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Mesothelioma patients may have a new drug treatment option sooner thanks to the FDA. The agency has approved a request from drug manufacturer Verastem to grant orphan drug status to VS-6063. The oral drug is designed to inhibit a critical signaling pathway inside the stem cells where cancer starts. VS-6063 is already being tested in ovarian and lung cancers and a major clinical trial in mesothelioma is set to begin soon. The trial will include 400 participants in 11 countries. The new status for VS-6063 is particularly exciting for mesothelioma, because there are few treatment options for the cancer which often kills within months. By reducing certain fees and relaxing some regulations, orphan drug status is designed to help move select drugs through the FDA approval process faster. Drugs that treat rare diseases such as mesothelioma are eligible to apply for orphan drug status. Meanwhile, mesothelioma researchers at New York University’s Lagone Medical Center are also focusing their efforts on stem cells. They say a protein receptor called ephrin B2 receptor (EPHB2) regulates the differentiation of stem cells and the formation of blood vessels that feed tumors. Their research suggests that EPHB2 may be a perfect target for new mesothelioma drugs. The team found that levels of EPHB2 were significantly elevated in all mesothelioma cell lines tested. The same was true in tissue samples from mesothelioma tumors. In contrast, EPHB2 levels were not elevated in normal mesothelial cells. When the researchers knocked down EPHB2 expression in the lab, there was a major decrease in the growth and spread of the mesothelioma cells. But the team made what they say is an even more exciting finding about EPHB2; They write, “Most notably, however, EPHB2 silencing resulted in a significant increase in apoptotic proteins and activity.” Apoptosis is the process by which mesothelioma cells undergo programmed cellular death. The research team theorizes that drugs that target EPHB2 expression could halt the growth or even kill mesothelioma cells. The research appears in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology. Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article. This article was written by a third party and its content reflects the views of the third party and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions or of Surviving Mesothelioma or Cancer Monthly. If anyone is in the unfortunate position to be suffering from Mesothelioma compensation they are likely to be offered with choice of treatments, which were dependent upon the several factors. To know more about Mesothelioma lung cancer just do visit us.
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