We were honored to attend the 17th Annual International Conference of the International Mesothelioma Interest Group (iMig). The four-day event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, brought together leaders from around the world to discuss innovations and insights in mesothelioma research and care.

Our Oncology Nurse Navigator, Liz Logan, attended the conference to share and learn alongside other attendees, including scientists, clinicians, and patient advocates. It offered a unique opportunity to gather with colleagues from the United States, the Netherlands, Australia, Japan, and more.

“From a medical standpoint, the overwhelming feeling I got from being at iMig was hope. There are some brilliant minds doing amazing work across the world, and it’s a true collaboration — all sharing ideas and resources in our common purpose of improving and extending the lives of mesothelioma patients.”

Below are four key takeaways from this year’s conference.

1. Surgery Is Being Scrutinized But Still Holds Promise

Historically, mesothelioma surgery has been one of the most common treatment options for newly diagnosed patients. For pleural mesothelioma (cancer of the lung lining), doctors may recommend one of two surgeries: extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), which removes the lung on the affected side, or pleurectomy with decortication (P/D), which removes the cancer but leaves the lung in place.

Both of these surgeries are aggressive and can be painful, expensive, and hard to recover from. Because of this, researchers have been studying whether surgery truly helps mesothelioma patients live longer. One study, the MARS 2 trial, found that adding surgery to chemotherapy didn’t improve survival compared to chemotherapy alone.

In a session titled “The Future of Surgery in Pleural Mesothelioma,” Dr. Raphael Bueno of Brigham and Women’s Hospital explained that surgery still has a role, but only for the right patients. He also noted that systemic (whole-body) treatments such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy are improving every year.

Key things to note for the future of pleural mesothelioma surgery:

• Not everyone will be a candidate, nor should they be. The best results come from tailoring care to the patient’s cancer stage, status, and biology.
• Surgery for pleural mesothelioma should only be performed by experts in the field at specialized cancer centers.
• Good outcomes depend on a strong team of experts working together, including surgeons, oncologists, and radiologists.

Another key point about surgery’s viability is the cost of traveling to specialized cancer centers. Many patients don’t live within easy traveling distance from surgical centers of excellence, which can make surgery out of reach for some patients. For that reason, financial support is critical in the overall treatment picture.

2. Biomarkers May Help With Diagnosis, Treatment Response

Dr. Andrea Wolf, mesothelioma program director at Mount Sinai Hospital, spoke about the potential for biomarkers to help detect, treat, and monitor pleural mesothelioma. Because of mesothelioma’s long latency period and vague early symptoms, it often goes undetected at first. By researching biomarkers and other ways to more quickly detect the cancer, patients may have more treatment options and better outcomes.

Biomarkers are molecules in the blood or tissue that may indicate the presence of mesothelioma. Currently, the only biomarker testing for mesothelioma approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is MESOMARK, which measures SMRPs, or serum-measured soluble mesothelin-related peptides. Mesothelioma cells usually make more mesothelin than healthy cells.

Other potential biomarkers being researched include:

• Fibulin-3
• HMGB1
• miRNAs
• Osteopontin

By looking at biomarkers found in blood and tissue samples, doctors may one day get a clearer picture of how mesothelioma develops and how to treat it. This type of testing is still in the early phases of research, but it shows promise for the future.

Dr. Wolf explained how using several biomarkers together could give doctors more complete information about the disease. She also shared that advanced tools — like tests that examine a tumor’s unique features and even artificial intelligence — may eventually help personalize mesothelioma care and predict how the cancer might respond to treatment.

3. Patients Deserve to Be Treated Holistically

One key theme from the iMig conference was the need for health care professionals to evaluate and treat the whole patient, beyond their individual diagnosis and symptoms. One presentation highlighted the many struggles and experiences patients may be carrying under the surface — including social pain, emotional pain, and psychological pain — while the only “visible” pain is the physical symptoms.

Palliative care was an important component of this topic. Leaders noted there’s a misconception that palliative care is similar to hospice care, or only needed at the end of life. Instead, it focuses on relieving symptoms and improving comfort at any stage of the disease. When palliative care is introduced early on alongside active treatment, it can improve quality and even length of life.

Common palliative care tools include:

• Antidepressants
• Anti-inflammatory medicines
• Local pain-relief treatments
• Medications for pain management

Specialists also noted the importance of a healthy diet and exercise in patient outcomes. Research found that regular movement can help reduce stress on healthy cells, lower inflammation, and support the immune system — all of which can help the body better fight mesothelioma. Similarly, experts recommended plant-based, anti-inflammatory diets that can be adjusted to each patient’s needs.

“Hope evolves at every stage: hope for a good outcome, hope for a good treatment session, hope for dignity to be intact, hope for a peaceful end, hope for our loved ones to be ok.”
– Lizz Clarke, support nurse coordinator for Mesothelioma and Dust Diseases Australia (MADDA)

4. Genetic Mutations Offer Insight Into Nontraditional Diagnoses

Another topic getting more attention is how genetics may affect a person’s risk of developing mesothelioma. Not everyone exposed to asbestos gets sick, so researchers are studying whether certain inherited genetic risk factors could make someone more likely to develop mesothelioma after exposure. Understanding genetic risk could eventually help with earlier detection and better treatment planning.

At the iMig conference, several speakers shared their findings and theories around genetic mutations. The gene mutation most commonly associated with mesothelioma is BAP1, which stands for BRCA1-associated protein 1. People with this mutation may be more likely to develop mesothelioma even after lower levels of asbestos exposure.

