Novel and Promising Systemic Treatment Approaches in Mesothelioma

Opinion statement There was limited progress in the development of novel systemic approaches in the treatment of advanced malignant mesothelioma for years following the publication of the pivotal phase III trial of Vogelzang et al. that established the cisplatin/pemetrexed regimen as a standard 1st-line systemic therapy. Since then, over the last several years, a significant step forward has been made, with incorporation of immune checkpoint inhibitors and anti-angiogenic agents. In addition, better appreciation of mesothelioma biology has allowed detection of novelmolecular therapeutic targets. All the above-mentioned strategies, along with the additional promising approaches represented by adoptive T cell therapy, dendritic cell therapy, cancer vaccines, oncoviral therapy, and agents targeting mesothelin are discussed in this review. The clinical research to identify effective biologic targets and treatment combinations in malignant mesothelioma is ongoing.

Automated summary

In recent years, significant progress has been made in the treatment of advanced malignant mesothelioma, with the incorporation of immune checkpoint inhibitors and anti-angiogenic agents, and a better understanding of mesothelioma biology. Ongoing clinical research aims to identify effective biologic targets and treatment combinations in malignant mesothelioma.