SS1(dsFv)-PE38
SS1(dsFv)-PE38 Information
- Other names: SS1P
- Manufactured by: Insys Therapeutics, Inc.
- FDA-approved: No
- Used or tested in: Lung cancer, gynecological cancers, mesothelioma
SS1(dsFv)-PE38, also called SS1P for short, is a new drug being tested in mesothelioma patients to increase life span. It shows particular promise as an anticancer agent in peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma, as well as in ovarian cancer. The tumor-inhibiting drug is manufactured by Insys Therapeutics, Inc., formerly named NeoPharm.
Because it is still in the testing phases, SS1P has not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, tests thus far have suggested that it is safe for use and effective in inhibiting mesothelioma tumor growth. Ongoing tests hope to prove the benefits of the drug.
If you want access to promising new drugs such as SS1P, consider participating in a clinical trial. By signing up for a clinical trial, you can gain access to drugs that aren't available to most mesothelioma patients and that may help increase your life span. For help locating and choosing a clinical trial near you, fill out a form for a free informational packet.
How Does SS1P Work?
SS1P is classified as a recombinant immunotoxin, a type of drug that combines a protein with a toxin. This type of drug, commonly used in cancer patients, binds with targeted cancer cells and then kills them. In the case of SS1P, the drug is administered intravenously and then targets mesothelin, which occurs naturally in the body such as in healthy pleural, pericardial and peritoneal linings. Mesothelin, a usually harmless protein, is over-expressed in certain cancers such as pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. Because of the excess of this protein (also called an antigen) in the body, mesothelin-targeting drugs such as SS1P can be helpful in treating such cancers.
What are the Side Effects of SS1P?
A 2009 clinical trial of SS1P noted that nearly all patients experienced some minor side effects of SS1P. The most common side effect, experienced by nearly three-fourths of patients, was swollen feet, ankles or legs caused by temporary fluid buildup. Also common was an imbalance in the blood generally noted by fatigue and cramps. Other side effects experienced by about half of patients included weight gain, nausea and fever.
Clinical Trials
Despite early success, SS1P thus far has only been tested in Phase I clinical trials, which are designed to test the safety of a drug rather than its efficacy. However, Phase I trials generally have a secondary goal of observing basic effectiveness. In a recently completed study headed by Raffit Hassan, M.D., SS1P stabilized the cancer in about half of patients, meaning the disease did not spread or progress during treatment. This is considered a feat in mesothelioma treatment, as the disease is known to spread aggressively if left untreated.
In another ongoing trial led by Hassan, researchers are testing SS1P in epithelial pleural mesothelioma patients. Patients receive SS1P in combination with a standard chemotherapy regimen of pemetrexed and cisplatin. The combination of different treatments is a widely used technique called multimodal therapy, which is recommended by many mesothelioma specialists.
In addition to being tested alone and in conjunction with standard cancer treatments, SS1P is also being tested for use with other experimental drugs. In one ongoing trial to test safety and survival times, doctors are administering SS1P along with cyclophosphamide and pentostatin, two FDA-approved drugs that doctors recently began testing in mesothelioma patients.
Cyclophosphamide is a drug administered in tablet form which inhibits cell division. Pentostatin is more similar to other mesothelioma drugs. The drug, also called Nipent, is a chemotherapeutic agent injected into a vein. It is designed to interfere with the growth of cancer cells and eventually kill them. It is most commonly used in leukemia patients.
Need Help Finding Treatment?
The Mesothelioma Center can help you seek treatment from top mesothelioma specialists like Hassan, the principal investigator in many SS1P clinical trials. For help finding a doctor in your area, complete the form on our Doctor Match page.
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Last Modified Monday, May 14th, 2012 | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy |
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