Other gene mutations being studied include:

• CDKN2A
• CDKN2B
• TP53

Although more research is needed, early findings suggest certain genetic testing may help diagnose mesothelioma sooner. Further, more young patients are being diagnosed today, and it’s important for health care providers to consider mesothelioma even if the patient doesn’t match the traditional demographic profile (an older man with known occupational asbestos exposure).

Innovation and Hope: Key Themes in the International Mesothelioma Community

Bringing together leaders from across the globe, the 2025 iMig conference highlighted just how much progress is being made — and the strong sense of hope shared throughout the mesothelioma community.

Although there’s no cure for mesothelioma yet, advocates are fighting tirelessly to change that while improving patients’ lives every day.

Learn more about mesothelioma diagnosis, treatment, and the doctors making a difference in our Free Mesothelioma Guide.

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At the time, Keytruda was administered as an intravenous infusion, which could take more than 30 minutes per treatment. While effective, the infusion process required careful scheduling, longer clinic visits, and additional time for monitoring.

Now, the FDA has approved a new method that allows mesothelioma patients to receive their treatment in about 1 minute, dramatically reducing the time spent in a clinic or hospital. The injection also makes treatment more convenient and less disruptive to patients’ daily lives.

What Is the New Keytruda Injection for Mesothelioma?

Called Keytruda Qlex™, the new injection is a faster way to receive this immunotherapy. Keytruda Qlex is a subcutaneous immunotherapy , meaning it’s delivered under the skin instead of through a vein. It’s combined with a special enzyme known as berahyaluronidase alfa-pmph that helps the medicine absorb more quickly and evenly.

Unlike the traditional intravenous (IV) infusion, which requires patients to sit through a 30- to 40-minute procedure, subcutaneous Keytruda is given as a quick injection similar to a routine flu shot. Patients can receive their treatment in about 1 minute in their doctor’s office instead of going to the hospital.

Clinical studies have shown that this new injection delivers the same effectiveness as the traditional IV infusion.

By simplifying the administration process, Keytruda Qlex allows patients to focus more on recovery and quality of life while getting treatment to help their body fight this asbestos-related cancer.

“We are committed to putting patients first, as we work relentlessly to discover new options that may help patients manage their treatment in a way that fits their needs,” said Dr. Marjorie Green, senior vice president and head of oncology at Merck Research Laboratories.

What the Keytruda Injection Means for Mesothelioma Patients

For patients with mesothelioma, the new Keytruda injection makes a meaningful difference in day-to-day life, making treatment easier and less disruptive.

By simplifying the delivery method, patients can spend less time in medical settings and focus more on daily life, recovery, and overall well-being.

Benefits of Keytruda’s subcutaneous approval for mesothelioma include:

• Faster treatment: The injection takes about 1 minute, compared to 30-40 minutes for a traditional IV infusion.
• Less scheduling burden: Shorter appointments make it easier to fit treatment into daily routines and reduce the need to schedule sessions around work, caregiving, or travel.
• Reduced travel stress: Patients who live far from mesothelioma cancer centers or have limited mobility spend less time commuting for treatment.
• Maintains treatment effectiveness: Clinical trials show that the new injection is just as effective as the traditional IV infusion.
• Convenience for multiple rounds: Many mesothelioma patients require repeated treatments. The quicker, simpler administration reduces fatigue and logistical challenges associated with ongoing therapy.

“As part of supporting patients and families through their cancer journeys, we are excited to see patient-focused developments in subcutaneous cancer treatment that shorten administration time and may allow for more patients to receive treatment in multiple health care settings,” said Cancer Support Community Chief Executive Officer Sally Werner.

For those undergoing treatment for mesothelioma, the ability to receive therapy quickly and conveniently can make a significant difference in your quality of life.

Download our Free Immunotherapy Guide to learn how treatments like Keytruda help the immune system fight mesothelioma, what to expect during therapy, and how to manage side effects.

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Mesothelioma Hope is committed to helping patients and their families get support at every step of their cancer journey, no matter where they are.

At no cost, our team can help:

• Connect you to top local doctors
• Explain your treatment options
• Suggest tips for dealing with side effects
• Provide financial resources to pay for medical care

Our Patient Advocates are here to provide reliable information, compassionate support, and practical help so you can focus on what matters most — your health and quality of life.

Call (866) 608-8933 or contact us online to get started. We’re available 24/7 to answer your questions and point you in the right direction.

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This follows the Orphan Drug designation that VT3989 received in July 2025, which helps support the development of medicines for rare diseases like mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma can return even after treatment, and when it does, it is often more aggressive and harder to treat. The Fast Track status means the FDA will work closely with Vivace Therapeutics, the company behind VT3989, to help move the drug through testing and review more efficiently.

“We are pleased to receive fast-track designation from the FDA for VT3989 in this patient population, which is in desperate need of new and effective therapeutic options.”
– Dr. Sofie Qiao, president and CEO of Vivace Therapeutics

How VT3989 Works Against Mesothelioma

VT3989 is an oral medication that targets a cancer growth pathway known as the Hippo pathway. This pathway helps control how cells grow and repair themselves. In some cancers, including mesothelioma, the pathway can get “stuck on,” allowing cancer cells to keep multiplying.

VT3989 works by blocking TEAD proteins, which are key parts of this growth system. When these proteins are blocked, cancer cells may stop growing or become more sensitive to other mesothelioma treatments.

Earlier reports said VT3989 worked by blocking FAK and PYK2 proteins. New research shows it actually works by blocking TEAD proteins in the Hippo pathway. Because VT3989 focuses on cancer cells, it may cause fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy.

