September 26, 2016, was Mesothelioma Awareness Day. This day dedicated to raising awareness for mesothelioma, was established in 2004 by the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF). MARF is a nonprofit organization that believes that there is a cure for mesothelioma and through education, fundraising and awareness, a cure can be[…]
Novel Treatments & Drugs
Groundbreaking Clinical Trial for Mesothelioma Patients
The researchers and scientists at the Baylor College of Medicine Mesothelioma Treatment Center at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center excitedly announced a new clinical trial that combines immunotherapy and surgery for the treatment of mesothelioma. This is the first time that these two treatments have been combined and scientists and[…]
The Importance of Clinical Trials – Especially for Mesothelioma Victims
A rare and aggressive malignancy, mesothelioma, is cancer affecting the lining that surrounds various organs and cavities within the body. Mesothelioma gets its name from this lining, which is called the mesothelium. Mesothelioma is a cancer that is strictly caused by asbestos exposure. Victims are typically only given a year, sometimes[…]
Scientists Focus on Enzymes and Proteins to Develop New Treatments
Scientists are continually exploring new opportunities for drugs to combat mesothelioma and recently, scientists have zeroed in on a particular enzyme that is said to be “overexpressed” in pleural mesothelioma. This enzyme, known as orotate phosphoribosyl transferase (OPRT) is believed to curb the development and spread of mesothelioma which would[…]
Medical Marijuana: A New Treatment for Mesothelioma?
Earlier this month, Ohio legislators approved a bill that would allow patients with malignant mesothelioma to buy and use marijuana for medical purposes – legally. The bill will now move on to the governor, and if that is signed, Ohio will become the 25th state to legalize some form of[…]
New Treatments Target the Immune System of Victims of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma, a rare and deadly cancer, is a cancer that affects the mesothelium, which is the lining that surrounds internal organs. Pleural mesothelioma is cancer that appears in the lining of the lungs, and accounts for about 75% of all mesothelioma cases. Aggressive cancers such as mesothelioma take a toll[…]
Positive Genetic Studies and Treatment for Mesothelioma Patients
Understanding malignant mesothelioma and the way it develops is significant when discovering prevention, development control, and the eventual lead to a cure. Cancer researchers at the Mayo Clinic have been researching the genetic composition of the disease in hopes to find a connection between the development of mesothelioma and mutations[…]
New mesothelioma treatment method may prolong the effectiveness of chemotherapy combination
Chemotherapy remains one of the most effective treatments for mesothelioma. Because there is no cure, it works to prolong the lives of patients. Unfortunately, even the most effective methods can become inadequate as treatments continue. A current clinical trial is attempting to extend the usefulness period of chemotherapy and in[…]
Adding an inhibitor to mesothelioma treatment proves effective
A recent mesothelioma study found the addition of bevacizumab to the chemotherapy treatment of pemetrexed plus cisplatin may increase the survival rate in patients. From 2008 to 2014, patients were given the standard treatment in 21-day increments for six cycles, with some receiving bevacizumab. The addition of bevacizumab increased survival[…]
Study finds new treatment boosts chemotherapy results in mesothelioma
Researchers with the National Cancer Institute recently found an immunotoxin may increase the efficacy of chemotherapy. When combined with popular treatments cisplatin and pemetrexed, SS1P caused antitumor activity in patients. SS1P is an immunotoxin, a protein made by humans with a large targeting section linked to a toxin. Specifically, SS1P[…]