Raltitrexed (Tomudex®) in combination with cisplatin in the treatment of MPM improves median overall survival compared to treatment with cisplatin alone.1 With incidence rates expected to double over the next 20 years in many countries2, new and effective treatments are a welcome addition, concluded an eminent panel of international speakers at a symposium sponsored by Hospira at the 35th congress of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), Milan.
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, a thin membrane that lines the inner surface of the chest wall where it is known as the pleura. It also surrounds the organs found within this cavity, for example the heart and lungs.3 Speakers at the symposium highlighted that whilst MPM - most commonly caused by exposure to asbestos - is a rare disease (the incidence is estimated to be 1.1-1.25 cases per 100,000 people), its incidence is expected to double over the next 20 years in many countries.2
Historically MPM has been treated with radiotherapy or surgery, despite minimal evidence to support these treatment options and both being associated with low success rates.4,5,6 Speakers highlighted that over recent years the treatment of MPM has been simplified with the development of chemotherapy regimens as first-line treatment options.
Speakers referred to a clinical trial of first-line raltitrexed in combination with cisplatin, which showed that overall response rates in the raltitrexed group were higher compared to patients treated with cisplatin alone (23.6% vs. 13.6%; p=0.056).1 Raltitrexed improved median overall survival by 2.8 months compared to patients treated with cisplatin alone (11.4 vs. 8.8 months; p=0.0483).1 In addition, raltitrexed was associated with improved progression-free survival (5.3 vs. 4.0 months; p=0.058) compared to treatment with cisplatin alone.1
"MPM is a hard to treat, rare cancer with a poor prognosis. New treatment options such as a combination of cisplatin and raltitrexed, which improve patient outcomes with no detrimental effect on quality of life as compared to cisplatin alone are a welcome addition to our therapeutic portfolio," said Professor JP van Meerbeeck, professor of Thoracic Oncology at Ghent University, Belgium.
Treatment of MPM with chemotherapy regimens, including those that are cisplatin-based, is associated with a high incidence of neutropenia and anaemia. Neutropenia is the most serious haematological toxicity that occurs as a result of cancer chemotherapy and can lead to chemotherapy dose reductions and/or dose delays compared with the prescribed schedule.7 Anaemia is associated with fatigue and poor quality of life. Supportive care to treat neutropenia and anaemia is therefore very important. Hospira has a broad oncology portfolio including supportive care drugs: NivestimTM (filgrastim) and RetacritTM (epoetin zeta), which are licensed for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and anaemia respectively.
Source: Hospira.
Thursday, 4 November 2010
Saturday, 5 June 2010
Joint Study By Rosetta Genomics And NYU Langone Medical Center discovers possible MicroRNA Drug Target For Mesothelioma
Rosetta Genomics, Ltd. (NASDAQ: ROSG), a leading developer and provider of microRNA-based molecular diagnostics, announced today that the results of a joint study with the NYU Langone Medical Center were published on May 12th, 2010 in the online issue of The Journal of Biological Chemistry. The study "Pro-tumorigenic Effects of miR-31 Loss in Mesothelioma," demonstrates the potential of miR-31 to be used for the development of new therapies against mesothelioma and other cancers.
In the study, cell lines derived from mesothelioma patients were found not to express miR-31, a microRNA that has recently been characterized as a suppressor of breast cancer metastases. Functional assessment of miR-31 activity revealed its ability to inhibit proliferation, migration, invasion, and clonogenicity of mesothelioma cells. Reintroduction of miR-31 suppressed cell cycle and inhibited expression of multiple factors involved in cooperative maintenance of DNA replication and cell cycle progression.
"Over the past several years, microRNAs have been hailed as one of the most significant scientific and medical discoveries. They have been described as the body's 'master switches', holding significant potential for therapeutic applications, and have been shown to be highly sensitive and specific biomarkers. This latest publication is another demonstration of microRNAs' potential role in cancer therapeutics, and details the significant impact a single microRNA can have on disease course," noted Kenneth A. Berlin, President and CEO of Rosetta Genomics. "Through our commercially available diagnostic tests for cancer, as well as through a robust and diverse microRNA-based product pipeline, we aim to continue to lead in this field by harnessing the power of microRNAs to advance patient care worldwide."
Source
Rosetta Genomics
In the study, cell lines derived from mesothelioma patients were found not to express miR-31, a microRNA that has recently been characterized as a suppressor of breast cancer metastases. Functional assessment of miR-31 activity revealed its ability to inhibit proliferation, migration, invasion, and clonogenicity of mesothelioma cells. Reintroduction of miR-31 suppressed cell cycle and inhibited expression of multiple factors involved in cooperative maintenance of DNA replication and cell cycle progression.
"Over the past several years, microRNAs have been hailed as one of the most significant scientific and medical discoveries. They have been described as the body's 'master switches', holding significant potential for therapeutic applications, and have been shown to be highly sensitive and specific biomarkers. This latest publication is another demonstration of microRNAs' potential role in cancer therapeutics, and details the significant impact a single microRNA can have on disease course," noted Kenneth A. Berlin, President and CEO of Rosetta Genomics. "Through our commercially available diagnostic tests for cancer, as well as through a robust and diverse microRNA-based product pipeline, we aim to continue to lead in this field by harnessing the power of microRNAs to advance patient care worldwide."
