New mesothelioma drug turns cancer’s own defenses against it
Scientists are testing a counterintuitive way to fight mesothelioma, an aggressive asbestos-linked cancer with few effective treatments. A new experimental mesothelioma drug kills cancer cells by disabling PRX3, an antioxidant defense that tumors use to survive intense oxidative stress. In an early clinical trial, it controlled disease progression in 67% of patients and produced encouraging…
Mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer linked to asbestos exposure, sees about 30,000 annual diagnoses globally. Treatment options are limited, with a median survival of 12 months and a five-year survival rate of around 10 percent. Brian Cunniff, a University of Vermont professor, explains the disease's significant unmet medical need.
An international team led by UVM researchers has developed an experimental drug that could offer a new approach to treating mesothelioma and potentially other cancers. Their research, published in Nature Communications, describes how blocking a key antioxidant enzyme called PRX3 could make cancer cells more vulnerable. The drug, RSO-021, has shown promising results in phase one clinical trials, with 67% of patients experiencing disease progression control and improved survival rates.
Written by urgent.news from ScienceDaily's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 1 other outlet
- New mesothelioma drug turns cancer’s own defenses against it sciencedaily.com