Get our Free Mesothelioma Guide to learn more about the latest treatments and clinical trials that are helping patients improve their prognosis.

What We Know from Clinical Trials

Researchers are studying VT3989 in an ongoing clinical trial at hospitals in the United States and Australia. So far, the results have been promising. Some patients saw their tumors shrink or stop growing.

The drug worked for both pleural mesothelioma (in the chest) and peritoneal mesothelioma (in the abdomen). Most side effects were mild to moderate and included fatigue, swelling, and protein in the urine.

The study is expanding to enroll more patients and will also test VT3989 combined with immunotherapy drugs like nivolumab (Opdivo®) and ipilimumab (Yervoy®). Researchers hope that combining these treatments will help patients live longer.

What the New FDA Status Means for Patients

The FDA’s Fast Track program helps new treatments for serious conditions move through the testing and approval process more quickly.

Here’s what that could mean for patients and families:

• Faster access to potential treatments. The company can share trial results with the FDA as they come in, which can shorten the review time.
• Continued support for research. The designation makes it easier for Vivace to keep funding and expanding clinical trials.
• Encouraging signal from the FDA. The agency’s decision shows it sees promise in VT3989 as a treatment for hard-to-treat mesothelioma.

The Fast Track designation doesn’t mean the drug has been approved yet, but it’s a positive step that could help bring this treatment to patients sooner.

Hope for Patients and Families

Each FDA milestone for VT3989 gives hope to patients and caregivers who are waiting for better treatment options. Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer, but progress like this shows that researchers are moving in the right direction.

If you or someone you love has mesothelioma, our nurses and Patient Advocates are here to help.

Our team can:

• Explain your diagnosis and treatment options
• Connect you with top mesothelioma specialists and active clinical trials
• Offer support for managing symptoms and side effects
• Help explore financial and legal options related to your care

You don’t have to face this alone. Contact Mesothelioma Hope now or call (866) 608-8933 to speak with us and get the help you need.

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“Patients will undergo three cycles of treatment and then have surgery. Post-surgery, they will continue immunotherapy for one year.”

Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Because symptoms can be mistaken for those of other conditions, the disease usually isn’t diagnosed until it’s in the later stages and harder to treat. This is why the average 5-year survival rate is just 10%.

In recent years, however, mesothelioma immunotherapy has helped many patients live longer, with 3-year survival rates rising to about 23%. Mesothelioma specialists at Baylor and Duke are now building on that progress by testing whether chemotherapy can enhance survival when combined with immunotherapy and surgery.

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More About This New Mesothelioma Trial

The study is being led by Dr. Taylor Ripley of the Baylor College of Medicine, along with Dr. Jeff Clarke and Dr. David Harpole of Duke Cancer Center. Together, they are testing whether adding chemotherapy to immunotherapy before surgery can improve long-term outcomes for patients with pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of this cancer.

The trial is designed to include 52 patients between the two treatment centers. Each participant will go through a detailed evaluation to confirm that their cancer can be removed surgically and that they are healthy enough to tolerate the combined treatments.

Once enrolled, patients will be randomly assigned to one of two groups:

• Immunotherapy group: These patients will receive two immune checkpoint inhibitors, tremelimumab (Imfinzi®) and durvalumab (Imjudo®). These medicines work by teaching the immune system how to destroy mesothelioma cells.
• Chemoimmunotherapy group: Patients in this group will receive the same two immunotherapy drugs plus the two chemotherapy drugs cisplatin and pemetrexed. Chemotherapy directly attacks and weakens cancer cells, which may make it easier for immunotherapy to work more effectively.

Both groups will receive three cycles of treatment before surgery. After surgery, all patients will continue immunotherapy for one year to help reduce the risk of the cancer coming back. Researchers will carefully track survival rates and treatment side effects to see if chemoimmunotherapy leads to stronger results compared to immunotherapy alone.

If successful, the trial could set a new standard of care for patients whose mesothelioma can be removed surgically.

A Patient’s Story: William Donchig

One of the first patients to enroll in the trial was William Donchig, who was diagnosed with stage 3 pleural mesothelioma after noticing his right lung repeatedly filled with fluid.

“I felt good, except my right lung kept filling up with fluid,” Donchig said. “I couldn’t breathe well, and an X-ray confirmed the problem.”

Donchig received three cycles of chemotherapy before undergoing surgery. He is now on immunotherapy every three weeks for a year as part of the study protocol. By joining the trial, Donchig not only gained access to advanced treatments but also contributed to research that could change mesothelioma care for future patients.

How Mesothelioma Hope Can Help You Enroll

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may qualify for the Baylor/Duke trial. Participating in a clinical study can give you access to emerging treatments at little or no cost to you.

Mesothelioma Hope’s team of nurses and Patient Advocates can help you:

• Understand the details of the Baylor/Duke trial
• Determine if you meet the eligibility requirements
• Connect with the trial coordinators to begin the enrollment process
• Get matched with other active trials in your area if this one isn’t the right fit

We’re here to answer your questions and guide you through every step. Call (866) 608-8933 now to get started.

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“This recognition highlights the promise of this novel approach against one of the most aggressive cancers in medicine,” said Dr. Stéphane Champiat, medical advisor at Oncovita.

While MVdeltaC is still in testing and not yet available to the public, this early milestone brings new hope to families facing this cancer. Learn more about how the drug works and what its FDA status could mean for patients.

How MVdeltaC Fights Mesothelioma

MVdeltaC is a genetically modified version of the measles virus that’s injected directly into tumors using a needle. It’s designed to selectively target pleural mesothelioma without harming healthy cells.

