Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a deadly and distressing cancer of the pleura, which is a lining around the lungs that is usually acquired by inhaling asbestos fibers. Even though there are now laws in the US limiting asbestos use, many people have had exposure to asbestos in other countries and through construction projects of older structures; often MPM develops decades after exposure. In fact, Texas has the 4th highest death rate from MPM in the nation. Treatment for mesothelioma has included surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, but these measures are not very effective. The median survival rate is usually measured in months, with the five-year survival rate at only 10%. A new ho...

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Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a deadly and distressing cancer of the pleura, which is a lining around the lungs that is usually acquired by inhaling asbestos fibers. Even though there are now laws in the US limiting asbestos use, many people have had exposure to asbestos in other countries and through construction projects of older structures; often MPM develops decades after exposure. In fact, Texas has the 4th highest death rate from MPM in the nation. Treatment for mesothelioma has included surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, but these measures are not very effective. The median survival rate is usually measured in months, with the five-year survival rate at only 10%. A new hopeful treatment strategy against this cancer targets a cell structure called “immune checkpoints.” Cancer cells use these immune checkpoints to hide from the body’s own immune system. The immune checkpoint for cancer is called “PD-1.” Using drugs (called “PD-1 inhibitors”) that can target this checkpoint and boost up our own immune system has shown encouraging results for patients with MPM. However, for unknown reasons, only about 50% of patients benefit from PD-1 inhibition. The research in this study would like to create a test that will determine which tumors can be effectively treated with a PD-1 inhibitor. Through this investigation, researchers will also better understand resistant tumor cells, with the goal of finding new ways to break down their defenses to PD-1 inhibitors.

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