On Nov. 12, 2012, Morphotek Inc., a subsidiary of Eisai Inc., announced its success in obtaining orphan drug designation for its investigational cancer drug amatuximab for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma, a rare but deadly type of cancer that attacks the lining of the lungs. Approximately 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States, almost all of which can be linked to asbestos exposure. According to OncLive, the five-year survival rate for patients with malignant mesothelioma was just 7 percent during the period 2000 to 2008, as evidenced by data from the National Cancer Institute. If you or your loved has received a mesothelioma diagnosis, an experienced mesothelioma attorney can protect your legal rights. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and a mesothelioma lawyer can help you fight to get it.
The Orphan Drug Act gives the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authority to grant orphan status to drugs with the potential to effectively treat, diagnose or prevent rare diseases affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the United States, such as mesothelioma. According to Dr. Julia Maltzman, senior director of clinical development at Morphotek, “Ultimately, this antibody has the potential to provide an additional treatment option for patients suffering from an extremely serious disease.”
Researchers presented the results of a study involving amatuximab used in combination with chemotherapy at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s 2012 Annual Meeting. They concluded that amatuximab, in combination with pemetrexed and cisplatin, was “generally well-tolerated” with 90 percent of patients “having an objective tumor response or stable disease by independent radiological review.” According to Morphotek, amatuximab targets mesothelin, a cell surface glycoprotein “associated with a range of cancers, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, mesothelioma, epithelial ovarian cancer, and lung adenocarcinoma.”
In addition to mesothelioma, asbestos exposure can lead to lung cancer, throat cancer, asbestosis and other serious illnesses. According to the Environmental Working Group, nearly 10,000 Americans die annually from diseases caused by asbestos. Workers in certain occupations have a higher risk of asbestos exposure, including textile mill workers, construction and demolition workers, auto production workers, auto mechanics, electricians, shipbuilders, railroad workers, and aircraft mechanics. If asbestos has harmed you or your loved one, contact a qualified asbestos attorney today. An asbestos lawyer can help you get the compensation you need and deserve.