Source
Rosetta Genomics
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
Quick Reference Factsheet To Guide Retailers On Asbestos, UK
Retailers are being sent a quick reference factsheet to help them understand their legal responsibilities on asbestos to ensure their workers, customers or any contractors are protected from exposure.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has teamed up with the BHF-BSSA Group - an independent retail trade body representing more than 7500 small retailers, after it was found that compliance with 'duty to manage' regulations was particularly low in this sector.
Any person or organisation responsible for the maintenance or repair of non domestic premises will almost certainly be responsible for managing any asbestos present, under Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006.
The Fact Sheet outlines:
- Who has the duty to manage;
- What the duty to manage means;
- Three essential steps to comply with the duty; and
- Advice on asbestos surveys.
Steve Coldrick, HSE's Asbestos Programme Director, said:
"Around 4000 people die each year from past exposure to asbestos. It may be present in any building built before the year 2000, and so it is essential that retailers are aware of the risk it still poses and their responsibilities in managing it.
"Working with the BHF-BSSA to put in simple terms what businesses should be doing will help remove any mystery or uncertainty around the regulations."
Michael Weedon, BHF-BSSA Group Communications Manager, said: "Contractors never know what they are walking into when they start work on a job but retailers walk into the same premises day after day after day, so they really need to know what is lurking in their environment.
"Our factsheet sets out to make the subject clear and easy to understand, both for those who own their own premises and those who rent them from others."
The Fact Sheet is available to BHF-BSSA members at http://www.bssa.co.uk.
Notes
- The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It works to prevent death, injury and ill-health to those at work and those affected by work activities. For more information about the work of HSE, visit http://www.hse.gov.uk
- BHF-BSSA Group is the umbrella group for seven trade associations representing independent retailers and dealers. Formed in 2009 from the merger of BHF Group, which was founded in 1899 and The British Shops & Stores Association (BSSA) which was formed in 1991, it has more than 7500 members across the UK. BHF-BSSA Group provides services to help support independents, as well as working on their behalf to represent their interests to local, national government and international government (EU). The Group includes: British Hardware Federation (BHF): British Shops & Stores Association (bssa), British Agricultural & Garden Machinery Association (BAGMA): Cookshop & Housewares Association (CHA): Home Decoration Retailers Association (HDRA): Independent Builders Merchant Services (IBMS): Pet Product Retailers Assocation (PPRA).
- Any person or organisation responsible for protecting others who work in or use non-domestic premises has a duty to manage the risks to health that exposure to asbestos causes. In many cases, this is the person or organisation that has clear responsibility for the maintenance or repair of the premises.
- 'Non-domestic premises' includes all industrial, commercial or public buildings such as factories, warehouses, offices, shops, hospitals and schools; and also includes common areas of some domestic premises.
Source
HSE
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has teamed up with the BHF-BSSA Group - an independent retail trade body representing more than 7500 small retailers, after it was found that compliance with 'duty to manage' regulations was particularly low in this sector.
Any person or organisation responsible for the maintenance or repair of non domestic premises will almost certainly be responsible for managing any asbestos present, under Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006.
The Fact Sheet outlines:
- Who has the duty to manage;
- What the duty to manage means;
- Three essential steps to comply with the duty; and
- Advice on asbestos surveys.
Steve Coldrick, HSE's Asbestos Programme Director, said:
"Around 4000 people die each year from past exposure to asbestos. It may be present in any building built before the year 2000, and so it is essential that retailers are aware of the risk it still poses and their responsibilities in managing it.
"Working with the BHF-BSSA to put in simple terms what businesses should be doing will help remove any mystery or uncertainty around the regulations."
Michael Weedon, BHF-BSSA Group Communications Manager, said: "Contractors never know what they are walking into when they start work on a job but retailers walk into the same premises day after day after day, so they really need to know what is lurking in their environment.
"Our factsheet sets out to make the subject clear and easy to understand, both for those who own their own premises and those who rent them from others."
The Fact Sheet is available to BHF-BSSA members at http://www.bssa.co.uk.
Notes
- The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It works to prevent death, injury and ill-health to those at work and those affected by work activities. For more information about the work of HSE, visit http://www.hse.gov.uk
- BHF-BSSA Group is the umbrella group for seven trade associations representing independent retailers and dealers. Formed in 2009 from the merger of BHF Group, which was founded in 1899 and The British Shops & Stores Association (BSSA) which was formed in 1991, it has more than 7500 members across the UK. BHF-BSSA Group provides services to help support independents, as well as working on their behalf to represent their interests to local, national government and international government (EU). The Group includes: British Hardware Federation (BHF): British Shops & Stores Association (bssa), British Agricultural & Garden Machinery Association (BAGMA): Cookshop & Housewares Association (CHA): Home Decoration Retailers Association (HDRA): Independent Builders Merchant Services (IBMS): Pet Product Retailers Assocation (PPRA).
- Any person or organisation responsible for protecting others who work in or use non-domestic premises has a duty to manage the risks to health that exposure to asbestos causes. In many cases, this is the person or organisation that has clear responsibility for the maintenance or repair of the premises.
- 'Non-domestic premises' includes all industrial, commercial or public buildings such as factories, warehouses, offices, shops, hospitals and schools; and also includes common areas of some domestic premises.
