Photofrin and heme oxygenase–boosting drugs for pleural mesothelioma
Official title: Photofrin dark effects and heme oxygenase inducers as therapeutic in mesothelioma
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11251934 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at whether Photofrin and drugs that boost heme oxygenase can slow tumor growth in people with malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $189,922 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA286282-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11251934 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with malignant pleural mesothelioma would be the likely candidates for related clinical trials or sample-donation efforts.
✕Less likely to help
People without mesothelioma or whose tumors do not respond to heme oxygenase–related treatments are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
Researchers are studying why the FDA-approved drug Photofrin can slow mesothelioma tumors even without light activation and are testing drugs that raise the antioxidant enzyme heme oxygenase (like 5-ALA) in lab and animal models. The project uses mouse models of orthotopic mesothelioma and examines human tumor samples to measure tumor response and immune changes linked to inflammation. Early results showed increased survival in mice treated with a heme oxygenase inducer, independent of light, and the team will explore the underlying mechanisms and potential markers of response. The goal is to determine whether these existing drugs could be repurposed to reduce tumor-driven inflammation and improve outcomes for people with this disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to a new treatment approach that slows tumor growth and improves survival for people with pleural mesothelioma.
How similar studies have gone: Photofrin is FDA-approved for light-activated photodynamic therapy and has shown antitumor effects in animals without light, but using its 'dark' heme oxygenase–related effects as a cancer therapy is novel and not yet proven in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Busch, Theresa M — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Busch, Theresa M
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.