Key Takeaways
- MESODEC is a Phase II clinical trial that combines a dendritic cell vaccine with platinum/pemetrexed chemotherapy to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma.
- The trial targets the Wilms’ tumor gene (WT1) — a protein strongly associated with mesothelioma. WT1 expression can both confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and help predict prognosis.
- The vaccine works by loading dendritic cells (immune cells that display antigens) with WT1 protein, training the immune system to recognize and attack mesothelioma cells as foreign threats.
- This approach addresses a key problem: mesothelioma cells can hijack and alter healthy immune cells, preventing the body from mounting an effective defense. The dendritic cell vaccine aims to restore normal immune function.
- The chemotherapy component (platinum and pemetrexed) works alongside the vaccine by slowing unchecked cancer cell growth systemically — blocking folic acid from binding to cancer cells.
- MESODEC is the first-in-human trial to combine WT1-targeted dendritic cell vaccination with platinum/pemetrexed chemotherapy — no other trial has used all three components together.
- An additional benefit: if WT1 expression decreases during treatment, it may indicate an improved prognosis — even if the cancer isn’t completely eliminated.
What is MESODEC?
MESODEC is a new mesothelioma clinical trial being employed for mesothelioma treatment; the study is set to conclude at the end of 2024.
The expression of Wilms’ tumor gene (WT1) by cancerous cells is strongly associated with a
mesothelioma diagnosis. In a 2014 study, researchers established WT1 as a reputable biomarker
for diagnostic purposes; additionally, they established that the expression of WT1 was associated
with prognostic outcomes. This means that the amount of WT1 expressed by mesothelial cells a.)
can be quantified; and b.) can elucidate patient prognosis.
The MESODEC mesothelioma clinical trial is based on targeting WT1 via vaccine-mediated immunity. Dendritic cells are immune cells that display antigens on their cellular surfaces, which in turn coordinates the immune response. Other immune cells target, attack, and destroy the antigens displayed by
dendritic cells. So, the MESODEC trial employs dendritic cells that have WT1 displayed on their
surfaces as the antigen to be attacked. A characteristic of mesothelioma cells are their ability to
hijack, overrun, and alter the function of healthy immune cells. By restoring normal immune
function, the body begins attacking mesothelioma cells like they’re an antigen to be destroyed.
Another stipulation of the MESODEC trial is its utilization of adjuvant therapies, or therapies
used in conjunction with one another. Along with receiving the immune-facilitating vaccine,
patients in the trial are undergoing platinum and pemetrexed-based chemotherapy. Platinum and
pemetrexed work to interfere with the rapid and unchecked growth of mesothelioma cells by
preventing folic acid–a proliferative growth agent–from binding to cancerous cells. The efficacy
of MESODEC is two-fold: a powerful immune response is incited and mesothelioma cells
experience slowed growth, systemically.
Is MESODEC the Same as Other Vaccine-Based Treatments?
Other vaccine-based clinical trials artificially stimulate the body’s natural immune response(s),
and they’re sometimes coupled with another form of treatment, like chemotherapy or surgery.
However, MESODEC is the first of its kind to “provide the first-in-human experimental
demonstration that the combination of platinum/pemetrexed-based chemotherapy with
WT1-targeted DC vaccination is feasible and safe and enables the induction of both systemic and
in situ mesothelioma-specific immune responses in patients with MPM,” (ClinicalTrials).
Ultimately, this combination of dendritic cells, pemetrexed-based chemotherapy, and targeting
WT1 hasn’t been used cooperatively yet. Because the trial is only in Phase II, reports about
efficacy and utility haven’t been released yet. Despite this, though, it’s promising that the study
has proceeded onto Phase II, is exploring different ways to induce immunity and reduce
unchecked growth, and is interested in boosting patient immunity.
