{"id":22454,"date":"2024-06-13T09:00:56","date_gmt":"2024-06-13T13:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/?p=22454"},"modified":"2024-10-08T22:29:41","modified_gmt":"2024-10-09T02:29:41","slug":"mesothelioma-drug-rso-021-fights-cancer-new-way","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/blog\/mesothelioma-drug-rso-021-fights-cancer-new-way\/","title":{"rendered":"Driving Cancer Cells to a Halt: Mesothelioma Drug RSO-021 Shrinks Tumors in Phase 1 Trial"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>At the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, researchers presented detailed clinical trial results highlighting the success of the new cancer drug RSO-021 in treating <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/\">mesothelioma<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>RSO-021 was <strong>effective and well tolerated<\/strong> in phase 1 of the trial, suggesting it could eventually become another <a href=\"\/treatment\/\">treatment option<\/a> for mesothelioma patients.<\/p>\n<p>Developed by clinical biotech company RS Oncology, this medication essentially \u201cpumps the brakes\u201d on the cancer cell growth process, eventually leading to tumor death.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier, in February 2024, a team of researchers investigating RSO-021 announced they had successfully dosed the first patient in phase 2 of a clinical trial that included patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma.<br \/>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cRSO-021 is an <strong>exciting novel anti-cancer treatment<\/strong> that can potentially help a global population of cancer patients who are left with little to no options. Commencing the phase 2 portion of our trial presents a major milestone for patients and their caregivers.\u201d<\/p>\n<footer><cite><strong>&ndash; Jarrett Duncan, CEO of RS Oncology<\/strong><\/cite><\/footer><\/blockquote><style type=\"text\/css\">blockquote{margin:40px 0;padding:0px 15px 0px 60px;position:relative;background-color:#fff}blockquote:before{content:\"\\e99d\";color:#fff;background-color:#0FAEBF;font-size:30px;font-family:\"mesohope\" !important;position:absolute;left:0;top:0;width:50px;height:50px;line-height:50px;text-align:center;border-radius:50%}blockquote p{margin:0}blockquote footer cite{font-size:inherit;line-height:26px;font-style:normal}@media screen and (min-width: 1024px){blockquote{padding:0px 90px 0px 85px}blockquote:before{font-size:35px;width:60px;height:60px;line-height:60px;left:0}}<\/style><\/p>\n<p>RSO-021 is just one example of new <a href=\"\/treatment\/targeted-therapies\/\">targeted therapies for mesothelioma<\/a> that offer hope to patients with limited treatment options.<\/p>\n<p>Mesothelioma Hope talked with Dr. Brian Cunniff, Chief Science Officer at RS Oncology, about the trial\u2019s initial findings and what could be next for mesothelioma treatment.<\/p>\n<h2>How RSO-021 Treats Mesothelioma<\/h2>\n<p>Dr. Cunniff told Mesothelioma Hope that <strong>mesothelioma cells require increased energy to grow.<\/strong> The experimental drug RSO-021 aims to slow that energy exponentially.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA normal cell is like a car driving at 65 mph, but a cancer cell is a car driving at 120 mph. The operation of the car at that speed requires the engine to be operating perfectly,\u201d explained Dr. Cunniff. \u201cThis new drug is like sticking a potato in the tailpipe of the cancer cell. RSO-021 binds to the PRX3 enzyme that keeps the cell functioning properly and disables it.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"callout-shortcode\"><style type=\"text\/css\">.callout-shortcode{background:#EDF8F9;border-radius:0 10px 10px 0;padding:20px 20px 20px 24px;margin:40px 0;max-width:860px;position:relative}.callout-shortcode:before{content:\" \";position:absolute;top:0;bottom:0;width:4px;height:100%;left:0;background:linear-gradient(180deg, #0FAEBF 0%, #EDF8F9 100%)}.callout-shortcode .callout-shortcode-heading{color:#100134;font-size:22px;display:block;margin:0 0 15px}.callout-shortcode:first-child{margin-top:0}.callout-shortcode:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.callout-shortcode .img-wrap{margin-bottom:20px}.callout-shortcode.hope>strong{padding-top:17px;padding-bottom:15px;padding-left:74px}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap{left:22px;position:absolute;top:20px;width:59px}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap:before{background:#fff url(\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/mh-icon-65.png);background-position:center;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:70%;border-radius:30px;bottom:-10px;content:\"\";display:block;height:30px;position:absolute;right:-10px;width:30px}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.callout-shortcode{padding:25px 