Mesothelioma Clinical Trials

What Are Mesothelioma Clinical Trials?

Mesothelioma clinical trials are research studies that test new therapies or refine existing treatments, typically focused on specific cancer types like pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma. Most trials target pleural mesothelioma because it’s more common. These studies evaluate treatment safety and effectiveness, improve diagnostic methods and explore prevention strategies.

Cancer research trials can last several months to years and go through many phases. Once recruitment starts, enrollment may be paused or canceled. During these checkpoints, researchers analyze the data. If the benefits don’t outweigh the risks of treatment, the study sponsor may suspend or terminate the study early.

As of October 2025, there are 53 clinical trials actively recruiting mesothelioma patients across the U.S. However, in our 2025 survey, only 8% of patients reported participating in a clinical trial. Despite rigorous FDA oversight and Good Clinical Practice standards ensuring patient safety, not enough has been done to raise public awareness that trials have led to every major mesothelioma treatment advance, including newer immunotherapy options.

How Mesothelioma Clinical Trials Can Help Patients

Mesothelioma patients may benefit from new emerging treatments or advanced approaches tested in clinical trials. Trials may help improve their prognosis and quality of life. These therapies may not be available through standard treatment options, making clinical trials a valuable resource for mesothelioma patients.

Advantages of Clinical Trials for Mesothelioma Patients

• Care doesn’t change after the study ends
• Easier symptom management or life enhancement
• More appointments mean more oversight
• Novel treatment options
• Second opinions from specialized treatment centers

Experimental mesothelioma drugs, for example, can provide a targeted approach to treating cancer. These drugs target specific proteins or pathways in cancer cells, attacking specific pathways involved in tumor growth and spread. 

Clinical trials may offer patients the chance to receive a combination of experimental therapies. Some of these combinations have proven effective in early studies. This approach can be particularly beneficial for mesothelioma patients, as a multimodal therapeutic approach often yields the best outcomes when treating this cancer.

Insight From a Mesothelioma Specialist

Clinical trials are important because, again, in this difficult and challenging disease, we want to give patients every opportunity for long-term survival. Clinical trials are a way of trying new and potentially effective therapies in as safe a way as possible, and in a way where patients do not lose the opportunity to benefit from anything that has been shown helpful.

Dr. Andrea Wolf, thoracic surgeon and director of the New York Mesothelioma Program at Mount Sinai

Types of Clinical Trials for Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma clinical trials fall into 3 main types: prevention trials, screening trials and treatment trials. Treatment trials represent the vast majority of mesothelioma research because they test new drugs, drug combinations and procedures that could directly improve patient outcomes.

Mesothelioma Trial Categories

• Prevention trials: Study ways to reduce cancer risk through lifestyle changes or medications.
• Screening trials: Develop better methods for detecting cancer earlier, expanding treatment options at diagnosis.
• Treatment trials: Test new drugs, drug combinations and procedures for safety and effectiveness.

Most treatment trials today focus on immunotherapy and targeted therapy. Immunotherapy trials led to FDA approval of Opdivo plus Yervoy for pleural mesothelioma and Keytruda plus chemo as another first-line option. Researchers are also studying mesothelin-targeted CAR T-cell therapy, TEAD inhibitors, cancer vaccines and Tumor Treating Fields, which recently gained approval for use with chemotherapy in unresectable pleural mesothelioma.

Trial protocols often differ depending on the type of mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma trials typically test systemic therapies like immunotherapy or chemo combinations, while peritoneal trials frequently focus on cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC. Your care team can help identify which trials match your specific diagnosis, stage and treatment goals.

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Who Is Eligible for a Mesothelioma Clinical Trial?

Most mesothelioma patients are eligible to participate in a clinical trial as long as they meet the safety and medical parameters of the study. Eligibility depends on your mesothelioma type, stage, health and history of treatments. Researchers want to match the right type of treatment with the right patient, so if one study doesn’t fit, another might.

Common Eligibility Criteria

• Confirmed diagnosis: Pathology report confirming mesothelioma and type of cells.
• Functional status: How well you can perform daily activities, measured on a scale called ECOG (scores of 0-2 typically required).
• Prior treatments: Which therapies you’ve had and how well you’ve tolerated them, including side effects.
• Organ function: Your heart, lungs, kidneys and liver must function well enough for treatment, confirmed through recent lab work and exams.

Certain biomarkers may affect eligibility or help assign you to a specific arm of a trial. For example, some pleural studies check a protein on cancer cells called PD-L1 levels to identify who responds best to checkpoint inhibitors, while genetic changes (like BAP1 loss or NF2/Merlin mutations) may qualify you for targeted therapy studies.

Screenings can ensure a study is safe and beneficial for your condition. These tests may include bloodwork, imaging (CT or PET scans), assessment of your pathology and sometimes genetic or molecular testing of your tumor. If you’re eligible for the trial, the research team will go over the timetables and potential risks so you can make an informed decision.

Active Mesothelioma Clinical Trials

The 53 mesothelioma clinical trials actively recruiting participants in the U.S. as of October 2025 span many mesothelioma treatment options, including emerging cancer vaccine therapy, advancements in surgery and new chemotherapy approaches. Testing new combinations of techniques helps researchers find new or improved methods of treating mesothelioma that offer significant benefits without substantial risk.

Active Mesothelioma Clinical Trials

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How to Enroll in a Mesothelioma Clinical Trial

You can enroll in a mesothelioma clinical trial with help from our Patient Advocates or your doctor. Mesothelioma specialists generally know which clinical trials their patients may be eligible to join. Cancer centers and clinics participating in research trials typically have staff dedicated to running clinical trials. 

