The Pacific Mesothelioma Center (PMC) in Los Angeles, California has been issued a U.S. patent for a new treatment—mesothelioma stem cell therapy. The center at the Pacific Heart, Lung and Blood Institute can now offer mesenchymal stem cell treatment and clinical research opportunities to patients with pleural mesothelioma.
New Treatments Provide New Hope
Stem cell therapy has been used to treat various diseases. Researchers have found that it promotes the repair of damaged tissue and delivers targeted treatments to diseased tissues. The new cutting edge treatment has the potential to increase long-term survival rates for those diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma.
Emerging treatments like mesothelioma stem cell therapy may decrease our reliance on invasive treatments with potential risks—like surgery.
News of the approved treatment was accompanied by the addition of Dr. Walid Saabagh Jr. to PMC’s Patent and Grants Advisory Committee. Dr. Saabagh is a registered U.S. patent agent, and he will be using his knowledge and expertise to support the institute in pursuing additional patent approvals and research grants.
What Is Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy?
Stem cells are best described as unprogrammed cells that have the ability to shapeshift. These cells can develop into various types of cells, such as bone, muscle or cartilage and have the ability to rebuild damaged or diseased tissue.
Mesenchymal stem cells were first studied in human subjects in 1995. Since then, they’ve become the most widely studied experimental cell therapy in the world. Mesenchymal stem cells are mostly taken from adult bone marrow—the spongy tissue found in bones. They can also be found in placenta, cord blood, peripheral blood, fallopian tube and fetal liver and lung tissues.
Treating Patients With Mesothelioma Stem Cell Therapy
PMC will offer mesenchymal stem cell treatment and research opportunities to eligible patients with pleural mesothelioma who have already undergone surgery.
Dr. Robert Cameron, Scientific Advisor at the PMC, explained how although surgery for pleural mesothelioma removes most of the tumor, some cancer cells always remain. To address this, mesenchymal stem cells would be extracted in a lab and delivered to the exact location where the mesothelioma was surgically removed to destroy any remaining mesothelioma cells.
Dr. Robert Cameron and his team are particularly interested in researching stem cells because when taken from placenta tissue, the body does not recognize them as foreign tissue. This makes mesenchymal stem cells a potential universally compatible stem cell to deliver a wide range of therapies.
Visit the UCLA Health website to learn more about Dr. Robert Cameron.
Mesothelioma Hope has no affiliation with and is not endorsed or sponsored by Dr. Robert B. Cameron. The contact information above is listed for informational purposes only. You have the right to contact Dr. Cameron directly.
Mesenchymal stem cells are already being used in FDA-approved therapies for autoimmune diseases. Research and clinical trials are currently underway to investigate mesenchymal stem cell therapy in the treatment of thymoma (cancer of the thyroid gland) and lung cancer.
About the Pacific Mesothelioma Center
The Pacific Mesothelioma Center (PMC) is part of the Pacific Heart, Lung & Blood Institute (PHLBI), a non-profit research institute in Los Angeles, California. The PMC was established in 2012 with the vision of becoming the most innovative research and treatment facility for patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma.
Dr. Clare Cameron is the Executive Director at the PMC and she has a background in medical research advocacy. Dr. Clare Cameron and her team are known internationally for their work on developing cutting edge prevention and treatment therapies for pleural mesothelioma.
The work of the PMC is critical to discovering life-saving breakthroughs for the pleural mesothelioma community.
Future of Targeted Mesothelioma Therapies
The investigation of new mesothelioma treatments such as mesenchymal stem cell therapy is promising. Once proven, this new therapy could be offered as a viable treatment option to extend patient survival, prevent recurrence and treat relapse.
Talk to your doctor about mesothelioma stem cell therapy or other emerging immunotherapy treatments. Your doctor can give you more information on active clinical trials or refer you to a mesothelioma center like PMC.
