International Stem Cell Trial May Change the Future of Mesothelioma Treatments

News provided by

The Law Office of Melinda J. Helbock APC

Jan 30, 2015, 03:00 ET


San Diego, CA (PRWEB) January 30, 2015 -- According to a Jan. 8, 2015 news release by Verastem, Inc., the phase II trial of defactinib (VS-6063), a drug used to treat cancer by killing cancer stem cells, has shown positive activity in several tumor types, including mesothelioma, ovarian cancer and advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

“These results, although early, give hope to people with mesothelioma and other types of cancer,” said Melinda Helbock, Founder of The Law Office of Melinda J. Helbock A.P.C. and sponsor of MesotheliomaTreatmentCenters.org. “This could be the breakthrough we have been waiting for; it is really exciting.”

Currently there are 180 people enrolled in COMMAND (Control Of Mesothelioma with MAinteNance Defactinib) at 55 centers in 13 different countries, Verastem said in its news release. Verastem Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joanna Horobin said so far patients are responding surprisingly well to the drug and have reported few side effects. COMMAND is expected to reach its targeted enrollment goal of 372 patients by the end of 2015 and could be completed by 2016.*

“We're onto something really important here,” Forrester noted in the release. “We believe we have the opportunity to change the way cancer is treated and to make a significant difference in the lives of many patients.” According to Verastem's news release, the goal is to get 6063 approved for the treatment of mesothelioma as soon as possible with the hope of expanding its use to the treatment of other cancers.

“As attorneys for mesothelioma patients, we see first-hand how aggressive mesothelioma can be,” Helbock said. “If this drug does what researchers expect, it could change the lives of so many people and their families. We applaud Verastem and anxiously await the outcome of this trial.”

About The Law Office of Melinda J. Helbock A.P.C.
The Law Office of Melinda J. Helbock A.P.C. is a personal injury law firm that represents the families of people with mesothelioma. The firm advocates for victims of asbestos exposure. For more information about the firm visit helbocklaw.com.

Michael Helbock, The Law Office of Melinda J. Helbock APC, http://www.helbocklaw.com/, +1 760 271 5327, [email protected]