The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the drug Keytruda (pembrolizumab) as a first-line treatment for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma that cannot be treated with surgery.
According to a report published by the FDA, the agency’s decision to approve Keytruda as a treatment for some patients with pleural mesothelioma came after clinical trials of the drug showed overall survival, progression-free survival, objective response rate, and duration of response compared with other mesothelioma treatments.
Keytruda, which was originally developed by the drugmaker Merck, has already been approved by the FDA to treat a number of other cancers, including breast cancer, lung cancer, and bladder cancer. The drug works by increasing the ability of the immune system to detect and fight off cancerous cells within the body.
The FDA had previously approved Keytruda as a secondary treatment for mesothelioma patients. However, with the agency’s recent decision, this drug will now be available to treat mesothelioma patients whose illness is not able to be treated through surgery.
Clinical Trials Show Improved Treatment Outcomes for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Patients Treated With Keytruda
A clinical trial known as KEYNOTE-483 compared the treatment outcomes of patients with pleural mesothelioma who were treated with Keytruda in combination with the drug pemetrexed and platinum-based chemotherapy compared to patients who were only treated with pemetrexed and chemotherapy.
Researchers found that mesothelioma patients who were treated with Keytruda had an average overall survival of 17.3 months, compared to an average of 16.1 months in patients who did not receive the drug.
The clinical trial also found that patients who were treated with Keytruda had an objective response rate of 52%, compared to just 29% in patients who only received chemotherapy. According to the National Cancer Institute, objective response rate represents the “percentage of people in a study or treatment group who have a partial response or complete response to the treatment within a certain period of time.”
The FDA noted that malignant mesothelioma patients treated with Keytruda showed no significant increase in side effects from the drug compared with patients who received chemotherapy treatment.
Individuals Exposed to Asbestos May Qualify for a Free Health Examination
If you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos in the workplace before 1982 and believe you have developed symptoms of mesothelioma cancer, asbestos lung cancer, or other diseases linked to asbestos exposure, you may be eligible to receive a free asbestos health examination courtesy of our law firm.
Individuals who are diagnosed with asbestos diseases such as mesothelioma or lung cancer may also be eligible to file a lawsuit against the companies responsible for their exposure, or to file a claim with one of the asbestos trust funds established to compensate victims of asbestos exposure.
To schedule your free health exam or to learn more about whether you may be eligible to file a asbestos lawsuit, contact the lawyers at Hissey Mulderig & Friend for a free legal consultation. You can contact our office by calling toll-free at 1-855-500-3734, or by filling out the free claims submission form located at the top of this page.
