Malignant Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma Overview from the Mayo Clinic
Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma Treatment Specialists
Mesothelioma Treatment by Paul H Sugarbaker Oncology Associates
Pilot Study for Mesothelioma Patients
Mesothelioma Treatment at UPMC
New Research for Malignant Mesothelioma
Dr Brian Loggie
Creighton Cancer Center Brings New Hope for a Rare Diagnosis
Creighton Cancer Center Brings New Hope for a Rare Diagnosis
Peritoneal Carcinomatosis (PC) has long been a challenging condition to treat. Among the several diagnoses included under this “umbrella” description (Pseudomyxoma peritonei, ovarian cancer, a variety of gastrointestinal cancers, etc.) malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) has been one of the most complex conditions to treat.
Recently, surgical oncologist and peritoneal carcinomatosis treatment specialist, Dr Brian Loggie, advised the PMP Pals’ Network of the innovative research being conducted at Creighton University for the treatment of MPM.
Dr Loggie tells PMP Pals:
“Our group at Creighton University identified mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene in some cases of MPM (reference below). One of these mutations was already known in lung cancer research and had implications for targeted therapy – a point mutation known as L858R. Using DNA sequencing techniques, we identified that in 9/29 (31%) of MPM cases that there were a variety of point mutations in EGFR.
We knew that the L858R mutation was activating the EGFR pathway but not about the status of 7 new mutations that we had found. Thus, in the laboratory, all mutations were laboriously reconstructed in full length EGFR and tested in a cell model.
All mutations were found to be activating the EGFR pathway. All increases in EGFR activity were successfully knocked down in the cell model using clinically available EGFR inhibitors.
These drugs are used successfully for targeted clinical treatment in patients with the L858R mutation in lung cancer. The theory is that these mutations can turn on an important pathway for tumor growth. These cells become “pathway addicted” which makes this an attractive biologic target for therapy. “
Dr Loggie continues:
“At present, renowned medical oncologist Dr Hedy Kindler, University of Chicago has begun a phase II clinical trial to take advantage of this exciting new potential treatment target in patients with MPM. This biologically targeted therapy could be applicable to up to about a third of patients with MPM. We have worked with her a lot in the past and she has been wonderful to work with. They can test for mutations there. We have resumed testing for EGFR mutations in our MPM patients.”
For additional details, refer to:
World J Surg Oncol 2010 Oct 13;8:88. Clinical implications of novel activating EGFR mutations in malignant peritoneal mesothelioma.
Peritoneal Carcinomatosis (PC) has long been a challenging condition to treat. Among the several diagnoses included under this “umbrella” description (Pseudomyxoma peritonei, ovarian cancer, a variety of gastrointestinal cancers, etc.) malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) has been one of the most complex conditions to treat.
Recently, surgical oncologist and peritoneal carcinomatosis treatment specialist, Dr Brian Loggie, advised the PMP Pals’ Network of the innovative research being conducted at Creighton University for the treatment of MPM.
Dr Loggie tells PMP Pals:
“Our group at Creighton University identified mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene in some cases of MPM (reference below). One of these mutations was already known in lung cancer research and had implications for targeted therapy – a point mutation known as L858R. Using DNA sequencing techniques, we identified that in 9/29 (31%) of MPM cases that there were a variety of point mutations in EGFR.
We knew that the L858R mutation was activating the EGFR pathway but not about the status of 7 new mutations that we had found. Thus, in the laboratory, all mutations were laboriously reconstructed in full length EGFR and tested in a cell model.
All mutations were found to be activating the EGFR pathway. All increases in EGFR activity were successfully knocked down in the cell model using clinically available EGFR inhibitors.
These drugs are used successfully for targeted clinical treatment in patients with the L858R mutation in lung cancer. The theory is that these mutations can turn on an important pathway for tumor growth. These cells become “pathway addicted” which makes this an attractive biologic target for therapy. “
Dr Loggie continues:
“At present, renowned medical oncologist Dr Hedy Kindler, University of Chicago has begun a phase II clinical trial to take advantage of this exciting new potential treatment target in patients with MPM. This biologically targeted therapy could be applicable to up to about a third of patients with MPM. We have worked with her a lot in the past and she has been wonderful to work with. They can test for mutations there. We have resumed testing for EGFR mutations in our MPM patients.”
For additional details, refer to:
World J Surg Oncol 2010 Oct 13;8:88. Clinical implications of novel activating EGFR mutations in malignant peritoneal mesothelioma.
Updated 02.21.13