Biological therapies can be defined as a targeted therapy used to attack a particular protein, enzyme or other cellular component or an approach using inhibitors (i.e. anti-angiogenesis), monoclonal antibodies or other substances. Also included in this category are the use of analogues of natural substances (such as a vitamin). Radio-immunotherapy therapy, photodynamic therapy, and thermal therapies can also classified under this heading. Some of these approaches have been tried in treating mesothelioma. Analogue a substance derived from the modification or alteration of the chemical structure of another substance while retaining a similar pharmacological effect.
Angiogenesis refers to the formation of new blood vessels from preexisting vasculature.
Anti-angiogenesis is the process of stopping the formation of new blood vessels.
Enzyme is a complex polymer of biological origin (usually a protein) that acts as a catalyst in one or more chemical reactions. A catalyst is any substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself being changed by the reaction.
Hyperthermia is defined as an abnormally high body temperature.
Monoclonal Antibody (MAb) is a specific antibody produced in large quantity by the clones of a single hybrid cell formed in the laboratory by the fusion of a B cell with a tumor cell. The resulting hybrid cell, or hybridoma, multiplies rapidly, creating a clone that produces large quantities of the antibody.
Radioimmunotherapy is where radioactive substances are attached to a monoclonal antibody.
Photodynamic Therapy a technique that uses non-thermal lasers to activate light-sensitive drugs.
To see some of the actual results of various conventional treatments for mesothelioma, please click here.