The virus enters cancer tumors using a protein called CD46, which is found in high amounts on mesothelioma cells. Once it gets inside, MVdeltaC multiplies and causes cancer cells to burst, shrinking tumors and triggering the immune system to attack any remaining cancer cells.

This two-pronged approach — directly killing cancer and boosting the immune response — is why MVdeltaC could be a game-changer in mesothelioma treatment immunotherapy.

In early animal trials, this newer form of immunotherapy shrank mesothelioma tumors by 60-70%. Even more exciting, when MVdeltaC was combined with another type of immunotherapy called a checkpoint inhibitor, the mice in the study experienced full survival (meaning their tumors completely disappeared).

Get our Free Mesothelioma Guide to better understand your diagnosis, explore the latest treatment options, and find support resources for you and your family.

What Makes MVdeltaC Different Than Other Immunotherapies?

What makes MVdeltaC an especially promising mesothelioma treatment is its ability to convert “cold” tumors that are able to sneak past the immune system to “hot” tumors that are more responsive to immunotherapy.

MVdeltaC works by:

• Targeting a Common Weak Spot in Cancer Cells. MVdeltaC uses a specific doorway called CD46 that is more common on cancer cells than healthy ones. This allows the therapy to go straight to the tumor while leaving normal tissues unharmed, possibly leading to fewer side effects than chemotherapy.
• Killing Cancer Cells From the Inside. Once inside a cancer cell, MVdeltaC multiplies only within those cells. This causes the cells to burst open and die, helping to shrink the tumor directly.
• Waking Up the Immune System. When the cancer cells die, they release danger signals that act like an alarm. This helps train the immune system to recognize and attack similar cancer cells elsewhere in the body.
• Boosting the Power of Other Immunotherapies. MVdeltaC works exceptionally well when combined with treatments like immune checkpoint inhibitors. In lab studies, this combination has led to the complete elimination of tumors in some cases.

“Receiving orphan drug designation from the FDA for MVdeltaC marks a major milestone for Oncovita and validates our approach of harnessing the potential of measles vaccine viruses to treat rare and devastating cancers such as pleural mesothelioma,” said Stéphane Altaba, chief executive officer of Oncovita.

What FDA Orphan Drug Status Means for Mesothelioma Patients

While it doesn’t guarantee approval, orphan drug status can make it easier and faster for companies to start mesothelioma clinical trials in humans and eventually bring the drug to market if those trials are successful.

In practical terms, this could lead to:

• Faster access to a new, potentially more effective treatment
• Longer survival, especially if current therapies stop working
• Increased focus on mesothelioma research, which has historically been underfunded
• A sense of validation that people with mesothelioma matter and deserve access to better treatments

Ultimately, it offers patients and families something they deeply need: the possibility of more time, better options, and renewed hope.

Get Help Accessing Mesothelioma Treatment

At Mesothelioma Hope, our team of Patient Advocates can help you understand your symptoms, find top specialists and treatments, and pursue compensation to pay for your medical care.

There’s no cost to speak with us, and we have registered nurses on staff who are here to help.

Reach out to us now or call (866) 608-8933 to get started. We can answer your questions, provide free resources, and help you navigate life with mesothelioma.

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This experimental drug is designed to help the immune system target cancer cells while also blocking the blood supply tumors need to grow. In an early-phase clinical trial involving 31 patients with pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma, more than half saw their tumors shrink, and over 90% had their tumors either shrink or stop growing for a period of time.

“The results presented are scientifically meaningful despite the small sample size.”
– OncLive

While more research is needed to confirm the long-term safety and effectiveness of this treatment, these early results offer hope for a new option in the fight against this aggressive cancer.

What Is BNT327/PM8002, and How Does It Work?

BNT327/PM8002 is a type of immunotherapy being tested as a treatment for mesothelioma. It’s designed to target two different proteins that help mesothelioma grow and hide from the immune system: PD-L1 and VEGF-A.

• PD-L1 is a protein that some tumors use to “turn off” immune cells. By blocking PD-L1, BNT327/PM8002 helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells.
• VEGF-A is a protein that tumors use to grow new blood vessels and get nutrients. Blocking VEGF-A can slow or stop tumor growth by cutting off their blood supply.

By targeting both of these proteins at the same time, BNT327/PM8002 aims to boost the body’s immune response and limit the tumor’s ability to grow. It’s given along with standard chemotherapy in hopes of making treatment more effective for people with advanced pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma.

Most patients did experience side effects, which is expected with chemotherapy. Some common side effects included low blood counts, nausea, and protein in the urine. Serious side effects happened in about one-third of patients, but no one died from treatment-related causes.

Even though this was a small study, the early results are promising and suggest this drug could become part of future mesothelioma treatment plans.

Get our Free Mesothelioma Guide to learn more about treatment options, top doctors, and compensation available for medical care.

About the BNT327 Clinical Trial Results: What It Means for You

Early results from the BNT327 clinical trial are encouraging for those with mesothelioma cancer that can’t be treated with surgery.

The findings indicate that BNT327/PM8002 may be particularly effective in treating peritoneal mesothelioma, which showed a higher tumor response rate compared to pleural mesothelioma.

The study yielded many key takeaways:

• New hope for treatment: This drug combination may offer a new option for people with mesothelioma that can’t be treated with surgery.
• Better results for some: Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma responded particularly well, showing higher rates of tumor shrinkage and disease control. Patients with pleural mesothelioma saw less dramatic, but still meaningful, results.
• Stronger response: Over half of mesothelioma patients had tumor shrinkage, and 100% of peritoneal mesothelioma patients saw their tumors either shrink or stop growing.
• Manageable side effects: Side effects were common and in many cases serious, but no treatment-related deaths were reported. Most were manageable with dose adjustments or supportive care.
• Still in testing but showing promise: BNT327/PM8002 is still being studied and has not yet been approved. More research is needed to confirm its benefits in larger and more diverse groups. Still, this study marks real progress in the search for better mesothelioma treatments.

