Targeted therapy and immunotherapy for malignant mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma (MMe) is a malignant tumor originating from mesothelial tissues, occurring mostly in locations like pleura, pericardium and peritoneum. The extensive research on its treatment has been carried on as tackling to the challenge of poor prognosis of the disease. Conventional treatment modalities including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy all exhibit limited efficacy, resulting in persistently low survival rates. Hence, exploring novel therapeutic approaches is paramount for improving the prognosis of mesothelioma patients. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy, as emerging cancer treatment modalities, exert their effects by targeting specific molecular markers on tumor cells or immune cells, thus inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis, thereby offering new hope for mesothelioma treatment. This article provides a comprehensive review of recent research progress in targeted therapy and immunotherapy for mesothelioma.