- In April 2025, Portage Biotech, a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company, announced promising preclinical results for its novel investigational drug PORT-7, a selective adenosine A2B receptor inhibitor, in the treatment of mesothelioma. The drug demonstrated superior single-agent activity against mesothelioma tumors compared to anti-PD1 antibodies such as Keytruda (pembrolizumab) and Opdivo (nivolumab). When combined with these therapies, PORT-7 further enhanced anti-tumor immune responses
- In September 2024, Merck announced the FDA approval of its blockbuster cancer therapy Keytruda (pembrolizumab) for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic malignant pleural mesothelioma. This label expansion covers the use of Keytruda with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy. The approval was supported by findings from the Phase II/III KEYNOTE-483 trial, which showed that the Keytruda regimen significantly improved overall survival and progression-free survival compared to chemotherapy alone. This approval is anticipated to unlock a significant market opportunity, with the malignant mesothelioma market projected to exceed USD 12 billion by 2034
