Clinical trials examine the safety and effectiveness of new mesothelioma treatments.  Mesothelioma trials are conducted in the hopes of finding better and more effective ways to treat this disease.  Before participating in any trial, a patient should discuss the matter thoroughly with their doctor. 

Every clinical trial will have potential risks and benefits and it is essential that a patient thoroughly understand what to expect.  Some trials are conducted in major cities, while others will require travel for treatment and routine tests.  In addition, eligibility for trials will depend upon many factors such as your current and prior treatment.  Your physician will be able to advise a patient on the best trial for their symptoms. 

While there is still no cure for mesothelioma, clinical trials are one of the best ways to test new drugs, treatments and procedures in the fight against this disease.

• Active Symptom Control With Or Without Chemotherapy In Treating Patients With Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
  
  The purpose of this randomized phase III trial is to examine active symptom control and chemotherapy to determine how well they work when compared to active symptom control alone in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.  This trial is being conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and will take place in Leeds General infirmary at Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust in Leeds, UK. 
  
  
• ONCONASE Plus Doxorubicin Versus Doxorubicin Alone for Patients with Malignant Pleural or Peritoneal Mesothelioma Who Have Had No More Than One Prior Chemotherapy Regimen
  
  The purpose of this randomized phase III trial is to see how well doxorubicin alone works when compared to doxorubicin and Onconase in treating patients with malignant mesothelioma.  This trial is being conducted by the NCI and will take place in Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and New  Mexico and other international locations.
  
  
• Pemetrexed Disodium and Either Gemcitabine or Carboplatin in Treating Patients With Advanced Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
  
  The purpose of this randomized phase II trial is to determine how well pemetrexed disodium and gemcitabine work when compared to pemetrexed disodium and carboplatin when treating patients with advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma.  This trial is being conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the North Central Cancer Treatment Group.  It will take place in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, India, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
  
  
• Early Diagnosis of Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma in Prior Asbestos Workers
  
  Occupational exposure to asbestos increases the risk of developing lung cancer. The purpose of this study is to develop low-dose computed tomography as a tool to identify the existence of mesothelioma before symptoms occur.  This trial is being conducted by the University Health Network in Toronto and will take place in Ontario, Canada.
  
  
• Dasatinib in Treating Patients With Previously Treated Malignant Mesothelioma
  
  The purpose of this phase II trial is to see how well dasatinib works when treating patients with previously treated malignant mesothelioma.  This trial is being conducted by the University Health Network in Toronto and will take place in Ontario, Canada.
  
  
• Pazopanib in Treating Patients With Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
  
  The purpose of this phase II trial is to determine how well pazopanib treats patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.  This trial is being conducted by the National Cance Institute (NCI) and the North Central Cancer Treatment Group.  It will take place in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
  
  
• Combination Chemotherapy With or Without Surgery and Chemoradiotherapy in Treating Patients With Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
  
  The purpose of this phase II trial is to determine how well giving combination chemotherapy with or without surgery and chemoradiotherapy works when treating malignant pleural mesothelioma patients.  This trial is being conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI)  and the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center.  It will take place in Ohio.
  
  
• Tomotherapy Treatment for Mesothelioma
  
  Patients who suffer from mesothelioma typically suffer various symptoms including shortness of breath and chest pain. This trial examines the use of new radiation technology (tomotherapy) as a means to aggressively treat mesothelioma. The study will recruit 17 patients to examine their symptoms before and after tomotherapy treatment.  This trial is being conducted by the Alberta Cancer Board and will take place in Alberta Canada.
  
  
• Bortezomib in Treating Patients With Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
  
  The purpose of this phase II trial is to study the side effects of bortezomib and how well it works when treating patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.  This trial is being conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the  Irish Clinical Oncology Research Group.  It will take place in Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
  
  
• AZD2171 in Treating Patients With Malignant Mesothelioma That Cannot Be Removed By Surgery
  
  This phase II trial will examine how effective AZD2171 is at treating malignant mesothelioma that cannot be surgically removed.  This trial is being conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the  University of Chicago.  It will take place in California, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Ontario, Canada.
  
