The nightmare scenario for anyone getting test results from a doctor is to hear the word “cancer.” That one word triggers anxiety and uncertainty. The hope is that the cancer has been caught early and the treatment to eradicate it will be effective.
For many cancer patients, chemotherapy and radiation are the prescribed types of treatment. Unfortunately, the insidious nature of cancer is that once it has been detected in the body, it might be removed or put in remission, but there is always the risk of it coming back, especially with aggressive cancers like mesothelioma.
That is where a cancer vaccine can make a difference.
The Trump administration is backing a public-private partnership with the National Cancer Institute to develop a cancer vaccine. As reported by the Wall Street Journal, the $200 million investment will fund clinical trials of vaccines that activate the immune system to attack tumors.
This vaccine would be used only with patients who have already undergone cancer treatment. The hope is that the vaccine will prevent the cancer from returning.
Dr. Anthony Letai, who became director of the NCI in September, hopes this will support larger vaccine trials. “What’s exciting about this is that there are early signals from clinical trials that we can actually have an impact—even in very difficult settings where we have very little to offer patients,” he said.
Targeted Treatment
Although the cancer vaccines are still in development, these could ultimately provide hope for survivors if the vaccine prevents a recurrence of the mesothelioma.
However, developing these vaccines is not without challenges. Even after decades of research, only a small number of cancer vaccines have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The research into these vaccines is providing doctors with a better understanding of how our immune system interacts with tumors. This could ultimately lead to vaccines being customized for each patient’s type of cancer.
Is There Hope for Mesothelioma Patients?
One of the most aggressive forms of cancer is mesothelioma. It is also a cancer that has a direct causation link. Mesothelioma occurs due to exposure to asbestos.
What makes this type of cancer especially dangerous is that it can lie dormant for years, even decades, before it emerges. That means someone who worked in an industry where they were exposed to asbestos years ago can suddenly find themselves dealing with the disease.
A mesothelioma patient might ultimately have access to vaccine clinical trials, but waiting for that opportunity carries some risk. There is no guarantee that the vaccine will work on mesothelioma.
It’s also a harsh reality that many who are diagnosed with this type of cancer might be facing a grim prognosis.
Because mesothelioma can be linked to a specific type of exposure, there are remedies available to those who have been diagnosed. In many cases, the company that owned the worksite where the asbestos exposure occurred will already have been paying compensation to its former employees.
That means there are legal options to pursue with a law firm specializing in these types of claims.
Frost Law Firm, PC has helped many residents who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma secure fair compensation that covers medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We are a team of compassionate mesothelioma attorneys who understand the laws and have extensive knowledge of the potential at-fault entities.
Our firm has already helped many patients secure settlements that reduce their financial burden.
There is nothing wrong with holding out hope for a promising vaccine. Until that vaccine is ready, you owe it to yourself and your family to be taken care of. We can explain your options for that goal.
Call to schedule a free consultation today.