Source
HSE
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization Applauds APHA's Call For Ban On Asbestos, Annual Warnings For Workers In High-Risk Occupations
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) applauds the American Public Health Association (APHA), the largest and most diverse public health organization in the world. APHA adopted a resolution calling on Congress to pass legislation banning the manufacture, sale, export, or import of asbestos containing products including products in which asbestos is a contaminant. Asbestos, a known carcinogen, annually claims the lives of more than 10,000 Americans.
"With this new policy, APHA is joining the World Federation of Public Health Associations and other international organizations calling for a global ban on asbestos mining, and manufacturing, and the dangerous practice of exporting asbestos containing products," said Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH, Chair of APHA's Occupational Health and Safety section. "As the World Health Organization noted in 2006, the most efficient way to eliminate asbestos related diseases is to stop using all types of asbestos."
"ADAO applauds APHA for passage of the landmark Elimination of Asbestos Resolution," said Linda Reinstein, Executive Director and Co-founder of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization. "APHA set a precedent with strong language aimed at preventing asbestos exposure to eliminate deadly diseases. Ambler, Pennsylvania - now a superfund site - is still plagued from asbestos piles left behind from the once profitable asbestos businesses. We can't let history repeat itself - it is time to ban asbestos and fund educational and research programs. APHA renews our optimism that a federal asbestos ban is eminent."
Source
American Public Health Association (APHA)
"With this new policy, APHA is joining the World Federation of Public Health Associations and other international organizations calling for a global ban on asbestos mining, and manufacturing, and the dangerous practice of exporting asbestos containing products," said Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH, Chair of APHA's Occupational Health and Safety section. "As the World Health Organization noted in 2006, the most efficient way to eliminate asbestos related diseases is to stop using all types of asbestos."
"ADAO applauds APHA for passage of the landmark Elimination of Asbestos Resolution," said Linda Reinstein, Executive Director and Co-founder of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization. "APHA set a precedent with strong language aimed at preventing asbestos exposure to eliminate deadly diseases. Ambler, Pennsylvania - now a superfund site - is still plagued from asbestos piles left behind from the once profitable asbestos businesses. We can't let history repeat itself - it is time to ban asbestos and fund educational and research programs. APHA renews our optimism that a federal asbestos ban is eminent."
Source
American Public Health Association (APHA)
Monday, 3 May 2010
'Hidden Killer' Asbestos Campaign Wins International Award
A campaign warning tradespeople about the dangers of asbestos has won a prestigious international award.
The Health and Safety Executive's 'hidden killer' campaign came top in the health category of the European Excellence Awards, held in Vienna, which honour outstanding achievements in public relations.
Around 20 tradesmen a week die in the UK from asbestos-related diseases and the aim of the campaign, launched in autumn 2008, was to help prevent another generation of plumbers, plasterers, electricians and joiners having their lives cut short.
HSE worked with communications agency MS&L to devise the PR campaign which used a football analogy to raise awareness of the numbers of people still dying from asbestos exposure, with ex-England player and former plasterer, Ian Wright, brought on board to spearhead it.
The launch was covered by broadcast, print and online media, including the flagship BBC Radio 4 Today programme and GMTV. By the end of the campaign, HSE had seen a 100 per cent increase in calls to Infoline line and a six-fold increase in page requests on the campaign microsite.
Steve Coldrick, HSE's asbestos programme director said:
"Asbestos remains Britain's biggest workplace killer, but with the perception that it is largely a risk of the past we needed a hard-hitting PR campaign that would capture the imagination of tradesmen, particularly young ones. Using Ian Wright, a former tradesman, ticked all the boxes for us and delivered great results.
"We're pleased that our approach has been recognised and commended by experts in the communications industry. The award is a testament to the good working relationship between HSE's communications and asbestos programme teams and MSL"
The European Excellence Award is one of a number of accolades for HSE's 'Hidden Killer' campaign. It was highly commended at the PR Week Awards in October and shortlisted for a PRCA Award in November The print advertisements won an ANNA 'ad of the week' award (Awards for National Newspaper Advertising) and were nominated for 'ad of the year' under the same scheme.
The second phase of the campaign has just come to an end with early indications of success. More than 4000 calls were made to Infoline during November and there were around 200 items of regional coverage.
Source
HSE
The Health and Safety Executive's 'hidden killer' campaign came top in the health category of the European Excellence Awards, held in Vienna, which honour outstanding achievements in public relations.
Around 20 tradesmen a week die in the UK from asbestos-related diseases and the aim of the campaign, launched in autumn 2008, was to help prevent another generation of plumbers, plasterers, electricians and joiners having their lives cut short.
HSE worked with communications agency MS&L to devise the PR campaign which used a football analogy to raise awareness of the numbers of people still dying from asbestos exposure, with ex-England player and former plasterer, Ian Wright, brought on board to spearhead it.
The launch was covered by broadcast, print and online media, including the flagship BBC Radio 4 Today programme and GMTV. By the end of the campaign, HSE had seen a 100 per cent increase in calls to Infoline line and a six-fold increase in page requests on the campaign microsite.
Steve Coldrick, HSE's asbestos programme director said:
"Asbestos remains Britain's biggest workplace killer, but with the perception that it is largely a risk of the past we needed a hard-hitting PR campaign that would capture the imagination of tradesmen, particularly young ones. Using Ian Wright, a former tradesman, ticked all the boxes for us and delivered great results.
