Recently, researchers have been investigating the use of peginterferon as a treatment for mesothelioma cancer.
Article by Miranda Sudo
Pegasys, also known generically as peginterferon, is a prescription antiviral drug currently used to treat Hepatitis B and C. It’s a type of immunotherapy that combines interferon, a human protein produced by the body to fight infection and diseases, and polyethylene glycol, which helps interferon stay active for longer. It’s administered through regular injections to stimulate your immune system to fight infection more effectively (U.S. National Library of Medicine).
Recent Clinical Trials
Trizell, a British biotech company, has been testing interferon as a treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Phase II of its clinical trial showed promising results. The trial, which tested the drug on 40 patients who were newly diagnosed or had failed standard chemotherapy, had an overall disease control rate of 87.5%, and median survival time almost doubled to 17 months. The company is currently in phase III of the trial and is testing the drug on approximately 300 patients who previously failed chemotherapy (PR Newswire).
In 2016, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania conducted a study to see how patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma responded to interferon in combination with chemotherapy. Patients in the trial who received the interferon with second-line chemotherapy had an overall median survival of 21 months, which was significantly higher than the 7 months observed in historical control groups (Sterman).
Trizell is one of many institutions across the globe that are now in Phase III of the clinical trial testing the effectiveness of interferon in combination with celecoxib (a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) and gemcitabine (a chemotherapy drug) to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma. It will compare the survival of patients who receive celecoxib and gemcitabine alone vs. in combination with interferon. It is expected to be completed by 2024 (USCF).
References
PR Newswire (2019, March 20). Trizell Ltd. announces phase 3 pivotal study of Interferon alfa-2b gene therapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma. Trizell Ltd. announces Phase 3 pivotal study of interferon alfa-2b gene therapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma. Retrieved October 21, 2022, from https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/trizell-ltd-announces-phase-3-pivotal-study-of-interferon-alfa-2b-gene-therapy-in-malignant-pleural-mesothelioma-300815572.html
Sterman, D. H., Alley, E., Stevenson, J. P., Friedberg, J., Metzger, S., Recio, A., Moon, E. K., Haas, A. R., Vachani, A., Katz, S. I., Sun, J., Heitjan, D. F., Hwang, W.-T., Litzky, L., Yearley, J. H., Tan, K. S., Papasavvas, E., Kennedy, P., Montaner, L. J., Albelda, S. M. (2016, July 31). Pilot and feasibility trial evaluating immuno-gene therapy of malignant mesothelioma using intrapleural delivery of adenovirus-ifnα combined with chemotherapy. American Association for Cancer Research. Retrieved October 21, 2022, from https://aacrjournals.org/clincancerres/article/22/15/3791/79283/Pilot-and-Feasibility-Trial-Evaluating-Immuno-Gene
UCSF. (2018, October 18). UCSF mesothelioma trial: Rad-IFN administered with celecoxib & gemcitabine in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. UCSF Clinical Trials. Retrieved October 21, 2022, from https://clinicaltrials.ucsf.edu/trial/NCT03710876
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2016, June 15). Peginterferon alfa-2b (PEG-intron): Medlineplus Drug Information. MedlinePlus. Retrieved October 21, 2022, from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a605030.html
