Researchers in China found a substance that may lead to mesothelioma. Developed to resist chemicals, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are used in textiles, manufacturing, electronics and optics. Like asbestos, the MWCNTs may cause mesothelioma when inhaled. Rats at the Anhui Medical University College of Basic Medial Sciences were exposed to[…]
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The ISET (Isolation by Size of Epithelial Tumor Cells) and the CellSearch Methods in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Purpose: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) has a growing incidence and in spite of early diagnostic, their outcome remains dismal. The evolution of MPM is often local with rare distant metastases. There is now a sizable body of evidence that metastases could develop from circulating tumor cells (CTC) spread in blood before or during surgery. Thus, sensitive and specific detection of CTC in blood is considered as a potentially relevant predictive biomarker for patients with carcinomas. In exchange, the prognostic value of CTC in MPM has not yet been evaluated.
Indeed, the main goal for preoperative detection of CTC is to identify patients with high risk of recurrence after surgery, in order to perform more adapted therapeutic strategy. Despite several studies reported about CTC detection, methodological aspects concerning sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility have prevented a clear appraisal of their clinical impact. Thus, the aim of our study is to evaluate the presence and the prognostic value of CTC in MPM by a double approach. In our setting, cytopathological analysis of circulating non hematological cells (CNHC), of epithelial origin, isolated according to their size (ISET, Isolation by Size of Epithelial Tumor cells) along with immunomagnetic selection, identification and enumeration of circulating epithelial cells in peripheral blood (CellSearch method) is considered a promising approach.
Asbestos Infographic highlights dangers and risks
Thank you Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization for creating this informative tool!
Actor’s death proves asbestos doesn’t just affect workers
Last October, character actor Ed Lauter lost a battle with mesothelioma, an asbestos-induced cancer. Famous for his roles in Law and Order, The Longest Yard and The Artist, his death due to asbestos exposure serves as a testament to the risks posed by the fibrous carcinogen. In April 2014, Lauter’s[…]
Early Detection of Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma in Workers Exposed to Asbestos
Purpose: This is a pilot study that aims to develop a lung cancer screening program for workers in British Columbia, Canada exposed to asbestos who are at risk of developing lung cancer/pleural mesothelioma. This is high risk population is at of respiratory system diseases as a result of their occupational exposures. Additionally, knowledge garnered from this study will allow us to develop other studies that will further our understanding of asbestos related lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma treatments found in unlikely places
Scientists around the world work endlessly to discover new treatments for mesothelioma. Taking decades to develop, the asbestos-caused cancer leaves most with less than a year to live after diagnosis. Many studies focus on the effectiveness of current treatments, hoping to expand current knowledge and provide victims with the best[…]
Extrapleural Pneumonectomy /Pleurectomy Decortication, IHOC Cisplatin and Gemcitabine With Amifostine and Sodium Thiosulfate Cytoprotection for Resectable Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Purpose
This is a Phase I trial to study the efficacy of combination chemotherapy consisting of gemcitabine and cisplatin administered in the operating room and put into the chest and abdomen for one hour. We are also looking at the effects of heating the chemotherapy to a temperature of 42 degrees Celsius and the effect of cytoprotection agents: amifostine and sodium thiosulfate to counteract potential side effects of chemotherapy.
Rationale
After removal of visible cancer in the chest, chemotherapy drugs are used to kill or stop tumor cells from dividing, so that they stop growing or/and die. Cisplatin is currently used safely as in intra-operative treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma. This study is aimed to determine if the addition of gemcitabine as a second intracavitary chemotherapy can be accomplished safely.
Asbestos, a known killer, continues to wreak havoc with no end in sight
Imagine a group of murderers, terrorizing the world under the guise of protecting our safety. After thousands of unnecessary deaths, someone finally stands up to the killers and sends all but one to jail. Why leave this one free? Certain people claim he’s less dangerous than his associates. He really[…]
Phase II Study of Six Hours Low Dose Gemcitabine Plus Cisplatin in the Treatment for Advanced Pleural Mesothelioma
Purpose
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare disease, but with a very high mortality. MPM is frequently found in advanced stages. The standard treatment in advanced pleural mesothelioma is cisplatin-based chemotherapy combined with pemetrexed/raltitrexed (phase III studies showed its benefit in response and overall survival compared with cisplatin alone). There are other active drugs such as liposomal doxorubicin and gemcitabine. Unfortunately, cost is an important factor to consider in our population and standard treatments are very expensive. Gemcitabine 250 mg infused over 6 hrs in combination with cisplatin, compared to the standard administration of gemcitabine 1250 mg infusion of 30 minutes in NSCLC, combined with cisplatin showed 75 mg shown in a study to be equally effective in treating cancer non-small cell lung. A phase II study using this strategy for advanced MPM has shown promising results. Gemcitabine administered in low dose in a six hour infusion may reduce cost of treatment without altering the effectiveness.
Men jailed for knowingly exposing teens to asbestos
Three men in California faced a choice- properly remove asbestos in their building or intentionally deceive workers to incorrectly complete the task for them. Rather than follow the right path of honesty, Patrick Bowman, Rudy Buendia II and Joseph Cuellar decided to endanger the lives of their helpers to save[…]
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