“This study represents an important advance in the treatment of mesothelioma. Until recently, chemotherapy was the only treatment option for this disease, but now we can confidently offer immunotherapy as well."- Dr. Scott Laurie
An international clinical trial published in The Lancet shows that immunotherapy improves survival in people with an aggressive type of lung cancer called pleural mesothelioma. The phase 3 trial involved 440 patients with advanced mesothelioma at 51 hospitals in Canada, Italy, and France, and was coordinated by the Canadian Cancer Trials Group.

Results showed that patients who received immunotherapy (pembrolizumab) together with chemotherapy had a 21 percent reduction in their risk of death compared to those who received chemotherapy alone. Immunotherapy also improved objective response rates and progression-free survival.

“This study represents an important advance in the treatment of mesothelioma,” said Dr. Scott Laurie, medical oncologist at The Ottawa Hospital, associate professor at the University of Ottawa and co-senior author of the study. “Until recently, chemotherapy was the only treatment option for this disease, but now we can confidently offer immunotherapy as well.”

More than 30,000 people are diagnosed with advanced mesothelioma each year. Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor.

Dr. Laurie notes that The Ottawa Hospital was one of the top sites in Canada for enrolling patients in this trial.

“I want to thank all the patients who participated in this trial, as well as the staff who support and enable research at The Ottawa Hospital,” said Dr. Laurie. “Research is an essential part of cancer care, and something that gives us all hope for a brighter future.”

Authors: Chu Q, Perrone F, Greillier L, Tu W, Piccirillo MC, Grosso F, Lo Russo G, Florescu M, Mencoboni M, Morabito A, Cecere FL, Ceresoli GL, Dawe DE, Zucali PA, Pagano M, Goffin JR, Sanchez ML, Gridelli C, Zalcman G, Quantin X, Westeel V, Gargiulo P, Delfanti S, Tu D, Lee CW, Leighl N, Sederias J, Brown-Walker P, Luo Y, Lantuejoul S, Tsao MS, Scherpereel A, Bradbury P, Laurie SA, Seymour L.

Partners and Funders: This study was led by the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) with partners in Italy (NCI-Naples) and France (IFCT).  The trial was supported by a grant from the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) (707213); Merck supported the trial providing the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab and some funding for the study.

The Ottawa Hospital is a leading academic health, research and learning hospital proudly affiliated with the University of Ottawa and supported by The Ottawa Hospital Foundation.