The Mesothelioma Stratified Therapy (MiST) trial, which is taking place in Leicester, is a world’s first trial into developing personalised treatment for those with mesothelioma. The trial opened on 29th January 2019.
What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos and can take many years to develop in a person. Once diagnosed, treatment is available to control the disease for as long as possible and keep symptoms under control. However there is currently no cure for the disease, making it a terminal illness.
MiST trial
The MiST trial aims to develop personalised medicine specifically tailored to the type of mesothelioma the person is suffering from. It is hoped that by matching new drugs to the individual’s type of mesothelioma for the first time, it will accelerate advances in extending survival and quality of life for people with the aggressive form of cancer. Up until now, all mesothelioma sufferers have been treated using the same drug which is not working. Some individuals’ mesothelioma is drug-sensitive whereas others are resistant. It has become clear that a one-size-fits-all approach is no longer suitable.
The MiST clinical study involves three steps with four different types of therapies:
Stage 1 - biomarker testing and molecular profile analysis based on tissue sample. The result will be used to classify each patient into one of several different treatments.
Stage 2 - treatment type and its frequency will be delivered based on the specific molecular profile of each patient.
Stage 3 - genomic analysis of why a patient responded or didn't respond to treatment and what factors led to eventual drug resistance.
Depending on the individual’s profile, the patient could receive all four treatments options. It is however expected that more treatments will be added as the trial progresses, depending on the genetic mutations found.
The trial has been funded by a £2.5million donation from the British Lung Foundation and is due to run up until 2022.
To qualify for the trial the individual must have an expected survival time of at least 12 weeks and have received at least one prior round of chemotherapy. For further information please visit the MiST website.
The trial is starting in Leicester but is expected to expand to multiple centres across the UK.
Finding a cure for mesothelioma is a worldwide goal. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you or your loved one could be entitled to compensation. Getting the right legal advice is vital, call our specialist solicitors on 01616 966 229 for free initial guidance on your options.
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