While BNT327/PM8002 is still in clinical trials, it may eventually become part of a more effective treatment plan for mesothelioma. If you or a loved one is facing this disease, ask your mesothelioma doctor whether a clinical trial could be a good fit for you.

Find Mesothelioma Treatment Near You

Mesothelioma Hope’s team of Patient Advocates can help patients and their families understand their treatment options and get connected with top specialists.

Doctors may wish to pursue a combination of treatments, like:

• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Immunotherapy
• Radiation

Contact us now. We’ll walk you through your options ahead of time so you can get the most out of your appointments.

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Combating misinformation and understanding mesothelioma facts can help empower you and your family to fight this cancer and make informed decisions about your health.

Learn more about 10 of the biggest mesothelioma myths in 2025 below.

Myth #1: Only Those Who Work Directly With Asbestos Are At Risk

There’s a misconception that only people who served in the military or worked jobs where asbestos exposure was common are at risk of mesothelioma.

When asbestos fibers are released, they can linger in the air or settle in clothing, hair, water supplies, and food.

For example, if a blue-collar worker comes home with asbestos fibers on their clothes, their spouse or children could unknowingly breathe in these fibers and develop mesothelioma decades later.

Family members could have also been exposed to asbestos by:

• Living in a home built with asbestos products
• Visiting a family member on a job site
• Washing clothes covered in asbestos dust

There is no safe level of asbestos exposure, and even a single fiber can increase someone’s risk of mesothelioma.

Learn more about risk factors for mesothelioma and what to do if someone you love was diagnosed. Get your Free Mesothelioma Guide shipped overnight.

Myth #2: Mesothelioma Only Affects Older Men

Mesothelioma primarily affects older men who worked with asbestos-containing materials 10-50 years ago at their job sites. However, they’re not the only people at risk of this cancer.

Misconceptions about who develops mesothelioma can be dangerous since individuals may be less likely to push for testing or not be taken seriously when they come to their doctor with symptoms.

“My symptoms were written off, as it is with a lot of young women who are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. I’d say every woman that I’ve talked to, especially a young woman who has had peritoneal mesothelioma, was misdiagnosed at first.”

Asbestos has also been found in talc-based cosmetic products like body powder and makeup.

Increased awareness and better screening and diagnostics have led to more people being diagnosed at younger ages as well as a better understanding of mesothelioma in women.

Myth #3: There Are Other Causes of Mesothelioma Besides Asbestos

Because mesothelioma is such a rare cancer, many people don’t understand how it forms. Unlike lung cancer, mesothelioma isn’t caused by smoking. It’s also not caused by genetic mutations or other biological factors.

As the topic of genetics becomes more prevalent in medical research, there’s been some confusion about how certain genes — particularly BAP1 — influence the development of mesothelioma.

Patients with BAP1 mutations may be more vulnerable to developing mesothelioma, but a BAP1 mutation cannot cause this cancer without asbestos exposure.

Similarly, smoking cigarettes can make it harder for the body to fight mesothelioma cells, but doesn’t actually cause the cancer.

“If there’s no asbestos, there’s no mesothelioma, it’s that simple. If you have mesothelioma and you say, ‘Well, I’ve never been exposed to asbestos,’ you were exposed to it. You just don’t know where or when.”

Myth #4: Mesothelioma Is an Automatic Death Sentence

Getting a mesothelioma diagnosis can be scary. Some of the survival statistics are discouraging, and there’s no known cure yet. But treatments are improving all the time, and there are many long-term survivors living life to the fullest today.

Examples of mesothelioma survivors who have outlived their prognosis include:

• Alexis Kidd, 18-year survivor
• Julie Gundlach, 19-year survivor
• John Stahl, 6-year stage 4 survivor

General survival statistics don’t represent your unique situation, so there are reasons to stay hopeful after a diagnosis.

“Patients assume when they have this disease that they can’t survive and can’t live with it, even though many of our patients are walking around living relatively normal lives.”

Learn more about patients who beat the odds and outlived their prognosis in our Free Survivors Guide.

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Myth #5: There’s No Cure, So Mesothelioma Treatment Isn’t Worth It

Mesothelioma is an aggressive disease, but many patients are living longer with treatment than in years past. Ongoing research and emerging mesothelioma treatment options are providing new hope to patients with this cancer.

The standard mesothelioma treatment is typically surgery and chemotherapy, but immunotherapy is emerging as a newer treatment. Many patients are seeing promising results with this therapy, which supports the body’s immune system to fight cancer more effectively.

“Until [we find a cure], you want to have the cancer successfully treated, and it’s not any different than diabetes. It’s a lifelong illness. You’re not cured from it — but you can be treated very successfully, and you can live a long life. The same kind of expectation should be applied to mesothelioma.”

Even patients with late-stage cancer have seen promising results from treatment. For example, John Stahl was diagnosed with stage 4 mesothelioma, which has an average life expectancy of only 1 year. Thanks to chemotherapy, John is still living life to the fullest today — over 6 years after his diagnosis.

Additionally, many patients have received palliative care to ease symptoms. Palliative care can be requested at any point, whether a patient undergoes life-extending treatments or not.

