New Clinical Trial To Test Effectiveness Of Vorinostat (Zolinza) On Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Also Included In: Clinical Trials / Drug Trials
Article Date: 07 Sep 2007 - 2:00 PDT

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A phase III clinical trial is underway, in Maryland, at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, to determine how effective vorinostat is at treating patients with pleural malignant mesothelioma . Research is underway specifically about Vorinostat, also known as suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, is marketed under the brand name Zolinza. This mesothelioma clinical trial will try to ascertain the level of toxicity as well as any side effects that are occasioned in patients who have been prescribed Vorinostat (Zolinza) and to compare these results against those of patients who have been administered a placebo.

The title for this ongoing project is "A Phase III, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Oral Suberoylanilide Hydroxamic Acid (L-001079038) in Patients With Advanced Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Previously Treated With Systemic Chemotherapy " Raffit Hassan, MD, is the protocol chair for this study. The expected enrollment for the mesothelioma clinical trial study is 660 mesothelioma patients.

All patients in this malignant mesothelioma research study must have a histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma, which may be of the epithelial, sarcomatoid or mixed sub-type. All patients must also have previously gone through 1 or 2 standard systemic mesothelioma treatments that included pemetrexed disodium and either cisplatin or carboplatin. Researches on behalf of the mesothelioma clinical trial hope for some positive results and low side effects in the trial study of Vorinostat.

For more information on this clinical trial for mesothelioma please visit National Cancer Institute's webpage.

Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, a terminal form of cancer that develops primarily in the lining of the lungs and the abdomen. Research into malignant mesothelioma has shown that mesothelioma generally occurs at least fifteen years after the initial exposure to asbestos. Asbestos can cause mesothelioma even when the exposure occurs for a short duration. Asbestos fibers are microscopic and exposure can occur without a worker even knowing it. Mesothelioma occurs not only in people working directly with asbestos products but also in bystanders and family members exposed to asbestos dust.

Attorneys at LPK have prosecuted mesothelioma lawsuits in New York and New Jersey for more than twenty-five years. LPK has offices in New York and New Jersey and directly represents victims of asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, in both states.

http://www.cancer.gov