The Journal of Clinical Oncology recently reported that a new drug — Tomtovok (which has the technical name of “afatinib”) might block the growth of certain kinds of cancer cells.  This report was from a series of clinical trials of cancer patients with a range of solid tumors — including some with mesothelioma.  Apparently Tomtovok blocks certain kinds of protiens that promote the growth of cancer cells.  The study suggested that the tumours in some of the patients actually shrank.  While other patients — including some with advanced mesothelioma — were stabilized for six months.

This study was done in the United Kingdom, and the source of this information was apparently the Institute of Cancer Research.