25px 25px 34px}.callout-shortcode .callout-shortcode-heading{font-size:24px}.callout-shortcode .img-wrap{margin-bottom:0}.callout-shortcode.has-img{min-height:170px;padding-left:175px}.callout-shortcode.has-img .img-wrap{position:absolute;left:29px;top:25px;width:119px}.callout-shortcode.hope.has-img{padding-left:170px}.callout-shortcode.hope>strong{padding:0}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap{width:109px}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap:before{background-size:66%;bottom:-15px;height:42px;width:42px}}<\/style><strong class=\"callout-shortcode-heading\">Dr. Sean Dulloo, one of the trial\u2019s researchers, highlighted three trial participants.<\/strong><div class=\"content\"><p>Each patient was diagnosed with <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/pleural\/\">pleural mesothelioma<\/a> and responded favorably to the new treatment.<\/p>\n<p>All three patients experienced <strong>reduced fluid build-up<\/strong> in the lining of the lungs (<a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/pleural\/effusion\/\">pleural effusion<\/a>) as well as <strong>a reduction in the size of their tumors<\/strong>. The drug completely stopped fluid from draining into the lung lining for two patients and significantly decreased it in the third.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>\u201cEssentially we have a drug that is reducing pleural effusion as well as treating the cancer,\u201d said Dulloo in his presentation.<\/p>\n<p>The new mesothelioma treatment RSO-021 works differently than <a href=\"\/treatment\/immunotherapy\/\">immunotherapy<\/a> and chemotherapy drugs because it directly targets the enzymes in cancerous cells without the risk of damaging healthy cells in the process.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis therapy was specifically researched and developed for mesothelioma to give patients another option for treatment. <strong>No other mesothelioma drug works like this,<\/strong>\u201d said Dr. Cunniff.<\/p>\n<p>Get our<strong> Free Mesothelioma Guide<\/strong> shipped overnight to learn more about treatments for this cancer.<\/p>\n<h2>Investing in New Mesothelioma Treatment<\/h2>\n<p>Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Tiny thread-like asbestos fibers can be inhaled and remain in the lungs for decades before causing cancerous tumors to form.<\/p>\n<div class=\"did-you-know icon-bell\"><style type=\"text\/css\">.did-you-know{background:#F3F2F0;border-radius:10px;margin:40px 0;padding:20px 20px 20px 80px;position:relative}.did-you-know:before{position:absolute;left:20px;top:20px;width:45px;height:45px;background:#0FAEBF;border-radius:50px;color:#fff;text-align:center;line-height:45px;font-size:27px}.did-you-know .heading{font-size:24px;color:#100134;padding:10px 0;display:block;margin:0 0 5px}.did-you-know h2,.did-you-know .h2,.did-you-know h3,.did-you-know .h3{font-size:24px;line-height:1.14}@media screen and (min-width: 1024px){.did-you-know{padding:25px 25px 25px 90px}.did-you-know:before{left:25px;top:25px}.did-you-know .heading{padding:8px 0}.did-you-know h2,.did-you-know .h2,.did-you-know h3,.did-you-know .h3{font-size:24px;line-height:1.14}}<\/style><strong class=\"heading\">Did You Know?<\/strong><p>Those most at risk of developing mesothelioma include <a href=\"\/veterans\/\">military veterans<\/a> and trade workers due to the widespread use of asbestos in shipbuilding, construction, and other industries from the 1930s to the early 1980s.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cEven though mesothelioma is rare, there are some incredible scientists and doctors who are passionate about studying this disease. They are very <strong>invested in finding new therapies<\/strong>,\u201d said Dr. Cunniff. \u201cIt can be frustrating for patients who run out of options. We\u2019re working to bring as many options as possible to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Since the first phase of the RSO-021 study ended in September 2023, Dr. Cunniff and the rest of his UK-based research team have worked tirelessly to prepare for the next phases of the <a href=\"\/treatment\/clinical-trials\/\">clinical trial<\/a>, which will eventually begin enrolling patients in the United States.<\/p>\n<h3>Phase 1 Trial Results From the ASCO 2024 Annual Meeting<\/h3>\n<p>On June 3, 2024, researchers presented data from phase 1 of the RSO-021 clinical study known as MITOPE. MITOPE is a first-in-human clinical study to find out more about how RSO-021 works and if it could help pleural mesothelioma patients.<\/p>\n<p>The primary goal of phase 1 was to determine the <strong>safety and tolerability<\/strong> level of RSO-021. Researchers set a secondary goal of establishing key anti-tumor activity like stability in cell growth and decrease in tumor size.