We’re still a long way from finding a cure for mesothelioma, but that doesn’t mean there’s no good news. A clinical trial has recently shown promise in increasing the survival rate of people with mesothelioma.
At the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting in June, Merck – a pharmaceutical company – announced the results of their phase 3 clinical trial of using immunotherapy drug Keytruda in conjunction with chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy & Keytruda vs. Chemotherapy Alone
In 2020, the FDA approved Keytruda for the treatment of mesothelioma. In this trial, 440 patients with advanced pleural mesothelioma were enrolled, with some patients randomly receiving Keytruda alongside chemotherapy treatment, and others only being given the chemotherapy treatment.
While some patients on Keytruda exhibited side effects – 16% ultimately had to be taken off of it – the study said, “At 12 months, the estimated progression-free survival rate was 26% for Keytruda plus chemotherapy versus 17% for chemotherapy alone.”
Improved Survival Rates For Pleural Mesothelioma
At the meeting, Merck showed that their use of Keytruda and chemotherapy reduced patients’ risk of death by 21%. The median overall survival rate increased from 16.1 months to 17.3 months, compared to patients who were only treated with chemotherapy.
A New Option For Those Ineligible for Surgery
Many mesothelioma patients are ineligible for surgery, especially those in the later stages of the disease. With options like Keytruda, there’s a possibility for them to find treatment to increase both their life expectancy and quality of life.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, we know what an uncertain, frightening time it can be. Contact Landry & Swarr today, and let us help you fight for the compensation, treatment, and care you deserve.