"We're pleased that our approach has been recognised and commended by experts in the communications industry. The award is a testament to the good working relationship between HSE's communications and asbestos programme teams and MSL"
The European Excellence Award is one of a number of accolades for HSE's 'Hidden Killer' campaign. It was highly commended at the PR Week Awards in October and shortlisted for a PRCA Award in November The print advertisements won an ANNA 'ad of the week' award (Awards for National Newspaper Advertising) and were nominated for 'ad of the year' under the same scheme.
The second phase of the campaign has just come to an end with early indications of success. More than 4000 calls were made to Infoline during November and there were around 200 items of regional coverage.
Source
HSE
Bristol Landlord Fined For Asbestos Exposure
A Bristol-based company has been fined for putting its workers at risk of asbestos-related diseases while working on a property in the city.
Frank Bruce and Company Ltd, of St George, Bristol pleaded guilty at Bristol Magistrates in relation to refurbishment work at Lawrence Hill Industrial Park in the city during February and March 2009.
The court heard Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors visited industrial units where the defendant had organised refurbishment work involving the removal of a large quantity of asbestos insulation board without taking statutory safety precautions.
This led to exposure of the workers to the asbestos and also the contamination of the units being renovated.
The court heard the company plead guilty to breaches under Regulation 14 of the Construction (Design and Management) [CDM] Regulations 2007 by failing to appoint a CDM-coordinator or principal contractor for notifiable construction work and Regulation 4 (10) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations by failing to review or implement a plan to manage materials containing asbestos.
Frank Bruce and Co was today (WED) fined £18,000 for breaching the regulations and ordered to pay £6,679 costs.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Sue Adsett said: "The decision not to have large quantities of asbestos insulation board removed by licensed contractors before the general refurbishment work began, put the workers at risk and contaminated the site.
"The work was stopped and the defendant paid to make the site safe, but this doesn't change the fact that seven construction workers were exposed to asbestos, which we know can cause fatal diseases.
"Landlords and property developers need to be very wary of organising construction work themselves if they haven't got appropriate experience of managing health and safety in building projects."
Around 500,000 buildings built before 2000 could contain asbestos, according to HSE estimates. If managed properly and kept in good condition, asbestos need not pose safety concerns.
Landlords need to arrange for 'Type 3' surveys to be done before refurbishment or demolition and pass this information on to builders before asking them to start work. Some asbestos products - such as Asbestos Insulation Boards or Asbestos Insulation - can only be removed by specially licensed contractors.
Notes
1. Further guidance and advice on health and safety issues relating to asbestos can be found on the HSE website.
Source
HSE
Frank Bruce and Company Ltd, of St George, Bristol pleaded guilty at Bristol Magistrates in relation to refurbishment work at Lawrence Hill Industrial Park in the city during February and March 2009.
The court heard Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors visited industrial units where the defendant had organised refurbishment work involving the removal of a large quantity of asbestos insulation board without taking statutory safety precautions.
This led to exposure of the workers to the asbestos and also the contamination of the units being renovated.
The court heard the company plead guilty to breaches under Regulation 14 of the Construction (Design and Management) [CDM] Regulations 2007 by failing to appoint a CDM-coordinator or principal contractor for notifiable construction work and Regulation 4 (10) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations by failing to review or implement a plan to manage materials containing asbestos.
Frank Bruce and Co was today (WED) fined £18,000 for breaching the regulations and ordered to pay £6,679 costs.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Sue Adsett said: "The decision not to have large quantities of asbestos insulation board removed by licensed contractors before the general refurbishment work began, put the workers at risk and contaminated the site.
"The work was stopped and the defendant paid to make the site safe, but this doesn't change the fact that seven construction workers were exposed to asbestos, which we know can cause fatal diseases.
"Landlords and property developers need to be very wary of organising construction work themselves if they haven't got appropriate experience of managing health and safety in building projects."
Around 500,000 buildings built before 2000 could contain asbestos, according to HSE estimates. If managed properly and kept in good condition, asbestos need not pose safety concerns.
Landlords need to arrange for 'Type 3' surveys to be done before refurbishment or demolition and pass this information on to builders before asking them to start work. Some asbestos products - such as Asbestos Insulation Boards or Asbestos Insulation - can only be removed by specially licensed contractors.
Notes
1. Further guidance and advice on health and safety issues relating to asbestos can be found on the HSE website.
Source
HSE
Friday, 30 April 2010
Joint Study By Rosetta Genomics And NYU Langone Medical Center Identifies Single MicroRNA Biomarker For Prognosis Of Mesothelioma Patients
Rosetta Genomics, Ltd. (NASDAQ: ROSG), a leading developer and provider of microRNA-based molecular diagnostics, announced today that the results of a joint study with the NYU Langone Medical Center were published online on February 16th, 2010, and are set to be published in the March 1st issue of the American Association for Cancer Research's journal, Cancer Research. The study, "Hsa-Mir-29c* is Linked to the Prognosis of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma," demonstrates the potential of a single microRNA to act as an independent prognostic factor for time to progression as well as survival after surgery. The abstract of the study may be viewed online here.
In the study, 142 MPM tumors were analyzed for microRNA expression levels using Rosetta Genomics' proprietary microRNA-based array and qRT-PCR technologies. The results clearly demonstrate that higher levels of miR-29c* in MPM predict a more favorable prognosis. Not only was the microRNA able to separate MPM patients by time to progression after surgery, but it also stratified these patients by their survival.