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The study team found that:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>70% of patients had a partial response, meaning their tumors shrank<\/li>\n<li>Tumors shrunk by 59% at a dose of 90 milligrams per week<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u201cRSO-021 represents a new class of drugs with a first-in-class anticancer mechanism. The safety and efficacy observed in the phase 1 trial is supported by strong pre-clinical rationale,\u201d stated Dr. Cunniff.<\/p>\n<p>Researchers hope RSO-021 could join other <a href=\"\/treatment\/emerging-treatments\/\">new treatments<\/a> that have been approved for mesothelioma in recent years. In the meantime, phase 2 of the trial is currently testing RSO-021 as a standalone mesothelioma treatment and in combination with other therapies.<\/p>\n<div class=\"callout-shortcode\"><style type=\"text\/css\">.callout-shortcode{background:#EDF8F9;border-radius:0 10px 10px 0;padding:20px 20px 20px 24px;margin:40px 0;max-width:860px;position:relative}.callout-shortcode:before{content:\" \";position:absolute;top:0;bottom:0;width:4px;height:100%;left:0;background:linear-gradient(180deg, #0FAEBF 0%, #EDF8F9 100%)}.callout-shortcode .callout-shortcode-heading{color:#100134;font-size:22px;display:block;margin:0 0 15px}.callout-shortcode:first-child{margin-top:0}.callout-shortcode:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.callout-shortcode .img-wrap{margin-bottom:20px}.callout-shortcode.hope>strong{padding-top:17px;padding-bottom:15px;padding-left:74px}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap{left:22px;position:absolute;top:20px;width:59px}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap:before{background:#fff url(\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/mh-icon-65.png);background-position:center;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:70%;border-radius:30px;bottom:-10px;content:\"\";display:block;height:30px;position:absolute;right:-10px;width:30px}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.callout-shortcode{padding:25px 25px 25px 34px}.callout-shortcode .callout-shortcode-heading{font-size:24px}.callout-shortcode .img-wrap{margin-bottom:0}.callout-shortcode.has-img{min-height:170px;padding-left:175px}.callout-shortcode.has-img .img-wrap{position:absolute;left:29px;top:25px;width:119px}.callout-shortcode.hope.has-img{padding-left:170px}.callout-shortcode.hope>strong{padding:0}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap{width:109px}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap:before{background-size:66%;bottom:-15px;height:42px;width:42px}}<\/style><div class=\"content\"><p>Mesothelioma Hope\u2019s nurses and Patient Advocates can help you access the latest mesothelioma treatments and enroll in clinical trials. Call us today at <a href=\"tel:+18666088933\" title=\"Click to call (866) 608-8933\" class=\"in-content-tel-link\" data-ce-category=\"Click to Call\" data-ce-label=\"(866) 608-8933\">(866) 608-8933<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<h2>Get Help Finding Mesothelioma Treatment Near You<\/h2>\n<p>Mesothelioma is a devastating cancer that affects thousands of families every year. Mesothelioma Hope is dedicated to helping those impacted by this disease find the treatment and support they need.<\/p>\n<p>If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, <strong>our Patient Advocates can connect you with top specialists<\/strong>, cancer centers, and clinical trials for new treatments that may help you live longer.<\/p>\n<p>Use our <a href=\"\/get-matched\/\">Free Mesothelioma Doctor Match<\/a> for help finding the best treatment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, researchers presented detailed clinical trial results highlighting the success of the new cancer drug RSO-021 in treating mesothelioma. RSO-021 was effective and well tolerated in phase 1 of the trial, suggesting it could eventually become another treatment option for mesothelioma patients. Developed by clinical&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":22455,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[268,118],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22454","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-mesothelioma-treatment"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22454","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22454"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22454\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22455"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22454"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22454"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22454"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}