Immunotherapy for Mesothelioma in 2025
Immunotherapy for mesothelioma may help patients live longer and improve their quality of life. This treatment boosts the power of the immune system to better target and fight cancer cells.
While the immune system is designed to protect the body from threats like infections, mesothelioma cells may evade detection. Immunotherapies correct this by helping the immune system find and destroy mesothelioma cells more easily.
The first immunotherapies were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for mesothelioma in 2020 after trials showed they could improve survival and came with fewer side effects than chemotherapy.
Many families struggle to pay for mesothelioma immunotherapy treatments, and insurance may not cover all of the expenses. However, patients and their loved ones often qualify for compensation that can help with the costs.
As a leading mesothelioma law firm, Sokolove Law has secured justice and compensation for thousands of families affected by this cancer — and we may be able to help you too.
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Types of Immunotherapy Drugs for Mesothelioma
There are several immunotherapy drugs for mesothelioma, and they work in different ways to fight this cancer.
Many are checkpoint inhibitors, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Checkpoint inhibitors block cancer cells from using proteins to hide from T cells, which the immune system makes in response to illnesses.
The most notable mesothelioma immunotherapy drugs are:
- Opdivo (nivolumab): Opdivo turns off a protein called PD-1 found on the surface of T cells, so more mesothelioma cells can be killed, according to the ACS.
- Yervoy (ipilimumab): Yervoy targets a protein found on T cells known as CTLA-4. Yervoy may produce more active T cells to help in the fight against cancer, according to manufacturer Bristol Myers Squibb.
- Keytruda (pembrolizumab): Keytruda is a PD-1 inhibitor that helps T cells find and destroy mesothelioma cells. In September 2024, Keytruda was approved by the FDA to fight mesothelioma, making it the newest publicly available immunotherapy.
Doctors continue to study additional mesothelioma immunotherapies in clinical trials, including Imfinzi® (durvalumab), Tecentriq® (atezolizumab), and Imjudo® (tremelimumab).
Immunotherapy for Pleural Mesothelioma
Opdivo, Yervoy, and Keytruda are all FDA-approved for treating pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the lining of the lung.
All three of these immunotherapies are first-line treatments (the initial ones used following a diagnosis), according to the FDA. They’re recommended for pleural mesothelioma patients who can’t undergo major surgery or who have metastatic (widespread) cancer.
Opdivo and Yervoy are given together to destroy as many pleural mesothelioma cells as possible, while Keytruda is used in combination with chemotherapy, which is another cancer-killing medication.
Immunotherapy for Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Immunotherapy is currently only available to patients with peritoneal mesothelioma, which forms in the abdominal lining, through clinical trials. Some trials have shown that immunotherapy has the potential to improve survival for those with this cancer.
Keytruda helped 53% of peritoneal mesothelioma patients achieve stable disease (where their cancer stopped growing), according to a 2023 study in Oncology. The patients in the study lived for nearly 21 months on average.
Peritoneal mesothelioma immunotherapy drugs may potentially receive FDA approval if further studies reveal they can help patients live longer.
Immunotherapy for Mesothelioma Success Rate
Immunotherapy has shown encouraging success rates in treating mesothelioma and helping patients improve their prognosis (health outlook).
The groundbreaking CheckMate-743 clinical trial found that 23% of mesothelioma patients treated with Opdivo and Yervoy were alive after 3 years, compared to just 15% of those treated with chemotherapy. The results of this trial led to the FDA’s approval of Opdivo and Yervoy.
“This was our first new drug in 16 years,” mesothelioma specialist Dr. Hedy Lee Kindler said of Opdivo and Yervoy in a 2024 interview. “As a front-line treatment, it yields durable survival.”
Doctors continue to study the success rate of immunotherapy for mesothelioma in clinical trials to find potentially better treatment combinations that may help patients live longer.
While immunotherapy and mesothelioma treatments can be expensive, Sokolove Law has helped thousands of patients afford the costs. Learn if we’re able to assist you right now.
Mesothelioma Life Expectancy with Immunotherapy
Mesothelioma patients who receive immunotherapy may have longer life expectancies after their diagnosis.
