Sirolimus – A Brand New Addition to Mesothelioma Treatment
Mesothelioma treatment improved with addition to Sirolimus treatment. This is wonderful news for mesothelioma patient because of its anti-proliferative effects; sirolimus is now being looked at for the treatment of malignant mesothelioma and a number of other cancers.
After being diagnosed with mesothelioma it is natural to experience a whirlwind of emotions. This lethal disease can definitely turn your life upside down, but rests assure that researchers are working night and day to find a cure for you!
Researchers at the Boston women’s hospital report that the immune suppressant drug called Sirlimus is an effective mesothelioma treatment. According to the researchers working at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston they saw greater success when using sirolimus along with cisplatin than they did when using cisplatin alone.
What Is Sirolimus?
Sirolimus also known as rapamycin is an immunosuppressant drug which is typically used to prevent rejection of organ transplantations especially in kidney transplants. Sirolimus has an anti-proliferative effect which makes it an effective treatment option for mesothelioma.
Benefits of Sirolimus
It is believed that the benefits of sirolimus could make it easier to treat certain cancers. Sirolimus acts as an inhibitor in the development of certain proteins that affects the cell survival and cell growth among others. The researchers also stated that upon observation of combination of sirolimus and cisplatin “Sirolimus appears to enhance the cytotoxicity of cisplatin in malignant pleural mesothelioma cell lines through the mammalian target rapamycin pathway. These results provide a basis for the clinical evaluation of combined sirolimus and cisplatin chemotherapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma.”
Precautions & Warnings When Taking Sirolimus
According to research, before taking sirolimus you should follow these guidelines:
Let your doctor know if your are allergic to any medication Give your doctor a list of medication (prescription or non prescription) including vitamins nutritional supplements, herbal products and make sure you let your doctor know if you are taking amphotericin B, antifungals, ketoconazole, bromocriptine, cimetidine, HIV protease inhibitors, seizure medication, Phenobarbital, metoclopramide, rifabutin, verapamil or any other medication. Your doctor will need this information to prescribe appropriate dosage of your medication or to monitor for any side effects. Let your doctor know if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you suffer from high cholesterol or triglycerides of liver disease.
It is best to disclose any health conditions and medications to your doctor before taking sirolimus.
Are There Any Side Effects Caused By Sirolimus?
Possible side effects of Sirolimus are:
Headache Constipation Back pain Diarrhea Weight loss Fever Weakness Vomiting Stomach pain
There are other serious side effects which are uncommon, but if you experience pale skin, shortness of breathe of unusual bleeding or bruising you should call your doctor immediately.
The most frequently recommended treatments for pleural mesothelioma patients has been chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery or a combination of two or more of these types of treatment and medication. But with sirolimus, this new addition will significantly improve the lives of mesothelioma patients.
These clinical researches are making advancements in the treatment of mesothelioma. Patients suffering from mesothelioma are volunteering to receive the newest development in mesothelioma treatment in the hopes of finding a cure for this disease. We hope that one day there will be a cure for this lethal disease.