Myth #6: Insurance Will Cover All Mesothelioma Treatment Costs

Health insurance can be a helpful tool in the fight against mesothelioma, but there are often hoops to jump through and gaps in coverage. Health care costs in 2025 are high and continuing to rise, and insurance doesn’t always cover everything.

Working with a mesothelioma specialist can mean traveling to a different city or state, and the costs associated with flights, gas, hotels, and meals aren’t covered by insurance. Additionally, certain tests, specialist appointments, or alternative treatments may not be covered.

However, patients may find financial relief with legal support. Many families have accessed compensation to pay for treatment by filing claims with asbestos trust funds or lawsuits against asbestos companies that made them sick.

“Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit has greatly impacted my family’s life. It has allowed me to seek the medical treatment that I absolutely need without the fear of losing my home.”

Myth #7: Any Doctor Can Treat Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a very rare disease. Although experienced oncologists (cancer doctors) may know how to generally treat cancer, mesothelioma has specific nuances that the average doctor may not understand.

Top mesothelioma doctors are also plugged into the latest research and newest treatments, and can recommend alternative therapies and palliative care to support overall well-being and recovery.

“If your doctor is not a professional and has not lived it and breathed it, get another oncologist. You need someone experienced — someone who’s going to fight for you and with you.”

Use our Free Doctor Match service to get connected with a mesothelioma specialist near you.

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Myth #8: You Have to Know How You Were Exposed to Get Compensation

Many mesothelioma patients have no idea when or how they were exposed to asbestos. Because of this, they may hesitate to pursue legal action.

Some people remember specifically where they were exposed to asbestos, even if they didn’t realize it was dangerous at the time.

The most common ways people are exposed include through military service and jobs that relied on asbestos-containing products, such as construction, firefighting, and plumbing. There are also many nontraditional sources of exposure.

Experienced mesothelioma attorneys, like those at our partner law firm Simmons Hanly Conroy, know exactly where to look to find out how a patient may have been exposed.

“We have an extensive database of documents that we’ve collected over 25 years. By utilizing this database, we can get our clients the compensation they deserve.”

Myth #9: Asbestos Can Be Removed While Wearing a Mask

If you suspect or know that there is asbestos in your home or workplace, you may think it’s best to remove it immediately. However, it may be safer to leave asbestos materials in place to avoid releasing fibers into the air.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), asbestos-containing materials are classified as either friable or non-friable. If a product is friable, it can be crushed by very slight pressure (like putting a hand on it).

Asbestos products can become friable if they’re damaged or naturally weaken over time. Friable asbestos materials can release fibers into the air and put anyone nearby at risk.

Myth #10: Asbestos Is Banned and No Longer Used

For decades after other nations worldwide had banned asbestos, the United States still hadn’t.

Additionally, the new administration has announced plans to delay or reconsider the ban, so there’s no guarantee it will actually take effect.

Over 3,000 consumer goods made with asbestos products may still lurk in homes and workplaces built before the early 1980s.

Asbestos can be found in:

• Brake pads
• Ceiling and floor tiles
• Cement
• Electrical and plumbing systems
• Insulation
• Plaster
• Siding
• Other materials

Advocates are fighting for a global ban on asbestos to protect people around the world from this toxic substance.

“Asbestos isn’t a problem of the past. It’s a danger hiding in homes, schools, and workplaces today. And until it’s fully banned, I will keep fighting.”

Get the Facts About Mesothelioma

There’s a lot of misinformation surrounding mesothelioma and asbestos, but knowing the truth can help you make informed decisions about your health and future.

Our team is here to help you get the facts about malignant mesothelioma.

We can help you:

• Understand your risk of mesothelioma
• Find a cancer specialist and top treatments
• Pursue asbestos compensation
• Get support during this difficult time

While facing a cancer like mesothelioma is never easy, there’s hope to be found in truth and facts.

Give us a call at (866) 608-8933 or request a Free Mesothelioma Guide today.

The post 10 Myths and Misconceptions About Mesothelioma and Asbestos in 2025 appeared first on MesotheliomaHope.com.

More specifically, researchers concluded that patients who underwent the HITHOC procedure  after surgery lived longer than those who only received surgery.

During HITHOC, doctors deliver heated chemotherapy directly into the chest cavity immediately after tumor-removing surgery. The high temperature enhances the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs, helping to destroy microscopic cancer cells and prevent the cancer from coming back. The procedure typically lasts 60–90 minutes and is performed while the patient is still under anesthesia.

By combining surgery with HITHOC, patients battling mesothelioma may have a better chance of long-term survival.

What Did the HITHOC Researchers Look At?

The research team examined data from six previously published studies involving HITHOC treatment for pleural mesothelioma, a specific type of this cancer that develops in the lung lining.

They looked at patients who had surgery with or without HITHOC. Most had pleurectomy with decortication (P/D), a lung-sparing surgery. Only a few had extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), a more invasive procedure that removes an entire lung.

Key variables across the HITHOC mesothelioma studies included:

• Duration and temperature of the HITHOC treatment
• Types and doses of chemotherapy drugs used
• Timing of chemotherapy in relation to surgery

Despite differences in treatment details, most studies showed improved survival rates in the patients who received HITHOC.

Not every patient qualifies for HITHOC. It’s generally recommended for those healthy enough to undergo surgery and whose cancer is confined to the chest cavity. Your care team will determine if this treatment is right for you.

Get our Free Mesothelioma Guide for essential information on top treatments, doctors, and how to pay for your medical care.

Key Findings on HITHOC Treatment for Pleural Mesothelioma

Results showed that adding HITHOC after surgery may significantly improve life expectancy in patients with pleural mesothelioma.