When examining Time to Progression (TTP) of MPM, the expression level of miR-29c* enabled the identification of two groups with significantly different median TTP: 4 months versus 14 months in the study's training set, and 5.5 months versus 12.8 months in the study's test set.
When examining survival rates for MPM, the expression level of miR-29c* enabled the identification of two groups as well: median survival of 8 months versus 32 months in the study's training set, and median survival of 9.1 months versus 21.6 months in the study's test set. This new diagnostic capability may help physicians apply more aggressive therapeutic modalities to the poor prognosis group.
Furthermore, the study found that over-expression of miR-29c* in mesothelioma cell lines resulted in significantly decreased proliferation, migration, invasion and colony formation.
"This is an exciting discovery which may have significant clinical impact on the treatment of MPM," said Harvey Pass, M.D., Professor and Chief, Division of Thoracic Surgery and Thoracic Oncology at NYU Langone Medical Center, and the lead investigator of this study. "While MPM is an aggressive cancer, our study showed that we can use a single microRNA to identify subgroups of patients who differ significantly in their time to progression and survival. When applied to a clinical setting, these findings may enable clinicians to apply multimodality therapy to the most appropriate patients. Furthermore, I think it is remarkable that a single biomarker can provide such insights into disease prognosis."
"In addition to the significant clinical importance of being able to forecast outcomes of MPM, this study demonstrates the tremendous potential microRNAs hold as biomarkers," noted Kenneth A. Berlin, President and CEO of Rosetta Genomics. "NYU Langone Medical Center chose Rosetta Genomics' platform technology for this study as it was the most technologically advanced, offering an extremely high sensitivity and specificity suitable for studying microRNAs in the clinical setting. The results of this study further validate the strength of our microRNA platform technologies and our ability to leverage that strength to help advance the standard of care."
About microRNAs
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are recently discovered, small RNAs that act as master regulators of protein synthesis, and have been shown to be highly effective biomarkers. MicroRNAs' unique advantage as biomarkers lies in their high tissue specificity, and their exceptional stability in the most routine preservation methods for biopsies, including Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded (FFPE) block. It has been suggested that their small size (19-21 nucleotides) enables them to remain intact in FFPE blocks, as opposed to messenger RNA (mRNA), which tends to degrade rapidly in samples preserved by this method. In addition, early preclinical data has shown that by controlling the levels of specific microRNAs, cancer cell growth may be reduced. To learn more about microRNAs, please visit http://www.rosettagenomics.com.
About miRview™ Products
miRview™ are a series of microRNA-based diagnostic products offered by Rosetta Genomics. miRview™ mets accurately identifies the primary tumor site in metastatic cancer and Cancer of Unknown Primary. miRview™ squamous accurately identifies the squamous subtype of NSCLC, which carries an increased risk of severe or fatal internal bleeding and poor response to treatment for certain therapies. miRview™ meso diagnoses mesothelioma, a cancer connected to asbestos exposure. miRview™ tests are designed to provide objective diagnostic data; it is the treating physician's responsibility to diagnose and administer the appropriate treatment. In the U.S. alone, over 100,000 patients a year may benefit from the miRview™ mets test, 60,000 from miRview™ squamous, and 60,000 from miRview™ meso, with similar numbers of patients outside the U.S. The company's tests are now being offered through distributors around the globe. For more information, please visit http://www.mirviewdx.com.
Source
Rosetta Genomics
In the study, 142 MPM tumors were analyzed for microRNA expression levels using Rosetta Genomics' proprietary microRNA-based array and qRT-PCR technologies. The results clearly demonstrate that higher levels of miR-29c* in MPM predict a more favorable prognosis. Not only was the microRNA able to separate MPM patients by time to progression after surgery, but it also stratified these patients by their survival.
When examining Time to Progression (TTP) of MPM, the expression level of miR-29c* enabled the identification of two groups with significantly different median TTP: 4 months versus 14 months in the study's training set, and 5.5 months versus 12.8 months in the study's test set.
When examining survival rates for MPM, the expression level of miR-29c* enabled the identification of two groups as well: median survival of 8 months versus 32 months in the study's training set, and median survival of 9.1 months versus 21.6 months in the study's test set. This new diagnostic capability may help physicians apply more aggressive therapeutic modalities to the poor prognosis group.
Furthermore, the study found that over-expression of miR-29c* in mesothelioma cell lines resulted in significantly decreased proliferation, migration, invasion and colony formation.
"This is an exciting discovery which may have significant clinical impact on the treatment of MPM," said Harvey Pass, M.D., Professor and Chief, Division of Thoracic Surgery and Thoracic Oncology at NYU Langone Medical Center, and the lead investigator of this study. "While MPM is an aggressive cancer, our study showed that we can use a single microRNA to identify subgroups of patients who differ significantly in their time to progression and survival. When applied to a clinical setting, these findings may enable clinicians to apply multimodality therapy to the most appropriate patients. Furthermore, I think it is remarkable that a single biomarker can provide such insights into disease prognosis."
"In addition to the significant clinical importance of being able to forecast outcomes of MPM, this study demonstrates the tremendous potential microRNAs hold as biomarkers," noted Kenneth A. Berlin, President and CEO of Rosetta Genomics. "NYU Langone Medical Center chose Rosetta Genomics' platform technology for this study as it was the most technologically advanced, offering an extremely high sensitivity and specificity suitable for studying microRNAs in the clinical setting. The results of this study further validate the strength of our microRNA platform technologies and our ability to leverage that strength to help advance the standard of care."