  
• ONCONASE Plus Doxorubicin Versus Doxorubicin Alone For Patients With Malignant Pleural or Peritoneal Mesothelioma Who Have Had No More Than One Prior Chemotherapy Regimen
  
  The purpose of this randomized phase III trial is determining how well doxorubicin works when compared to doxorubicin and Onconase in treating people with malignant mesothelioma.  This trial is being conducted by National Cancer Institute (NCI) and will take place in Indiana, Maryland, Michigan , Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Germany, Italy, and Poland.
  
  
• Pemetrexed Disodium and Cisplatin Followed By Surgery and Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
  
  This phase II tiral is to determine how well giving pemetrexed disodium and cisplatin followed by radiation therapy and surgery works in treating patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.  This trial is being conducted by the National Cancer Institute and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer.  It will take place in Belgium, Italy, Netherlands, England and Scotland.
  
  
• Bortezomib and Cisplatin as First-Line Therapy in Treating Patients With Malignant Mesothelioma
  
  The purpose of this phase II trial is to determine how well bortezomib and cisplatin work as a first-line treatment for patients with malignant mesothelioma.  This trial is being conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer.  It will take place in England.
  
  
• AZD2171 in Treating Patients With Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma That Cannot Be Removed By Surgery
  
  This phase II trial will examine how well AZD2171 works in treating patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma that is not removable by surgery.  This trial is being conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the University of Chicago.  It will take place in California, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Ontario, Canada. 
  
  
• PXD101 as Second-Line Therapy in Treating Patients With Malignant Mesothelioma of the Chest That Cannot Be Removed By Surgery
  
  The purpose of this phase II trial is to see how well PXD101 works as a second-line therapy when treating patients with malignant mesothelioma of the chest that cannot be removed by surgery.  This trial is being conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the California Cancer Consortium.  It will take place in California, and Pennsylvania.
  
  
• Pemetrexed Disodium and Cisplatin Followed by Surgery With or Without Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
  
  The purpose of this randomized phase II trial is to discover how well giving pemetrexed disodium with cisplatin followed by surgery with or without radiation therapy works in treating malignant pleural mesothelioma patients.  This trial is being conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research.  It will take place in Switzerland.
  
  
• Antineoplaston Therapy in Treating Patients With Advanced Mesothelioma
  
  This phase II trial is trying to determine how effective antineoplaston therapy is in treating patients with advanced mesothelioma.  This trial is being conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and Burzynski Research Institute.  It will take place in Texas.
  
  
• Trial of Cisplatin, Imatinib Mesylate, and Pemetrexed in Malignant Mesothelioma Patients
  
  The objective of this trial is to determine the maximum tolerated does of the combination of cisplatin, imatinib mesylate, and pemetrexed in metastatic malignant mesothelioma.  This trial is being conducted by the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and will take place in Texas.
  
  
• Sunitinib in Treating Patients With Advanced Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
  
  The purpose of this phase II trial is to determine how well sunitinib works when treating patients with advanced malignant mesothelioma of the pleura.  This trial is being conducted by the National Cancer Institute and the National Cancer Institute of Canada.  It will take place in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario, Canada.
  
  
• Study of Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Esophageal Cancer, or Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
  
  The purpose of this study is to collect and examine tissue, blood and urine samples from patients who have non-small cell lung cancer, esophageal cancer, or malignant pleural mesothelioma.  This trial is being conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and will take place in Maryland.
  
  
• Combination Chemotherapy With or Without Surgery and Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Mesothelioma That Can Be Removed By Surgery
  
  The objective of this randomized clinical trial is to determine how well a combination of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy work when compared to chemotherapy alone in treating patients with mesothelioma that can be removed by surgery.  This trial is being conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Institute of Cancer Research, United Kingdom.  It will take place in England.
  
  
• Study of NGR-hTNF as Single Agent in Patients Affected by Advanced or Metastic Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (NGR010)
  
  The purpose of this trial is to record the progression free survival (PFS) in advanced or metastatic malignant pleural mesothelioma patients treated with NGR-hTNF as single agent.  This trial is being conducted by MolMed S.p.A. and will take place in Italy.
  
  
• Cisplatin, Pemetrexed and Bevacizumab for Untreated Malignant Mesothelioma
  
  The purpose of this study is to estimate the time of cancer progression in patients with previously untreated mesothelioma receiving cisplatin, pemetrexed and bevacizumab.  This trial is being conducted by the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center and will take place in Texas.
  
