University of Vermont Researchers Identify New Treatment Strategy for Mesothelioma
Researchers at the University of Vermont, in collaboration with RS Oncology, have discovered a promising new treatment strategy for mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer. The study, published in Nature Communications, reveals that blocking the enzyme peroxiredoxin 3 (PRX3) in cancer cells can lead to their death. This approach contrasts with previous methods that aimed to protect cancer cells from oxidative damage. The research team, led by Victoria Gibson and Brian Cunniff, found that inhibiting PRX3 causes harmful molecules to accumulate in cancer cells, ultimately leading to cell death. A phase one clinical trial showed that the experimental drug stopped disease progression in 67% of patients with relapsed mesothelioma. The treatment was well tolerated, and patients survived longer than those receiving standard therapies. 
