SELECTmeso A Trial for Patients With Relapsed Malignant Mesothelioma SELECTmeso1 A Trial of BMS-986504 in Patients With MTAP-deficient Relapsed Mesothelioma
The SELECTmeso study is a new way to find better treatments for patients with mesothelioma that has come back. It works like a platform, allowing researchers to test different new drugs over time. First, doctors will check a sample of your tumour for special markers. Depending on what they find, you might be offered a specific treatment that is thought to work well with those markers. The first treatment being tested is in a study called SELECTmeso1. This part of the study is looking at a drug called BMS-986504. It's for patients whose mesothelioma tumours have a specific marker called 'MTAP deficiency'. Previous studies have shown that this drug might help shrink tumours and is generally safe for people with this type of marker.
At a glance
What is this study about?
When mesothelioma comes back after treatment, doctors are always looking for new ways to help. The SELECTmeso study is designed to do just that – it's a clever way to test different new medicines more quickly for patients whose mesothelioma has returned.
Think of SELECTmeso as a research hub. When you join, doctors will look at a small sample of your tumour (usually taken from a previous biopsy, so you won't need another procedure just for this). They'll use special tests to find tiny clues, called ‘biomarkers,’ within your tumour cells. These biomarkers can tell doctors more about your specific cancer and what treatments might work best. Depending on what biomarkers are found, you might then be offered the chance to take part in a specific part of the study testing a new drug.
SELECTmeso1 is the very first specific study under this main SELECTmeso research hub. It's focusing on a drug called BMS-986504. This drug is being tested for patients whose tumours have a particular biomarker called 'MTAP deficiency'. This means that a certain gene related to cell growth isn't working properly in their cancer cells. Early research has suggested that BMS-986504 could be helpful for people with this specific type of tumour, and it's generally been well-tolerated in patients. The main goal of SELECTmeso1 is to see if this drug can shrink mesothelioma tumours in people with this MTAP deficiency.
Key takeaways
- This is a study for patients with mesothelioma that has returned after previous treatment.
- It uses a 'platform' approach to test new, targeted treatments more efficiently.
- They will check your tumour for specific biomarkers to match you with the best experimental drug.
- The first drug being tested (SELECTmeso1) is called BMS-986504, for tumours with 'MTAP deficiency'.
- Participation involves taking tablets daily, regular clinic visits, and CT scans.
- You can withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your normal care.
Who may be eligible?
To be considered for the main SELECTmeso research hub, you would need to have a confirmed diagnosis of mesothelioma (a previous biopsy finding) and your CT scans must show that your cancer has grown. You should have already had at least one previous course of anti-cancer treatment. Importantly, doctors will need to be able to test a sample of your previous tumour tissue to look for specific biomarkers. Your general health should also be good enough for you to take part in a study like this.
If your tumour tissue is found to have a specific marker called 'MTAP deficiency' when tested, you might then be suitable for the SELECTmeso1 part of the study. For this specific drug trial, you would also need to be 18 years or older and have healthy enough organs, such as your bone marrow, liver, and kidneys, because the drug can affect these areas. You shouldn't have active cancer that has spread to your brain or spine, and you shouldn't be having any other cancer treatments at the same time.
The research team will carry out a full check to make sure the study is a safe and suitable option for you. If, after checking your biomarkers, you don't fit into any of the current specific drug studies within SELECTmeso, you would return to your usual medical care. However, they might contact you later if new treatments become available within the study that you could be eligible for.
- Do I have a confirmed diagnosis of mesothelioma?
- Has my mesothelioma grown or come back after previous treatment?
- Have I had at least one prior anti-cancer treatment?
- Do I have a tissue sample available from a previous biopsy for testing?
- Am I generally well enough to take part in a study?
- Am I 18 years old or older?
This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.
What does participation involve?
If you join the SELECTmeso study, the first step involves taking a sample of your tumour (usually from a previous biopsy) and testing it in a lab to find specific biomarkers. You won't need to come to the hospital for this part. Depending on what biomarkers are found, you might be offered to take part in a specific drug study, like SELECTmeso1.
If you join SELECTmeso1, you'll take three tablets of the study drug, BMS-986504, by mouth once a day. You will have regular clinic visits every 21 days for blood tests to check your general health and see how your body is handling the treatment. Some of these visits will involve extra blood tests just for the study. You will also have CT scans (the same kind you might have already had) every 6 weeks to see if the treatment is affecting the tumour. You will continue treatment for up to 24 weeks (about 6 months). After you stop the treatment, you'll have one final visit to check how you're doing, and then a safety check-up about a month later.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- Leicester Royal InfirmaryLeicester, United Kingdom
Common questions
What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that usually starts in the lining of the lungs, but can also occur in the lining of the abdomen or heart.
What are biomarkers?
Biomarkers are tiny clues in your body, like certain proteins or gene changes, that can give doctors information about your cancer and which treatments might work best for you.
What is MTAP deficiency?
MTAP deficiency means that a specific gene, called MTAP, isn't working properly in your cancer cells. This particular study is looking into a drug that might target cancers with this specific change.
Will I need extra scans or painful procedures?
You will have regular CT scans, but these are the same as what you might already have to monitor your cancer. For the initial screening, they will use tissue from an older biopsy, so you won't need a new one just for this.
What if the treatment doesn't work or I'm not eligible?
If the treatment doesn't work, or if your tumour doesn't have the right biomarkers to be eligible for a specific study, you will return to your current medical care. The study team might contact you later if new treatments become available in the future parts of the SELECTmeso platform that you could join.
How to find out more
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
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