• Suberoylanilide Hydroxamic Acid (SAHA) Versus Placebo in Advanced Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
  
  The purpose of this study is to determine the safety, tolerability, and anti-tumor effectiveness of an oral investigational drug, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid in treating advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma.  This trial is being conducted by Merck and will take place in Colorado, Georgia, illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Belgium, Brazil, Quebec, Chile, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and Hertfordshire, England.
  
  
• Pemetrexed Plus Cisplatin Neoadjuvant Therapy Followed By Surgery and Radiation in Mesothelioma
  
  The objection of this phase II trial is to test the effectiveness of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy with Pemetrexed plus Cisplatin followed by Surgery and Radiotherapy in patients with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma state I-III.  This trial is being conducted by Eli Lilly and Company and will take place in Italy.
  
  
• Dendritic Cell-Based Immunotherapy in Mesothelioma
  
  The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility and safety of a clinical trial using autologous DC as a therapeutic adjuvant for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma.  this trial is being conducted by the Erasmus Medical Center and will take place in Netherlands, Zuid-Holland. 
  
  
• Phase II Study of Bevacizumab, Pemetrexed and Carboplatin as First-Line Therapy in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
  
  The primary purpose is to determine antitumor activity with the combination of bevacizumab, pemetrexed and carboplatin.  This trial is being conducted by Isituto Clinico Humanitas and will take place in Milan, italy.
  
  
• Vaccine Therapy and GM-CSF in Treating Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Myelodysplastic Syndromes, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, or Mesothelioma
  
  The objective of this phase I trial is to examine the side effects of vaccine therapy and GM-CSF in treating patients with acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, non-small cell lung cancer, or mesothelioma.  This trial is being conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.  It will take place in New York.
  
  
• Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer, Esophageal Cancer, Pleural Mesothelioma, or Lung Metastases.
  
  The objective of this phase I trial is studying the side effects and best does of decitabine and FR901228 in treating patients with unresectable advanced lung cancer, esophageal cancer, pleural mesothelioma, or lung metastases.  This trial is being conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and will take place in Maryland.
  
  
• Study of Carboplatin and Vinorelbine in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
  
  The objective of this study is to evaluate the activity and feasibility of a two drug regimen which is administered partly orally and partly intraveneously in advanced pleural mesothelioma.  This trial is being conducted by the Department of Oncology in Rigshospitalet.  It will take place in Denmark.
  
  
• A Study of MORAb-009 in Subjects With Pancreatic Cancer, Mesothelioma, or Certain Types of Ovarian or Lung Cancer
  
  The objective of this study is to determine the safest doses of an investigational drug called MORAb-009 in patients with pancreatic cancer, mesothelioma, or certain types of ovarian or lung cancer.  This trial is being conducted by Morphotek and will take place in Maryland and Pennsylvania.
  
  
• Study of Pemetrexed in Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Patients With Fluid Around the Lungs or Abdomen
  
  The objective of this study is to observe the effects of pemetrexed on mesothelioma and lung cancer patients with fluid around their lungs or abdomen.  This trial is being conducted by Eli Lilly and Company and will take place in Denmark, Germany and Spain.
  
  
• Flavopiridol in Treating Patients With Metastatic or Unresectable Refractory Solid Tumors or Hematologic Malignancies
  
  The purpose of this phase I trial is to examine the side effects and best dose of flavopiridol in treating patients with metastatic or unresectable refractory solid tumors or hematologic malignancies.  This trial is being conducted by the National Cancer Institute and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.  It will take place in Massachusetts. 
  
  
• EF5 in Detecting Oxygen Level and Blood Vessels in Tumor Cells of Patients Undergoing Photodynamic Therapy for Intraperitoneal or Pleural Cancer
  
  The purpose of this clinical trial is to determine how well EF5 works to detecting oxygen level and blood vessels in tumor cells of patients who are undergoing photodynamic therapy for intraperitoneal or pleural cancer.  This trial is being conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the University of Pennsylvania.  It will take place in Pennsylvania.
  
  
• FR901228 and Flavopiridol in Treating Patients With Advanced Lung, Exophageal, or Pleural Cancer
  
  The objective of this phase I trial is to examine the side effects and best dose of FR901228 when given with flavopiridol in providing treatment to patients with advanced lung, esophageal, or pleural cancer.  This trial is being conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and will take place in Maryland.
  
