Google Screened Review Us
Click to toggle navigation menu.
« Back

NCI Awards $8 Million Grant To University of Penn To Study Photodynamic Therapy on Mesothelioma Patients

July 24, 2014 – It’s good news for researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and the Rosewell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York working to find effective treatment for mesothelioma.  The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has awarded the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania an $8 million dollar grant to study the benefits of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on pleural mesothelioma patients.

Researchers at both facilities will work together to test the effectiveness of administering a new photosensitive agent called Photofin to pleural mesothelioma patients undergoing radical surgery.  One hundred and two participants will be included in the study over a four year period.  These patients will be closely monitored to establish the effect that Photofin has on their immune system, tumor growth, and on the surrounding blood vessels.

The study will be divided into three phases.  The first phase is the implementation of Photofin 24 hours prior to the radical pluerectomy surgery.  During this procedure, patients have the lining of the lung, called the pleura, removed along with any existing tumors.  These patients will then be divided into two separate groups; those who receive photodynamic therapy using strong lasers inserted during the operation as well as post surgical chemotherapy, and those that receive post operative chemotherapy alone.   The second phase will focus on confirming the process by which PDT works to destroy cancer cells, and the third phase will study ways to increase the effectiveness of the surgical/Photofin process.

The Philadelphia Mesothelioma Attorneys at Shein Law are Committed to Helping Victims of Mesothelioma

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, call the mesothelioma lawyers at the Shein Law at 1-877-SHEINLAW or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.  With offices conveniently located in center city Philadelphia and Pennsauken, New Jersey, we serve clients throughout both states.  We will gladly meet with you and your family at a location convenient to you.

Click for live chat!