Immunotherapies Offer New Hope for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Patients, Sparking Market Conversion
NEW YORK – Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), an aggressive cancer primarily linked to asbestos exposure, is seeing a surge of innovative treatment options that promise to reshape the market landscape. The disease, wich develops in the lining of the lungs, has historically presented significant challenges due to its rapid progression, resistance to conventional therapies, adn high mortality rate. However, recent advancements in immunotherapy and targeted drugs are offering new hope for patients.
MPM is characterized by symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, and weight loss.diagnosis typically involves a combination of imaging techniques like CT and PET scans, along with tissue analysis for histopathological confirmation. Accurate staging is crucial for effective treatment planning and prognosis.
A comprehensive report offers insights into the historical and current patient pool,forecasting trends for the disease across major markets. This analysis helps understand the factors driving patient trends through numerous studies and the perspectives of key opinion leaders. Epidemiological analysis covers the period from 2020 to 2034, segmented by total incident cases, gender-specific cases, age-specific cases, histology, stage, and line-wise treatment.
Traditionally, MPM management has involved a multimodal approach, including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy, often using drugs like pemetrexed, cisplatin, gemcitabine, and carboplatin, has been the cornerstone of treatment. however, surgery is feasible only for a select group of patients, and radiotherapy is mainly used for symptom control.
The limitations of these traditional methods have spurred the development of newer therapies,particularly immunotherapies and targeted drugs.
Key Immunotherapy Approvals
KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab): This PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor, developed by Merck, received U.S. FDA approval in september 2024 for first-line treatment of adults with unresectable advanced or metastatic MPM, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum-based chemotherapy. The approval was based on the KEYNOTE-483 trial, which demonstrated a significant survival benefit. KEYTRUDA’s approval marked a significant milestone as the first immunotherapy approved for MPM in the U.S. In November 2024, the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) issued a positive opinion on the same regimen for first-line treatment of unresectable nonepithelioid MPM. Regulatory review is ongoing in Japan.
Nivolumab and Ipilimumab: The combination of these two immune checkpoint inhibitors, targeting PD-1 and CTLA-4, respectively, was approved by the U.S. FDA in October 2020 as a first-line treatment for unresectable MPM. This approval was based on the CHECKMATE 743 study, which showed a significant survival benefit.
OPDIVO (nivolumab): As a monotherapy, OPDIVO was approved in Japan in August 2018 for patients with unresectable, advanced, or recurrent MPM that progressed following chemotherapy, based on data from the Phase II MERIT trial.
emerging Drugs and Companies
Several companies are developing promising new therapies for MPM, including immune therapies, gene therapies, and various combinations of investigational treatments.
AstraZeneca: Developing volrustomig (MEDI5752), a bispecific antibody targeting PD-1 and CTLA-4 checkpoints to boost anti-tumor immune responses. A Phase III clinical trial is underway to assess its safety and effectiveness in combination with carboplatin and pemetrexed. Results are expected post-2026.
Amphera: Developing MesoPher, an autologous dendritic cell-based immunotherapy aimed at triggering a targeted anti-tumor immune response. MesoPher is in Phase III trials and has demonstrated encouraging immunogenicity and a favorable safety profile.
PrECOG: Evaluating DuRvalumab in clinical trials.
Other Therapies in the Pipeline:
Thiostrepton (RSO-021) by RS Oncology
Galinpepimut-S by Sellas Life Sciences Group
CTX131 by CRISPR Therapeutics AG
VT3888 by Vivace Therapeutics
NUC-3373 (Fosifloxuridine Nafalbenamide) by NuCana plc
* A2B694 by A2 Biotherapeutics
Market Dynamics
The MPM market is characterized by unique dynamics influenced by both clinical and legal factors. Many patients have legal claims due to asbestos exposure,providing them with financial resources to cover the cost of treatments and supportive services. This can potentially ease access to premium-priced therapies.
The clinical pipeline for MPM is robust, featuring a range of innovative therapies under development with diverse mechanisms of action, including gene therapies, immunotherapies, arginine-degrading enzymes, and PD-L1 inhibitors. Promising pipeline candidates like MesoPher have received Orphan Drug Designation (ODD),offering key regulatory incentives such as seven years of market exclusivity in the U.S., reduced regulatory fees, and clinical trial subsidies.
The anticipated launch of these emerging therapies is poised to transform the MPM market landscape, offering new standards of care and unlocking opportunities for medical innovation and economic growth. As these cutting-edge therapies continue to mature and gain regulatory approval,they are expected to reshape the MPM market landscape,offering new standards of care and unlocking opportunities for medical innovation and economic growth.