  
• Printed Education Materials in Patients Who Are Finishing Treatment for Stage I, Stage II, or Stage IIIA Breast Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Prostate Cancer, or Chest Cancer
  
  This randomized phase III trial is examining how well printed education materials work in helping patients who are completing treatment for stage I, stage II, or stage IIIA breast cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, or chest cancer to make the transition from cancer patient to cancer survivor easier.  This trial is being conducted by the National Cancer Institute and the Fox Chase Cancer Center CCOP Research Base.  It will take place in Pennsylvania.
  
  
• Evaluation of Cell Changes in Blood and Tissue in Cancers of the Lung, Esophagus and Lung Lining
  
  The purpose of this study is to examine individuals with cancer of the lung, lung lining or esophagus for participation in clinical trials performed by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The study will also use tissue obtained from disease staging procedures to examine cellular changes in blood and tissue in these cancers.  This trial is being conducted by the National institutese of Health Clinical Center (CC) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI).  It will take place in Maryland.
  
  
• Gene Therapy for Pleural Malignancies
  
  The objective of this phase I study is to determine the safety of two doses of BG00001 on patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma, or pleural effusions who have progressed through at lease one prior therapy or have refused therapy.  This trial is being conducted by the University of Pennsylvania and Biogen Idec.  It will take place in Pennsylvania.
  
  
• Suberoylanilide Hydroxamic Acid in Advanced Solid Tumors
  
  The objective of this investigational study is to determine the safety and tolerability of oral suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid when administered in combination with pemetrexed and cisplatin for treating advanced solid tumors.  This trial is being conducted by Merck and will take place in Alabama, Nevada, and Texas.
  
  
• Surgery Plus IPHC to Treat Peritoneal Carcinomatosis
  
  The purpose of this study is to determine response and survival of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis treated with cytoreductive surgery plus intraoperative peritoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy with cisplatin and mitomycin.  This trial is being conducted by Wuhan University and will take place in Hubei, China.
  
  
• Study of PXD101 in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors
  
  The objective of this Phase I dose escalation study of PXD101 is to evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics, and to determine the maximum tolerated dose for once and twice daily dosing in patients with advanced solid tumors.  This trial is being conducted by CuraGen Corporation and will take place in Connecticut, New York, Texas, Denmark and Surrey, United Kingdom.
  
  
• Study of PXD101 Alone and in Combination With 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors
  
  The objective of this study is to understand the safety, anti-tumor activity and how 5-Fluorouracil behaves in the body.  This trial is being conducted by Cura Gen Corporation and will take place in Arizona, Nebraska, and New Hampshire.
  
  
• Electronic Tool to Record Cancer Symptoms in Patients With Advanced Cancer Receiving Palliative Care
  
  The objective of this randomized phase III trial is to examine an electronic tool and determine its effectiveness in recording cancer symptoms in patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative care.  This trial is being conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research.  It will take place in Switzerland.
  
  
• Rapamycin With Grapefruit Juice for Advanced Malignancies
  
  The objective of this study is to evaluate the highest safe dose of rapamycin when given with a predetermined amount of grapefruit juice.  This trial is being conducted by the University of Chicago and will take place in Illinois.
  
  
• Study of Pemetrexed and Bevacizumab in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer
  
  The objective of this study is to determine if combining pemetrexed and bevacizumab could increase the effectiveness of treatment for head and neck cancer.  This trial is being conducted by the University of Pittsburgh, the Eli Lilly and Company, and Genentech and will take place in Pennsylvania.
  
  
• Continuous Hyperthermic Peritoneal Perfusion (CHPP) With Cisplatin for Children With Abdominal Cancer
  
  The purpose of this phase I study is to determine the safety of continuous hyperthermic peritoneal perfusion with increasing doses of intraperitoneal cisplatin in the treatment of childhood tumors.  This trial is being conducted by the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and will take place in Texas.
  
  
• Weekly Oxaliplatin and Gemcitabine for Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer
  
  The objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness of using oxaliplatin and gemcitabine administered weekly.  This trial is being conducted by the University of California, Irvine and will take place in California.