In the past year, scientists made promising advances in mesothelioma research. Some have already improved treatment options for current patients. Others may change how doctors diagnose and monitor mesothelioma in the future. Keep reading to review mesothelioma research highlights from the last year.
A New Form of Opdivo
Opdivo (nivolumab) is an immunotherapy drug known as a checkpoint inhibitor. It helps the immune system find and destroy cancer cells. Many mesothelioma patients receive it with Yervoy (ipilimumab) as their primary treatment.
Opdivo was originally approved as an intravenous (IV) infusion that can take a couple of hours. The new form of Opdivo is a direct injection, which takes less than 5 minutes.
This option may make treatment more accessible for those who struggle with the time commitment of infusion. It could also improve the patient experience by reducing discomfort and stress. This small advancement could make a huge difference for patients who live in more remote areas.
At this time, Yervoy has not been approved for direct injection. But research is ongoing, and we may see that change in the coming year.
Next-Gen Treatment Monitoring
Researchers shared a novel solution to an old problem this year. When any cancer patient undergoes treatment, doctors try to monitor its success. This helps them decide whether to stick with a specific drug or possibly switch to a different one.
For mesothelioma, it can be tough to tell if treatment is working. Traditional imaging techniques might make tumors look bigger or smaller than they are. To get around this, scientists decided to check for evidence of tumors in a place that’s easier to measure.
They tested for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in blood samples from mesothelioma patients. Comparing ctDNA levels before and during treatment showed researchers how well patients were responding.
For patients who didn’t respond to treatment, ctDNA levels didn’t change or increased. For those who responded well, ctDNA levels dropped. According to the study’s lead author, further research is required to verify this technology. But the results are promising and could make mesothelioma treatment decisions easier in the future.
Doctors Treat Mesothelioma Patient With 24 Rounds of PIPAC
Doctors in Germany may have set a record this year. They treated a single patient with 24 rounds of pressurized intraperitoneal chemotherapy (PIPAC). The peritoneal mesothelioma patient began treatment in 2017. At the time, his case was considered inoperable and came with a poor prognosis.
The patient opted for PIPAC instead of traditional chemotherapy. This type of chemo is given as a pressurized aerosol within the abdomen.
Over the course of 7 years, the patient underwent 24 separate PIPAC treatments. According to doctors, this approach stopped tumor growth for more than 2 years on at least 2 occasions. These repeated PIPAC procedures led to long-term survival with good quality of life.
PIPAC is a challenging treatment to administer and isn’t widely available in the United States. But cases like this may help generate interest and investment, which could make PIPAC more available to patients in this country.
What Does This Mean for Mesothelioma Patients?
For mesothelioma patients, 2025 brought key advancements that may improve treatment and diagnosis in the near future. Doctors and scientists continue looking for new ways to improve life expectancy and quality of life. And as 2026 builds on these successes, we’ll keep you updated on further advancements.