As a plus–like mentioned previously–WT1 expression has been established as a mechanism for
prognosis. If patients undergoing MESODEC trials have reductions in WT1 expression, then it’s
possible that their prognosis could increase, even if their mesothelioma isn’t completely
eradicated. This is another differentiation between MESODEC and other vaccine-based
treatments.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, please call 1 (800)-505-6000 or fill
out our form. We are here to help you navigate the legal process of filing a claim to receive
compensation for your mesothelioma diagnosis. We help mesothelioma victims and their
families in Pennsylvania.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MESODEC clinical trial?
MESODEC is a Phase II clinical trial designed to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma using a combination approach: a dendritic cell vaccine that targets the WT1 protein plus standard platinum/pemetrexed chemotherapy. It is the first trial to combine all three of these components in human patients. The trial aims to demonstrate that this combination can safely stimulate the immune system to attack mesothelioma cells while simultaneously slowing cancer growth through chemotherapy.
What is WT1 and why does it matter for mesothelioma?
WT1 (Wilms’ tumor gene 1) is a protein that is strongly expressed by mesothelioma cells. A 2014 study established WT1 as a reliable biomarker for both diagnosing mesothelioma and predicting patient outcomes — the amount of WT1 expressed can be measured and used to assess prognosis. This dual role makes WT1 a valuable therapeutic target: if a treatment can reduce WT1 expression, it may both fight the cancer and improve the patient’s outlook.
What are dendritic cells and how do they work in this trial?
Dendritic cells are a type of immune cell whose job is to display antigens (foreign substances) on their surface so that other immune cells can identify, target, and destroy them. In the MESODEC trial, dendritic cells are loaded with WT1 protein and introduced into the patient’s body. The immune system sees the WT1 displayed on the dendritic cells and mounts an attack against anything expressing WT1 — including mesothelioma cells. This is especially important because mesothelioma cells can normally hijack and disable the immune response.
How is MESODEC different from other vaccine-based mesothelioma treatments?
Several features distinguish MESODEC from other vaccine-based trials:
- It is the first-in-human trial to combine WT1-targeted dendritic cell vaccination with platinum/pemetrexed chemotherapy
- It targets a specific biomarker (WT1) that has established links to both diagnosis and prognosis
- It uses a dual mechanism — the vaccine restores immune function while chemotherapy slows cancer growth systemically
- Reductions in WT1 expression during treatment may serve as a measurable indicator of improved prognosis, even if the cancer isn’t completely eliminated
Other vaccine-based trials, like the GPS (Galinpepimut-S) vaccine, target different proteins and use different immune mechanisms.
Why does mesothelioma make the immune system less effective?
Mesothelioma cells have the ability to hijack, overrun, and alter the function of healthy immune cells. This means the body’s natural defense system — which would normally identify and destroy cancerous cells — is suppressed or redirected. The MESODEC trial addresses this directly by introducing dendritic cells loaded with WT1, essentially retraining the immune system to recognize mesothelioma as a threat that needs to be destroyed.
What role does chemotherapy play in the MESODEC trial?
Patients in the MESODEC trial receive platinum and pemetrexed-based chemotherapy alongside the dendritic cell vaccine. The chemotherapy works by preventing folic acid — which cancer cells need for rapid growth — from binding to mesothelioma cells. This slows the rate of cancer growth and metastasis throughout the body while the vaccine-driven immune response targets the cancer cells directly. The combination creates a two-pronged attack: immune restoration plus systemic growth inhibition.
Has the MESODEC trial reported results yet?
As of the original publication of this article, the MESODEC trial was in Phase II and was set to conclude at the end of 2024. Phase II trials focus on determining whether a treatment is effective and safe in a larger group of patients. The fact that the trial advanced to Phase II is itself a positive signal — it means the Phase I safety data was promising enough to justify continued testing. Full efficacy results have not yet been widely published.
What should I do if I’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma and want to learn about clinical trials?
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, clinical trials like MESODEC may offer access to emerging treatments that are not yet widely available. Your oncologist can help determine whether you may be eligible based on your diagnosis, treatment history, and overall health. For information about your legal options, call (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation.
