Photodynamic Therapy
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a mesothelioma treatment method often used in combination with other treatments, such as drugs or surgery. PDT uses light to kill cancerous cells. Photodynamic therapy is still in an experimental stage for treatment of mesothelioma.
Initially, the patient receives a photosensitizer which collects in cancerous cells but not in healthy cells. (A photosensitizer is a drug which makes malignant cells vulnerable (sensitive) to light of specific wavelengths.) After the cells have been sensitized, fiberoptic cables are placed in the body (usually through open-chest surgery) in order to focus light of just the right frequency on the tumor. This causes the photosensitizer to produce a toxic oxygen molecule which kills the cancer cell.
Gene Therapy
This is a new treatment of mesothelioma , currently in clinical trails. Gene therapy is being explored as a possible treatment. Specially prepared genetic material is injected into the cancer cell. This genetic material selectively attacks the cancer genes, killing the cancer cells. Medical scientists at the cutting edge of gene therapy for mesothelioma (such as those at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center) say gene therapy for mesothelioma is in the experimental stage. They are cautiously optimistic that gene therapy may prove to be a useful tool in treating at least some people with mesothelioma.
Gene therapy for the treatment of mesothelioma can be used with or without other types of treatment . To date, it has been more frequently employed as a supplement or follow-up to surgery. Surgery is performed to remove the bulk of the tumor. Gene therapy is used in an effort to eliminate the cancer cells that always remain after surgery for mesothelioma.
The cost of gene therapy is significant. Costs for a complete course of gene therapy for treatment of mesothelioma can range from $150,000 to $950,000.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy (or biological therapy) treats mesothelioma cancer by using the body’s own immune system fight cancer cells. Another name often applies to this therapy, biological response modifiers (BRMs). Though not yet obtainable, promising clinical studies are underway for immunotherapy.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a mesothelioma treatment method often used in combination with other treatments, such as drugs or surgery. PDT uses light to kill cancerous cells. Photodynamic therapy is still in an experimental stage for treatment of mesothelioma.
Initially, the patient receives a photosensitizer which collects in cancerous cells but not in healthy cells. (A photosensitizer is a drug which makes malignant cells vulnerable (sensitive) to light of specific wavelengths.) After the cells have been sensitized, fiberoptic cables are placed in the body (usually through open-chest surgery) in order to focus light of just the right frequency on the tumor. This causes the photosensitizer to produce a toxic oxygen molecule which kills the cancer cell.
Gene Therapy
This is a new treatment of mesothelioma , currently in clinical trails. Gene therapy is being explored as a possible treatment. Specially prepared genetic material is injected into the cancer cell. This genetic material selectively attacks the cancer genes, killing the cancer cells. Medical scientists at the cutting edge of gene therapy for mesothelioma (such as those at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center) say gene therapy for mesothelioma is in the experimental stage. They are cautiously optimistic that gene therapy may prove to be a useful tool in treating at least some people with mesothelioma.
Gene therapy for the treatment of mesothelioma can be used with or without other types of treatment . To date, it has been more frequently employed as a supplement or follow-up to surgery. Surgery is performed to remove the bulk of the tumor. Gene therapy is used in an effort to eliminate the cancer cells that always remain after surgery for mesothelioma.
The cost of gene therapy is significant. Costs for a complete course of gene therapy for treatment of mesothelioma can range from $150,000 to $950,000.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy (or biological therapy) treats mesothelioma cancer by using the body’s own immune system fight cancer cells. Another name often applies to this therapy, biological response modifiers (BRMs). Though not yet obtainable, promising clinical studies are underway for immunotherapy.
0 comments:
Post a Comment