For example, the CheckMate-743 trial found that mesothelioma patients lived for 18.1 months on average with Opdivo and Yervoy. This was 4 months longer than patients who were treated with just chemotherapy.
Keytruda and chemotherapy helped patients live for 17.3 months compared to just 16.1 months with only chemotherapy, according to the KEYNOTE-483 clinical trial.
Every mesothelioma patient’s journey is unique. How long you may live with immunotherapy depends on your overall health, the spread of your cancer, and other factors.
Mesothelioma Immunotherapy Costs
While mesothelioma immunotherapy can prove lifesaving for some patients, it may be too expensive for many families to afford.
Opdivo and Yervoy can cost over $292,000 a year, as noted by Frontiers in Oncology. Keytruda and similar immunotherapies can cost nearly $150,000 per year, according to Reuters.
Even with insurance, immunotherapy and other mesothelioma treatments can be costly. Sokolove Law may be able to help you or a loved one afford the costs by taking legal action.
“The treatment for mesothelioma is extremely expensive. It adds up. You can relieve some of the stress on a family if you can help them find funding for all of their needs. That’s where we come in. We’re there to comfort and guide them through their care and through the court system.”
– Ricky LeBlanc, Managing Attorney at Sokolove Law
Who’s Eligible for Mesothelioma Immunotherapy Care?
Currently, pleural mesothelioma patients who can’t undergo surgery or who have widespread cancer are the best candidates for immunotherapy.
If a doctor believes immunotherapy can help, pleural mesothelioma patients may receive either Opdivo and Yervoy or Keytruda with chemotherapy in an effort to shrink tumors and improve survival.
Those with peritoneal mesothelioma or other types of this cancer may still qualify for immunotherapy, but only through clinical trials at this time.
Sokolove Law may be able to help you or a loved one afford immunotherapy treatments and other mesothelioma expenses. Get started now with a free case review.
Side Effects of Immunotherapy for Mesothelioma
Immunotherapy, like other mesothelioma treatments, can cause a range of side effects. This is because immunotherapy can cause T cells to accidentally harm healthy cells along with cancer cells.
Common mesothelioma immunotherapy side effects include:
- Appetite loss
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Pruritus (itchy skin)
- Rash
- Shortness of breath
The side effects you may experience depend on which immunotherapy drug(s) you receive and how your body reacts to them.
Your health care provider, along with our on-staff registered nurses, can help you manage any mesothelioma immunotherapy side effects.
New Clinical Trials for Mesothelioma Immunotherapy
Doctors continue to study new types of immunotherapy, as well as better ways to use established ones, through clinical trials. Your mesothelioma specialist can help determine if a clinical trial testing immunotherapy could help you or someone you love fight back against this cancer.
Ongoing trials for mesothelioma and immunotherapy are studying:
- Opdivo, Yervoy, and surgery: Doctors want to learn if using Opdivo and Yervoy followed by surgery will help patients with sarcomatoid mesothelioma live longer.
- Radiation therapy and Keytruda: The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is trying to find the safest dose of intensity-modulated radiation in combination with Keytruda. Researchers will determine the best dose and then test it on humans.
- VET3-TGI and Keytruda: This trial is studying a new immunotherapy called VET3-TGI for use alone and in combination with Keytruda to treat advanced mesothelioma and other cancers.
Clinical trials typically allow patients to join at no cost, although you might have to pay for transportation and lodging if you don’t live nearby.
Fortunately, our mesothelioma lawyers may be able to help you afford travel expenses and other costs.
Get Help Affording Mesothelioma Immunotherapy
If you are facing a mesothelioma diagnosis, immunotherapy could help to extend your life expectancy. While immunotherapy can be expensive, you may be eligible for compensation from a mesothelioma lawsuit.
As a national asbestos law firm, Sokolove Law has over 45 years of experience helping patients secure the money they need to afford mesothelioma treatments like immunotherapy.
“James Sokolove was the guy who originated taking care of people with mesothelioma."
– Dennis, Firm Mesothelioma Client
Our mesothelioma attorneys have recovered over $5.2 Billion for patients and families in all 50 states. Many of our clients start receiving compensation within 90 days of contacting us.
