The MARS2 trial (Mesothelioma and Radical Surgery 2) was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) surgery in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure. The trial aimed to determine whether this surgery, which removes the lining of the lung and potentially other affected tissues, improves survival when combined with standard treatments like chemotherapy.
The trial results, published in 2024, showed that adding surgery to chemotherapy did not significantly improve overall survival compared to chemotherapy alone. The median survival was around 19.3 months for the surgery and chemotherapy group and 24.8 months for the non-surgery (chemotherapy only) group. Moreover, surgery was associated with higher risks of complications.
Ultimately, the MARS2 trial concluded that P/D surgery should not be a routine treatment for all mesothelioma patients, emphasizing the importance of individualized care based on patient health and tumor characteristics.