Ann Oncol. 2015 Feb 26. pii: mdv101. [Epub ahead of print]

Searching for targets for the systemic therapy of mesothelioma.

Stahel RA1, Weder W2, Felley-Bosco E1, Petrausch U1, Curioni-Fontecedro A1, Schmitt-Opitz I2, Peters S3.

Author information

• 1Department of Oncology, University Hospital, Zèrich, Switzerland.
• 2Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland.
• 3Department of Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Abstract

Malignant mesothelioma is an incurable disease associated with asbestos exposure arising in the pleural cavity and less frequently in the peritoneal cavity. Platinum-based combination chemotherapy with pemetrexed is the established standard of care. Multimodality approaches including surgery and radiotherapy are being investigated. Increasing knowledge about the molecular characteristics of mesothelioma had led to the identification of novel potential targets for systemic therapy. Current evidence suggests pathways activated in response to merlin deficiency, including Pi3K/mTOR and the focal adhesion kinase, as well as immunotherapeutic approaches to be most promising. This review elaborates on the rationale behind targeted approaches that have been and are undergoing exploration in mesothelioma and summarizes available clinical results and ongoing efforts to improve the systemic therapy of mesothelioma.