Call (800) 647-3434 now or complete our contact form to get a free case review. There and no upfront costs or hourly fees to work with our team.
Immunotherapy in Mesothelioma FAQs
Can mesothelioma be treated with immunotherapy?
Yes. Immunotherapy medications like Opdivo (nivolumab), Yervoy (ipilimumab), and Keytruda (pembrolizumab) can effectively destroy mesothelioma and potentially help patients live longer. All three are approved by the FDA.
Many other types of mesothelioma immunotherapy are also being studied in clinical trials with the hopes of improving more patients’ lives.
Immunotherapy can be expensive, but Sokolove Law may be able to help you pursue compensation. Get a free case review now to find out if you qualify.
What is the new immunotherapy for mesothelioma?
Keytruda is the newest immunotherapy drug being used to treat mesothelioma. It was approved by the FDA in September 2024 following success in clinical trials.
Two other immunotherapy drugs, Opdivo and Yervoy, also received FDA approval for mesothelioma in 2020. This combination of drugs marked the first new treatment for pleural mesothelioma in over 16 years.
What is the life expectancy of someone with immunotherapy for mesothelioma?
The average life expectancy of mesothelioma patients treated with immunotherapy is 18.1 months, according to the CheckMate-743 trial. This is 4 months longer than the average survival of patients who receive chemotherapy.
How long you may live after receiving immunotherapy depends on factors like how advanced your cancer is, your general health, and more. Each patient is different.
Mesothelioma immunotherapy treatments can be expensive, but you may qualify for compensation that can help pay for medical bills and more. Call (800) 647-3434 now to see if we may be able to help you secure the money you deserve.
How effective is immunotherapy for mesothelioma?
Immunotherapy can be very effective in treating mesothelioma, helping to slow the spread of the illness.
In the KEYNOTE-483 study, 52% of mesothelioma patients treated with Keytruda and chemotherapy saw their tumors either stop growing or shrink. This combination also reduced the risk of dying by 21%.
Opdivo and Yervoy have also shown encouraging results. In the CheckMate-743 trial, 41% of patients treated with this combination had their tumors shrink or stabilize, compared to just 27% of patients treated with chemotherapy.
Is there immunotherapy for stage 4 mesothelioma?
Yes, there is immunotherapy for stage 4 mesothelioma. Opdivo, Yervoy, and Keytruda are all approved by the FDA for treating advanced stages of this cancer.
Patients with stage 4 mesothelioma can find hope knowing that these immunotherapies may potentially improve their life expectancy and give them more time to make memories with loved ones.
Does immunotherapy work for epithelioid mesothelioma?
Yes, immunotherapy can help treat epithelioid mesothelioma, which is the most common of the three cell types of this cancer.
Epithelioid patients treated with Opdivo and Yervoy lived for 18.7 months on average in the CheckMate-743 clinical trial. Epithelioid patients who received just chemotherapy in this trial only lived for 16.5 months.
Opdivo and Yervoy are even more effective for sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma, which are rarer and more aggressive cell types. In the same trial, patients with these types survived for an average of 18.1 months with immunotherapy, compared to just 8.8 months with chemotherapy.
How much does immunotherapy for mesothelioma cost?
Mesothelioma immunotherapy costs can be incredibly expensive. Different immunotherapies can cost between $150,000 and $292,000 a year. Even with insurance, the price can still overwhelm many families.
You could qualify for free immunotherapies by joining a clinical trial. However, if you don’t live near a hospital offering the trial, you may have to pay out-of-pocket travel, transportation, and lodging expenses.
At Sokolove Law, we may be able to help you seek compensation for the cost of mesothelioma immunotherapy and other bills after a diagnosis. Call (800) 647-3434 now to get started.
What are mesothelioma immunotherapy side effects?
Common side effects of mesothelioma immunotherapy include appetite loss, pain, diarrhea, nausea, and fatigue. These side effects are often the result of your immune system harming healthy tissue while fighting the cancer.
Your doctors will monitor you for any side effects and recommend ways to manage them, like pain-relieving medication.
