Researchers in Britain recently conducted a study of the impact of chemotherapy on patients suffering from malignant pleural mesothelioma, a deadly cancer caused by asbestos exposure. The findings of the study, which were published in the Lancet, a 185-year old British journal of medicine, stated that chemotherapy, along with other traditional cancer treatments, such as radiation, are generally only a means of symptom control in mesothelioma patients, as there is no known cure for this particular disease.
The study was initiated when researchers could not reach a consensus regarding the use of chemotherapy in mesothelioma patients. 409 participants, all suffering from malignant pleural mesothelioma cancer, were assigned to either a chemotherapy-plus-”active control treatments” regimen (chemo paired with steroids or analgesic medications) or a regimen of only active control treatments without chemotherapy.
Researchers met with the participants every 3-to-21 weeks and evaluated their progress. When compared, the group who received chemotherapy and active control treatments experienced what the researchers called “a small, non-significant survival benefit.” Quality of life was reportedly not affected when researchers followed up with both groups of participants.
The study concludes that, when malignant pleural mesothelioma patients receive chemotherapy in conjunction with other treatments, there is really no measurable benefit as far as survival rates or quality of life are concerned. One positive finding, however, relates to the use of the chemo drug Vinorelbine, which was shown to slightly increase survival rates when paired with other treatment methods. Researchers are now pursuing further study of this particular drug.