About microRNAs
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are recently discovered, small RNAs that act as master regulators of protein synthesis, and have been shown to be highly effective biomarkers. MicroRNAs' unique advantage as biomarkers lies in their high tissue specificity, and their exceptional stability in the most routine preservation methods for biopsies, including Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded (FFPE) block. It has been suggested that their small size (19-21 nucleotides) enables them to remain intact in FFPE blocks, as opposed to messenger RNA (mRNA), which tends to degrade rapidly in samples preserved by this method. In addition, early preclinical data has shown that by controlling the levels of specific microRNAs, cancer cell growth may be reduced. To learn more about microRNAs, please visit http://www.rosettagenomics.com.
About miRview™ Products
miRview™ are a series of microRNA-based diagnostic products offered by Rosetta Genomics. miRview™ mets accurately identifies the primary tumor site in metastatic cancer and Cancer of Unknown Primary. miRview™ squamous accurately identifies the squamous subtype of NSCLC, which carries an increased risk of severe or fatal internal bleeding and poor response to treatment for certain therapies. miRview™ meso diagnoses mesothelioma, a cancer connected to asbestos exposure. miRview™ tests are designed to provide objective diagnostic data; it is the treating physician's responsibility to diagnose and administer the appropriate treatment. In the U.S. alone, over 100,000 patients a year may benefit from the miRview™ mets test, 60,000 from miRview™ squamous, and 60,000 from miRview™ meso, with similar numbers of patients outside the U.S. The company's tests are now being offered through distributors around the globe. For more information, please visit http://www.mirviewdx.com.
Source
Rosetta Genomics
Thursday, 29 April 2010
New Research Could Help Provide Answers To Mesothelioma
The British Lung Foundation is working with the June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund to support new research which could lead to better treatments for mesothelioma, an incurable asbestos-related cancer that affects the tissues lining the outside of the lung and the chest wall (pleura).
Following a competitive grant application process, Dr Stefan Marciniak at the UniversityofCambridge was selected from a large field of excellent applicants, to be awarded the funding for his project, which will study the relationship between cell stress and mesothelioma. The grant is worth £118,839 and will run over two years.
Dr Marciniak heads a research group at the University ofCambridge. He is also a chest physician, specialising in diseases of the pleura. Through his research he hopes to gain a better understanding of why the cancer progresses. This will help scientists to create new ways of combating the disease.
The study will look at proteins which are produced by a part of the cell called the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Previous research by this group has shown that when these proteins are not made correctly, ER stress occurs and that ER stress is increased in mesothelioma cells. To investigate whether ER stress is linked to the progression of this cancer, the team will analyse tissue samples of mesothelioma. Furthermore, they hope to determine whether the amount of ER stress can predict the speed at which mesothelioma develops and the success of chemotherapy treatments.
Speaking about the research, Dr Stefan Marciniak, said: "I am thrilled to be awarded the June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund grant by the British Lung Foundation. As a chest physician I treat patients with pleural disease. I hope to be able to take my findings out of the laboratory to improve the treatments available to my patients in the future."
Dr Noemi Eiser, Honorary Medical Director for the British Lung Foundation, said: "Someone dies from mesothelioma in the UK every five hours. Research grants, like the June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund, are so important in furthering our understanding of this cruel lung disease. This study could really make a difference to the way we treat people with the disease in the future."
Spokesperson from June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund, Dr Kate Hill said: "The June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund is committed to supporting research that will find new ways to provide real benefits for patients. Choosing just one research study to fund from amongst the high quality applications we received was a difficult decision. We are convinced that Dr Marciniak's work has the potential to make a major contribution to current knowledge about mesothelioma and its treatment."
Later this year, the British Lung Foundation will launch their annual Action Mesothelioma Day on 2nd July. The day aims to raise awareness of the disease and improve the care and treatment for patients. It will also highlight the risk of asbestos exposure, particularly amongst the at-risk groups e.g. tradespeople. For more information go to www.lunguk.org/actionmeso
Notes
1.The British Lung Foundation is the only UK charity working for everyone affected by lung disease. The charity focuses its resources on providing support for people affected by lung disease today; and works in a variety of ways (including funding world-class research) to bring about positive change, to improve treatment, care and support for people affected by lung disease in the future.
2.It provides information via the website http://www.lunguk.org.
3.The June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund is an independent UK mesothelioma charity (Registered No 1121784). The Fund supports mesothelioma research projects, contributes to clinical trials with novel drug therapies, raises awareness of the disease amongst healthcare professionals and the public at large and provides information and advice for mesothelioma sufferers and their carers. For more see http://www.junehancockfund.org.
4.Mesothelioma is a malignant cancer which develops between 15 and 60 years after exposure to asbestos in the two-layered membrane surrounding the lungs and lining the inside of the rib cage (pleura).
5.Mesothelioma kills one person every five hours in the UK, yet only six per cent of people are aware of the disease.
6.The rising number of deaths from the condition is linked to the use of asbestos in the building industry up until the mid 1980s.