Here’s what the review found:

• Patients who had surgery plus HITHOC lived between 13 and 35 months, compared to 11 to 22.8 months for those who had surgery alone.
• In several studies, patients who received HITHOC had more time before their cancer returned (progression-free survival).
• One study found that patients treated with EPP and radiation therapy lived longer (29 months) than those treated with HITHOC (11 months), suggesting that HITHOC may not be superior in every case.

The researchers emphasized the need for more clinical trials to better understand how HITHOC compares with other mesothelioma treatments and who may benefit most.

Get Help Finding a Clinical Trial

Our oncology nurse navigator Liz Logan can help match you or a loved one with the right clinical trial. Call (866) 608-8933 today to get started.

What the HITHOC Review Means for Mesothelioma Patients

For patients who can get surgery, adding HITHOC may help them live months or even years longer compared to surgery alone.

Standard treatment for pleural mesothelioma typically includes surgery, chemotherapy, and sometimes radiation. HITHOC is considered an emerging therapy. However, this research supports it as a promising follow-up therapy to improve survival and quality of life.

Mesothelioma patients often face limited treatment options, so this approach may offer a stronger and more effective starting point for care.

HITHOC is currently available at select cancer centers and often as part of clinical trials. A mesothelioma specialist can help determine if you qualify.

Get Free Help Fighting Mesothelioma

At Mesothelioma Hope, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Our team of Patient Advocates can connect you with top doctors, treatment centers, and clinical trials — all at no cost to you.

We can also send you a Free Mesothelioma Guide with information on:

• Treatment options like HITHOC
• Options for financial compensation
• How to access specialized care

Contact us today to learn more about your options and get the support you deserve.

The post HITHOC for Mesothelioma May Be More Effective Than Surgery Alone appeared first on MesotheliomaHope.com.

The clinical trial was conducted by researchers at the University of Leicester and the Cancer Research UK Southampton Clinical Trials Unit (SCTU), with funding from the charity Asthma + Lung UK.

“We have shown for the first time that this kind of drug can improve progression-free survival for mesothelioma,” explained Professor Gareth Griffins, Director of the SCTU. “This gives enormous hope to those patients and their families.”

What Did the NERO Study Show?

The NERO study evaluated whether niraparib could help control mesothelioma after first-line (initial) treatments had failed. The study enrolled 88 patients across 11 hospitals in the UK.

All patients in the study had mesothelioma that had come back or gotten worse after their first round of chemotherapy, and they had no other approved treatments available.

One group received daily oral doses of niraparib, while the other received palliative care but no additional treatment to fight the cancer. The researchers wanted to determine the length of time patients lived before their mesothelioma returned or worsened.

The results were modest but meaningful:

• Patients on niraparib saw a 27% reduction in the risk of cancer progression or death compared to those receiving palliative care.
• On average, niraparib delayed disease progression by 1.5 months, giving patients more time before their cancer advanced.
• Some experienced even longer disease control with niraparib, suggesting that certain groups of patients might benefit more from this drug.

Get our Free Mesothelioma Guide to learn more about treatment options, top doctors, and pursuing financial compensation for medical care.

What Is Niraparib, and How Does It Work?

Niraparib is a PARP inhibitor. It works by targeting Poly ADP-Ribose Polymerase (PARP), an enzyme involved in repairing damaged cell DNA. By blocking PARP, niraparib prevents cancer cells from repairing their DNA, causing them to accumulate damage and eventually die.

While niraparib has been used as a maintenance treatment for other forms of cancer, this is the first time it’s been used as a targeted therapy for mesothelioma. Targeted treatment is unique in that it selectively kills cancer cells while sparing healthy ones.

“So far, it’s been almost a miracle in my case,” said one mesothelioma patient who received the drug. “I’ve had 7 really good years and been able to enjoy life almost to the full, so that’s wonderful.”

Patients who received niraparib experienced a progression-free survival of 4.14 months versus 2.76 months for the group that received only standard care.

“Although this increase may seem small, for this group of patients who have very few treatment options and a generally poor prognosis, this is a significant step forward,” added Professor Griffins.

What This Means for Mesothelioma Patients & Families

The NERO study highlights how ongoing mesothelioma research is making a difference for a patient community that often feels overlooked.

This study offers valuable insights into:

• A possible new line of treatment: Currently, there’s no well-established second-line (follow-up) therapy for mesothelioma if the initial treatment fails. Niraparib offers potential for patients who’ve already exhausted all their treatment options.
• Improved disease control: The study showed that niraparib can slow disease progression by an average of 1.5 months, which is a win for a cancer that typically progresses quickly. Some patients experienced far longer disease control.
• Potential for more personalized treatment options: Because some patients benefited far more than others, it may mean that certain genes, types, or cell types of mesothelioma may respond better to this treatment.
• Proof of new impacts for medical care: This is the first time a PARP inhibitor has shown benefit in controlling this disease, proving that mesothelioma may be vulnerable to targeted therapy.

“We really hope this step into more personalized medicine could further help these patients who desperately need better treatment options,” stated Professor Griffins.

Get Access to Top Mesothelioma Treatments

New treatments like niraparib may be the key to helping more mesothelioma patients live longer, even if their cancer has returned despite earlier therapies.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, our Patient Advocates are here to support you at every step.

We can help your family:

• Get a second opinion to confirm a diagnosis
• Connect with top mesothelioma doctors
• Find the right clinical trial
• Pursue compensation to help pay for treatment

We understand what you’re going through is difficult, but it’s essential to act quickly. This cancer can be aggressive, so it’s important to find help fast.

