About the National Institutes of Health

Founded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the NIH consists of 27 institutes. The National Cancer Institute conducts most of its mesothelioma research.

More than 80% of their budget is distributed to university research labs. The NIH also maintains its own laboratories. They include the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, which is the largest clinical research hospital in the world.

Clinical Trials at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

The main focus of the NIH Clinical Center is the clinical trials program at the Center for Cancer Research (CCR). At any given time, the National Institutes of Health’s CRR operates more than 150 cancer-focused clinical trials.

Currently, eight clinical trials are in process at the facility. Clinical trials help researchers understand the way that mesothelioma responds to treatment. They provide patients access to emerging therapies.

These clinical trials provide treatment at no cost. The NIH can cover transportation costs after acceptance into the program. Patients from anywhere in the world may be accepted if they qualify. Mesothelioma patients may also be eligible for financial aid to cover medical expenses.

Recent Mesothelioma Studies Conducted by the National Institutes of Health

In the 2010 fiscal year, the NIH granted more than $7,914,000 to 16 mesothelioma research projects. Five of these projects were conducted at the National Cancer Institute. Others were led by top mesothelioma researchers at NCI-designated research laboratories.

Some of the topics studied included:

  • Immunotherapy for malignant mesothelioma
  • Mesothelin as a mesothelioma biomarker
  • Targeted radiotherapy for mesothelioma
  • Mesothelioma pathogenesis
  • Prognostic and diagnostic mesothelioma tests

Studies from the 2009 fiscal year received $11,637,205 in NIH funding. They included the development of mesothelioma tumors and clinical trials. They trials looked at immunotoxins and computerized analysis of mesothelioma CT scans.

Mesothelioma specialists work at NIH-designated cancer centers. Many work at other care facilities throughout the U.S. Our Doctor Match Program helps patients find the right mesothelioma specialist for them.

NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers:

These cancer centers offer multidisciplinary care from a wide range of specialists. Treating mesothelioma with several therapies improves the chances of long-term survival. It also helps control cancer symptoms and often improves the patient’s quality of life.