7.The number of mesothelioma deaths each year in the UK has increased from 153 in 1968 to around 2000 today
8.Experts predict that we will face a mesothelioma epidemic between 2011 and 2015 as the death toll rises over the next decade
9.30,000 people are thought to have died of mesothelioma already; a further 90,000 are expected to die of the disease by 2050
Source
British Lung Foundation
Following a competitive grant application process, Dr Stefan Marciniak at the UniversityofCambridge was selected from a large field of excellent applicants, to be awarded the funding for his project, which will study the relationship between cell stress and mesothelioma. The grant is worth £118,839 and will run over two years.
Dr Marciniak heads a research group at the University ofCambridge. He is also a chest physician, specialising in diseases of the pleura. Through his research he hopes to gain a better understanding of why the cancer progresses. This will help scientists to create new ways of combating the disease.
The study will look at proteins which are produced by a part of the cell called the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Previous research by this group has shown that when these proteins are not made correctly, ER stress occurs and that ER stress is increased in mesothelioma cells. To investigate whether ER stress is linked to the progression of this cancer, the team will analyse tissue samples of mesothelioma. Furthermore, they hope to determine whether the amount of ER stress can predict the speed at which mesothelioma develops and the success of chemotherapy treatments.
Speaking about the research, Dr Stefan Marciniak, said: "I am thrilled to be awarded the June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund grant by the British Lung Foundation. As a chest physician I treat patients with pleural disease. I hope to be able to take my findings out of the laboratory to improve the treatments available to my patients in the future."
Dr Noemi Eiser, Honorary Medical Director for the British Lung Foundation, said: "Someone dies from mesothelioma in the UK every five hours. Research grants, like the June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund, are so important in furthering our understanding of this cruel lung disease. This study could really make a difference to the way we treat people with the disease in the future."
Spokesperson from June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund, Dr Kate Hill said: "The June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund is committed to supporting research that will find new ways to provide real benefits for patients. Choosing just one research study to fund from amongst the high quality applications we received was a difficult decision. We are convinced that Dr Marciniak's work has the potential to make a major contribution to current knowledge about mesothelioma and its treatment."
Later this year, the British Lung Foundation will launch their annual Action Mesothelioma Day on 2nd July. The day aims to raise awareness of the disease and improve the care and treatment for patients. It will also highlight the risk of asbestos exposure, particularly amongst the at-risk groups e.g. tradespeople. For more information go to www.lunguk.org/actionmeso
Notes
1.The British Lung Foundation is the only UK charity working for everyone affected by lung disease. The charity focuses its resources on providing support for people affected by lung disease today; and works in a variety of ways (including funding world-class research) to bring about positive change, to improve treatment, care and support for people affected by lung disease in the future.
2.It provides information via the website http://www.lunguk.org.
3.The June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund is an independent UK mesothelioma charity (Registered No 1121784). The Fund supports mesothelioma research projects, contributes to clinical trials with novel drug therapies, raises awareness of the disease amongst healthcare professionals and the public at large and provides information and advice for mesothelioma sufferers and their carers. For more see http://www.junehancockfund.org.
4.Mesothelioma is a malignant cancer which develops between 15 and 60 years after exposure to asbestos in the two-layered membrane surrounding the lungs and lining the inside of the rib cage (pleura).
5.Mesothelioma kills one person every five hours in the UK, yet only six per cent of people are aware of the disease.
6.The rising number of deaths from the condition is linked to the use of asbestos in the building industry up until the mid 1980s.
7.The number of mesothelioma deaths each year in the UK has increased from 153 in 1968 to around 2000 today
8.Experts predict that we will face a mesothelioma epidemic between 2011 and 2015 as the death toll rises over the next decade
9.30,000 people are thought to have died of mesothelioma already; a further 90,000 are expected to die of the disease by 2050
Source
British Lung Foundation
ADAO Praises Senate For Passage Of Sixth Annual Resolution That Establishes "National Asbestos Awareness Week"
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), the largest U.S. organization serving as the voice of asbestos victims, today applauds the United State Senate for the passage of S.RES.427, a resolution that declares the first week of April as "National Asbestos Awareness Week" and urges the Surgeon General to warn and educate Americans of the severe hazards of asbestos exposure.
"We are grateful to the U.S. Senate for unanimously passing S. RES. 427 that will increase public awareness about asbestos, a known human carcinogen," said Linda Reinstein, CEO and Co-Founder, ADAO. "For the past six years, ADAO has seen that a week of awareness enables agencies, institutions and organizations to promote regulatory compliance and enforcement. Americans deserve and want to know how to prevent asbestos in their homes or in the workplace."
Asbestos exposure can cause asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Studies estimate that during the next decade, 100,000 workers around the world will die of an asbestos related disease - equaling 30 deaths per day.
ADAO will hold its Sixth Annual International Asbestos Conference on April 10, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Honorable Richard Durbin, United States Senator, will receive the ADAO Tribute of Hope Award for his gallant efforts to protect public health and promote worker safety.
Source
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
"We are grateful to the U.S. Senate for unanimously passing S. RES. 427 that will increase public awareness about asbestos, a known human carcinogen," said Linda Reinstein, CEO and Co-Founder, ADAO. "For the past six years, ADAO has seen that a week of awareness enables agencies, institutions and organizations to promote regulatory compliance and enforcement. Americans deserve and want to know how to prevent asbestos in their homes or in the workplace."
Asbestos exposure can cause asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Studies estimate that during the next decade, 100,000 workers around the world will die of an asbestos related disease - equaling 30 deaths per day.