Step-by-Step Process

1. Talk to a Patient Advocate and your mesothelioma specialist
2. Gather medical records
3. Get pre-screened for eligibility
4. Review informed consent
5. Confirm coverage/travel
6. Begin baseline tests
7. Start treatment

After you talk to your mesothelioma doctor or a Patient Advocate, take the time to determine the trials that most appeal to you. Review and discuss the research trial information with your family. Ask your doctor as many questions as necessary to understand the risks and benefits of the trial. Once you decide, your medical team will help you begin the screening process.

Safety, Risks and Monitoring in Clinical Trials

Patient safety is the top priority for any mesothelioma clinical trial, but treatment always comes with some risks. The new treatment being tested may not work as well as expected. You might also face side effects that could affect your health.

A mesothelioma clinical trial often lasts for years, but you can withdraw at any time. Throughout the trial, doctors track how tumors respond to treatment using modified RECIST criteria, a standardized measurement system that helps determine if the treatment is working. Trials follow several phases to make sure a new treatment is safe and effective for many people.

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Survival & Outcomes From Mesothelioma Clinical Trials

Clinical trials have led to FDA-approved treatments that improved mesothelioma survival and quality of life. Recent trial results showed survival gains of more than six months compared to standard care alone, and these therapies now benefit patients who previously had limited options.

Trial outcomes can vary because of differences in cell type, treatment history and tumor characteristics, a variation known as heterogeneity. Your care team uses this information to match you with trials most likely to benefit your specific situation.

Although there is no cure for mesothelioma, trial therapies continue to extend survival and improve symptom control. Many trials struggle to enroll enough participants to complete their research. Joining a trial helps move the field closer to better treatments and, eventually, developing a cure for mesothelioma.

Insight From a Mesothelioma Specialist

Clinical trials are going to be the avenue to making progress with this disease. I think they are great. My only complaint is that they are not available closer to home. I just can’t get there.

Kathy Angerman, mesothelioma survivor

What Happens After the Clinical Trial?

When your study concludes, your team evaluates their findings and discusses what’s next. Some studies have an extension phase if you want to continue on the study drug, or you can choose other treatment options. Regardless, the research team will continue to assess you with follow-up visits to assess your well-being and any delayed side effects.

Someone will check in with you on a schedule. They’ll do blood draws, assessments and possibly scans during this period, even if you no longer take the study drug. This helps them determine safety and efficacy for other patients. Results from the trial will be submitted, but may not be available for many months or years.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before Joining a Mesothelioma Trial

It’s important to get answers before joining a clinical trial. Take notes during your doctor visits. Understanding the details and goals of the mesothelioma clinical trial will help you make an informed choice.

Questions for Your Doctor

• What is the specific goal of this trial?
• Are there other treatment choices I should consider first?
• What are the costs involved?
• What are the possible side effects?
• What happens if the trial stops early?
• Will I need to change my usual medications or daily routine?

Don’t hesitate to ask our Patient Advocates any questions you or your family may have or if you need any support preparing for your appointment. Your doctor’s office or the clinical trial staff can also help answer questions or address concerns about the study. This will help you decide if joining the trial is right for you.

What Experts and Patients Say About Mesothelioma Clinical Trials

Clinical trials give mesothelioma patients access to new treatments and closer medical monitoring than standard care provides. We recommend asking about trials early in your treatment journey, since eligibility often depends on your health status, prior treatments and how recently you were diagnosed. Trials include safety protections that allow you to adjust doses, pause participation or return to standard care if needed.

Our Patient Advocates help families evaluate practical considerations like travel and insurance coverage, connect you with experienced treatment centers and help you prepare questions for research teams. Whether you join a trial now or later, knowing your options keeps doors open as new treatments emerge.

Medical Perspective

As an RN who has guided many cancer patients through clinical trials, I reassure every family that well-designed trials aren’t a roll of the dice. They’re an organized effort with additional safety nets. You have more follow-ups, quicker responses to side effects and opportunities for treatment that might not reach the rest of the population for years. You’re not “stuck” if the study drug isn’t working. We can discontinue, pivot back to standard care or even explore another trial. We ensure that you can manage the visits and that your safety is guaranteed. Your goals determine every decision along the way. – Sean Marchese, MS, RN, Registered Nurse and Mesothelioma Expert.

Common Questions About Mesothelioma Clinical Trials

How do I find mesothelioma clinical trials near me?

You can learn more about mesothelioma clinical trials from our Patient Advocates, your doctor and at ClinicalTrials.gov. Our Patient Advocate can specifically help you find available clinical trials within your travel range and that match your specific diagnosis.

Will I have to pay to participate in a mesothelioma clinical trial? What costs are covered?

Many clinical trials cover all or part of the therapies used in clinical trials, but each trial varies. Some trials may also help pay for part or all of the costs related to travel. Health insurance often covers specific treatments, such as traditional chemotherapy.

If a trial helps me, can I continue the treatment after it ends?

In most cases, yes. If your trial has an open-label extension phase or you qualify for compassionate use or an expanded access program, you can continue the study drug within the same parameters as the trial, at your doctor’s discretion. You’ll want to discuss the benefits and risks of continuing the trial treatment with your health care team compared to pivoting to a standard-of-care therapy or another clinical trial. 

Can I withdraw from a mesothelioma clinical trial?

Yes, it’s always a patient’s right to withdraw from a clinical trial. Patients should provide “written informed consent” before participating in a clinical trial. The trial documentation should describe the right to cancel and how to withdraw. It may be most helpful for research if someone who withdraws from the trial treatment and tests continues to allow follow-up, for example, of side effects and length of life.

Answered By: Anna Nowak, internationally renowned asbestos researcher and mesothelioma advocate