Contact us now. We can answer your questions and point you in the right direction — at no cost.

The post Niraparib Extends Life for Mesothelioma Patients, NERO Trial Finds appeared first on MesotheliomaHope.com.

Many families across the country are affected by mesothelioma, and continued research is needed to identify better ways to diagnose, treat, and ultimately cure this disease.

May Is National Cancer Research Month

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) established National Cancer Research Month to show how science is helping people live longer, healthier lives after a cancer diagnosis.

Mesothelioma is a tough cancer to treat. Only around 3,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with it each year, and many patients don’t show symptoms until the disease has already spread. However, more mesothelioma patients are finding hope thanks to new research that has improved diagnostic tools and treatment options.

During National Cancer Research Month 2025, explore the latest advancements in mesothelioma care, and consider supporting research through donations or by joining a clinical trial.

Get our Free Mesothelioma Guide to read about treatments that could help you or a loved one live longer.

Why Mesothelioma Research Is So Important

National Cancer Research Month 2025 highlights the important progress being made to better manage cancers like mesothelioma.

A big part of this progress comes from clinical trials, where doctors test new treatments to see how safe and effective they are.

Mesothelioma clinical trials help:

• Continue the search for a cure
• Discover new ways to diagnose and treat this cancer
• Improve the prognosis (health outlook) of more patients
• Refine standard treatments and tests

“Things have improved somewhat, but not as much as I would like. That’s why we continue to do research — to try and make the treatment better. The rate of research is accelerating substantially.”

The AACR notes that there are more than 18 million cancer survivors living in the U.S. today. This number is projected to grow to 26 million survivors by 2040 thanks to lifesaving cancer research.

3 Recent Mesothelioma Cancer Research Breakthroughs

Even though mesothelioma is very rare, research efforts have made great strides in helping patients extend their survival and spend more time with loved ones.

Below, get the latest information on three crucial areas of mesothelioma research: immunotherapy, emerging treatments, and improved diagnostic tools.

1. Immunotherapies

Mesothelioma immunotherapy allows the body’s immune system to more effectively seek out and destroy cancer cells. This type of therapy is proof that cancer research can lead to significant benefits for mesothelioma patients.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an immunotherapy drug called Keytruda® (pembrolizumab) to treat mesothelioma in September 2024. A recent trial showed that patients with advanced mesothelioma lived for almost a year longer when treated with Keytruda and chemotherapy.

This breakthrough follows the approval of the first two immunotherapy drugs for mesothelioma, Opdivo® (nivolumab) and Yervoy® (ipilimumab), in October 2020.

Many other mesothelioma immunotherapies are being studied in clinical trials, including Imfinzi® (durvalumab), Imjudo® (tremelimumab), and Tecentriq® (atezolizumab).

2. Emerging Treatments

Researchers continue to investigate new mesothelioma treatments that could help improve patient life expectancy.

Notable emerging mesothelioma treatments include:

• Cryotherapy: Doctors freeze mesothelioma tumors to destroy them. Recent studies note that cryotherapy may be especially useful for mesothelioma recurrence (where tumors come back after initial treatment) and as a palliative therapy for pain relief.
• Gene therapy: This changes the genes of mesothelioma cells, making them easier to destroy. A new gene therapy, Reqorsa®, showed encouraging results in a preclinical study, giving hope for its use in treating mesothelioma and lung cancer.
• Photodynamic therapy: Mesothelioma cells are exposed to medication that makes them sensitive to light. Researchers noted that using immunotherapy made photodynamic therapy more effective for mesothelioma in a 2025 Cancer Research Communications study.

Doctors are also looking for ways to improve existing mesothelioma treatments and how to combine different therapies to benefit more patients.

3. Improved Diagnostic Tools

Outside of new treatments, cancer research also studies ways to more effectively diagnose mesothelioma. If a mesothelioma diagnosis is made before the cancer spreads, patients may be eligible for a wider range of treatments.

A 2025 study in Lung Cancer noted how a technique called cryobiopsy could help diagnose pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs (pleura).

Cryobiopsy involves freezing part of the pleura to extract a tissue sample for review under a microscope. Cryobiopsy could be more effective than a standard biopsy, which is currently the benchmark in confirming a diagnosis.

Another study from Mayo Clinic noted how blood-based DNA testing could help doctors more easily diagnose mesothelioma. This involves the use of cell-free DNA. Doctors connect pieces of DNA to mesothelioma cells so they will show up in blood samples.

How to Participate in National Cancer Research Month 2025

You and your family can play a vital part in advocating for more research into mesothelioma and other cancers.

You can get involved by:

• Donating to organizations: The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation and the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization are just two of many groups that directly support mesothelioma research.
• Joining a clinical trial: Ask your mesothelioma doctor if there are clinical trials that could help you or a loved one. Participating in a clinical trial may give you access to new therapies and help further the medical community’s understanding of this cancer.
• Raising awareness: Because mesothelioma is so rare, it’s important to spread the word about it and encourage others to support research efforts.

Any way you choose to participate, no matter how big or small, will make an impact during National Cancer Research Month.

Get Help Accessing New Mesothelioma Treatments

Thanks to diagnostic and treatment options currently being studied, patients may live longer, experience fewer symptoms, and find hope.

At Mesothelioma Hope, we closely follow the latest cancer research breakthroughs so we can help as many families as possible.

Our Patient Advocates can connect you with:

• New mesothelioma treatments and clinical trials
• Skilled doctors and cancer centers in your area
• Support options to navigate life after a diagnosis

Get our Free Mesothelioma Guide or call (866) 608-8933 to see how we can assist you or a loved one.

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