Scientists and researchers at the National Cancer Institute in based in Bethesda, Maryland are seeking 40 new patients to try out a new malignant mesothelioma drug known as Gefitinib. As a fundamental requirement, these patients must not currently be having surgery or radiation as part of diagnosing methods and must have signs of or have been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma or related asbestos diseases such as pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma, as well as Asbestosis. Malignant Mesothelioma is layers of neoplasms or tumors that exist in the Pleural or Peritoneal surfaces of the lungs. Malignant mesothelioma is usually linked to occupational or environmental exposure to Asbestos and Asbestos containing products. Malignant mesothelioma occurs when cells of the Mesothelium become abnormal and spread or divide themselves without control or order.
Gefitinib
Gefitinib is also known as Iressa and is produced by a European pharmaceutical company known as AstraZeneca. There have been many clinical trials conducted already to test the effectiveness of Gefitinib as a Cancer treating drug, and some clinical trials have indicated this drug can shrink cancer tumors for patients in the advanced stages of Cancer (usually Stage IV). Gefitinib is also known to relieve some symptoms of Cancer and make better standards of living for Cancer patients. Unfortunately, on a clinical trial study of over 1700 patients, it was found conclusive that Gefitinib did not prolong the lives of cancer patients.
Gefitinib works by blocking the signals within cancer cells which then causes a series of chemical reactions that force the cells to grow and divide beyond control, a common characteristic of cancer or malignant cells. On the surface of many cancer cells, there are cell structures known as epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs) which allow a protein to become attached to them. When epidermal growth factor (EGF) attaches to the receptor, this leads to the creation of an enzyme known as tyrosine kinase (TK). This enzyme triggers chemical reactions inside of the cell and forces the cancer cells to grow and divide beyond control. Gefitinib therefore attacks the cancer cells by attaching itself to the EGF receptor and forcing it to deactivate itself or die. This inhibits the cancer cells from dividing and growing.
Clinical Trial Information
The upcoming clinical trial is the one below, and more information can be found on the company's website: www.astrazenecaclinicaltrials.com/clinicaltrials/iressa
Trial title: A Randomized, Double-blind, Phase III Comparative Trial of 2 Doses of ZD1839
(IRESSA ) in Combination With Gemcitabine and Cisplatin Versus Placebo in Combination
With Gemcitabine and Cisplatin in Chemotherapy-naive Patients With Advanced (Stage III or
IV) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (1839IL/0014)
(IRESSA ) in Combination With Gemcitabine and Cisplatin Versus Placebo in Combination
With Gemcitabine and Cisplatin in Chemotherapy-naive Patients With Advanced (Stage III or
IV) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (1839IL/0014)
Astra Zeneca is a world leading pharmaceutical company with a world-class biologics capability operating in over 100 countries. Visit their company website for more information.