The second phase of a clinical trial testing mesothelioma treatments just commenced at Columbia University, according to news reports. The treatments being tested are to decrease signs and symptoms of peritoneal and malignant pleural mesothelioma, the two most dangerous forms of the disease.
The trial will involve approximately 29 individuals and will last nearly six months.
Two of the drugs that will be tested include oxaliplatin and gemcitabine. According to TransWorldNews, oxaliplatin is "a platinum-containing organic compound which targets cancer cells by inhibiting or specifically preventing replication and repair of the cancer cells‚ DNA." Oxaliplatin is from Sanofi Aventis and is manufactured as Eloxatin.