Authors' recommendations: Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer which starts in the lining of the lungs (pleura) or the inside of the abdomen (peritoneum). Most cases of mesothelioma are linked with exposure to asbestos. Over 80% of patients already have advanced disease at diagnosis. These patients cannot be cured by surgery; this is known as unresectable disease. Tremelimumab is a new drug for the treatment of malignant mesothelioma that is delivered straight into the bloodstream via a drip. Some studies have suggested tremelimumab may be helpful for people who have this cancer and cannot be treated with surgery once their first treatment (usually chemotherapy) has stopped working. If tremelimumab is licensed for use in the UK, it could be a new treatment option for patients with malignant mesothelioma that may improve survival when initial treatments have stopped working.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2016

URL for published report: http://www.hsric.nihr.ac.uk/topics/tremelimumab-for-unresectable-pleural-or-peritoneal-malignant-mesothelioma-second-and-third-line/

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre

Contact Address: The NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre, Department of Public Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics, School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, 90 Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2SP. United Kingdom. Tel: +44 121 414 7831, Fax: +44 121 2269

Contact Name: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Contact Email: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Copyright: NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre (NIHR HSC)