Active clinical trials for "Mesothelioma"

Primary Objective: To determine the maximum tolerated dose of the combination of cisplatin, imatinib mesylate, and pemetrexed in metastatic malignant mesothelioma. Secondary Objectives: To explore the biologic effects of cisplatin, imatinib mesylate, and pemetrexed on tumor tissue by: histologic analysis of biopsy tissue by non-invasive assessments of tumor vascularity performed before, during and after treatment electron microscopy analysis of endothelial cell architecture after patient treatment with imatinib mesylate To explore the effects of cisplatin, imatinib mesylate, and pemetrexed on surrogate markers in serum. To assess the rate of response to therapy. To determine the doses of the combination regimen of cisplatin, imatinib mesylate, and pemetrexed that enables de-phosphorylation of platelet derived growth factor receptor (PDGF-R) on malignant mesothelioma tumor cells. To determine the pharmacokinetic interaction between agents in this combination regimen.

The present clinical trial is a dose comparison of a multi-component active immunotherapy designed to stimulate an immune reaction to specific tumor associated antigens which are highly expressed on a large number of solid cancers.

Mesothelioma is an incurable cancer involving the lining of the lung. Patients usually suffer progressive symptoms of shortness of breath and chest pain, until they ultimately succumb to the disease. While a very small number of patients qualify for aggressive treatment with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, and enjoy long-term survival, the vast majority of patients have incurable disease. The treatment options currently available, including chemotherapy and radiation treatment, are only modestly effective at alleviating symptoms and improving life expectancy. This trial explores the use of new radiation technology (tomotherapy), to treat mesothelioma more aggressively than has been possible before. Tomotherapy's ability to treat unusual shaped tumours, particularly when they are wrapped around sensitive normal tissues (the lung), enable higher doses of radiation to be used and this may improve its effectiveness. We will treat 17 patients with tomotherapy and assess the breathing, symptoms, and quality of life of the patients before and after treatment

RATIONALE: Bortezomib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying the side effects of bortezomib and how well it works in treating patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.

RATIONALE: Everolimus may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well everolimus works in treating patients with pleural malignant mesothelioma that cannot be removed by surgery.

In this study we want to investigate the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), which is an anti-oxidant, in the prevention of cisplatin-induced neural toxicity, in patients treated for lung cancer with chemotherapy containing cisplatin.

This research is being done to find out if pemetrexed and cisplatin work better when given together with an experimental drug called MORAb-009 in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Background: Background: - IMC-A12, a new cancer treatment that has not yet been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, is an antibody that is designed to block the effects of a protein called Type I Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF-1R). IMC-A12 blocks the receptors in cells that respond to IGF-1R, which are thought to play an important role in helping cancer cells to grow and divide. Researchers are interested in determining whether IMC-A12 is an effective treatment for individuals who have mesothelioma that has not responded to standard chemotherapy. Objectives: - To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of IMC-A12 treatment in individuals with mesothelioma who have previously had chemotherapy. Eligibility: - Individuals at least 18 years of age who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma that has not responded to chemotherapy. Design: Eligible participants will be screened with a full physical examination and medical history, blood and urine samples, and imaging studies. Participants will receive IMC-A12 once every 3 weeks (21-day cycle), and will be evaluated before the start of each new cycle with blood tests and imaging studies if needed. Treatment cycles will continue for as long as needed, unless severe side effects develop or the disease progresses.

This Phase I study will evaluate the safety of two doses of BG00001 at different doses and intervals. Eligible subjects will have: malignant pleural mesothelioma, or pleural effusions who have progressed through at least one prior therapy or have refused therapy BG00001 is given twice through a catheter in the pleural space.

RATIONALE: Active symptom control may decrease chest pain, breathlessness, sweating, and general discomfort in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. It is not yet known if active symptom control is more effective with or without chemotherapy. PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying active symptom control and chemotherapy to see how well they work compared to active symptom control alone in treating patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.