Pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy shows pathological responses in resectable pleural mesothelioma

Dr Giulia Pasello speaks to ecancer about the phase II CHIMERA trial.

The trial evaluates neoadjuvant pembrolizumab plus platinum-based chemotherapy followed by pleurectomy and decortication in patients with resectable pleural mesothelioma.

The approach achieved a complete macroscopic resection in 95.1% of patients, with a pathological complete response rate of 10.3% and major pathological response in 23.1%.

Dr Pasello says that although the prespecified threshold for clinical activity was not met, the combination was feasible and showed encouraging pathological responses, with quality of life largely maintained during neoadjuvant treatment.