ADAO will hold its Sixth Annual International Asbestos Conference on April 10, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Honorable Richard Durbin, United States Senator, will receive the ADAO Tribute of Hope Award for his gallant efforts to protect public health and promote worker safety.
Source
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
Weitz & Luxenberg Continues Efforts To Help People With Asbestos Cancers
Weitz & Luxenberg P.C. would like to highlight a sobering statistic: In 2009, over 219,000 people were diagnosed with lung cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. For over 13,000 of those people, their cancer was caused by exposure to asbestos or another pollutant. In response to the ongoing danger of asbestos exposure, Reps. Steve Cohen (D-TN), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Louis Capps (D-CA), Gwen Moore (D-WI) and Betty Sutton (D-OH) have sponsored a Congressional proclamation declaring the first week of April 2010 National Asbestos Awareness Week.
"There is great need for continued research, education and assistance for people with asbestos diseases," said Joseph Patrick Williams, an attorney in the firm's Asbestos Litigation Unit. Williams applauded the ongoing efforts of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), which holds its sixth annual conference this month.
"We hear from Navy veterans, construction workers, boiler tenders, and many others who are now facing serious asbestos-related illness many years after they were exposed," Williams said. He pointed to the death of former Variety columnist Army Archerd in September 2009 and the passing of National Football League Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen in March 2010. Both men succumbed to mesothelioma, a cancer which as yet has no cure, though medical treatments have been improving.
How we can help
Weitz & Luxenberg has been helping people to recover monetary compensation for asbestos related illnesses for over 20 years. Last year, the firm obtained a $2.16-million settlement for the family of a New York City construction worker who died of mesothelioma; in 2008, our attorneys secured $16.25 million in a case involving the first successful asbestos verdict against a dental supply company, and in 2007, Weitz & Luxenberg achieved a $37 million asbestos verdict in two lung cancer cases in a reverse bifurcated trial. People who have been harmed by asbestos may contact the firm to learn more by visiting http://www.weitzlux.com.
Source
Weitz & Luxenberg P.C.
"There is great need for continued research, education and assistance for people with asbestos diseases," said Joseph Patrick Williams, an attorney in the firm's Asbestos Litigation Unit. Williams applauded the ongoing efforts of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), which holds its sixth annual conference this month.
"We hear from Navy veterans, construction workers, boiler tenders, and many others who are now facing serious asbestos-related illness many years after they were exposed," Williams said. He pointed to the death of former Variety columnist Army Archerd in September 2009 and the passing of National Football League Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen in March 2010. Both men succumbed to mesothelioma, a cancer which as yet has no cure, though medical treatments have been improving.
How we can help
Weitz & Luxenberg has been helping people to recover monetary compensation for asbestos related illnesses for over 20 years. Last year, the firm obtained a $2.16-million settlement for the family of a New York City construction worker who died of mesothelioma; in 2008, our attorneys secured $16.25 million in a case involving the first successful asbestos verdict against a dental supply company, and in 2007, Weitz & Luxenberg achieved a $37 million asbestos verdict in two lung cancer cases in a reverse bifurcated trial. People who have been harmed by asbestos may contact the firm to learn more by visiting http://www.weitzlux.com.
Source
Weitz & Luxenberg P.C.
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Millions Awarded To Asbestos Victims, UK
UNISON has revealed that nearly £2 million has been awarded to members who have suffered from deadly asbestos-related diseases in the last year alone.
The figure, released on International Workers Memorial Day (28 April), highlights the risk that many workers face just doing their day-to-day jobs.
General Secretary, Dave Prentis, will join public sector staff across the UK in a minute's silence at midday, to remember colleagues who have become victims of asbestos and other work-related diseases or those killed or injured in the workplace.
The UK's largest public sector union has fought for justice for thousands of workers, who have been put in danger by their employers, including staff who have suffered permanent injuries as a result of violence while on duty.
In the case of asbestos, many generations of workers have been exposed to it in oil refineries, hospitals, chemical plants, schools, building sites, shipyards, factories, building sites and while taking their lunch in canteens.
Dave Prentis said:
"Health and safety has barely been mentioned during the election campaign, but we want to see preventable accidents becoming a priority.
"Tighter regulations and more inspections - which have declined dramatically - would help tackle the problem.
"It is shocking that so many workers have died, or been seriously injured, because employers have failed to take the necessary steps to protect them.
"Too many employers put short-cuts before the safety of their staff and many workers still suffer in silence, losing their physical and mental health before management are forced to take action.
"UNISON helps members and their families get compensation for injuries and illness. The compensation for asbestos related injuries and deaths, goes some way towards getting justice for the victims, helping them pay for their treatment and funding the families left behind, but it will never make up for the tragic loss of life."
Regional breakdown for the compensation awarded for UNISON members suffering from asbestos related diseases, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and pleural thickening, in the last year:
Eastern - £255,961.82
East Midlands - £140,949
Greater London - £106,013.50
Northern (NE and Cumbria) - £394,761.10
South West - £108,000
Wales - £85,000
West Midlands - £140,078
Yorkshire and Humber - £599,868.17
Source
UNISON
The figure, released on International Workers Memorial Day (28 April), highlights the risk that many workers face just doing their day-to-day jobs.
General Secretary, Dave Prentis, will join public sector staff across the UK in a minute's silence at midday, to remember colleagues who have become victims of asbestos and other work-related diseases or those killed or injured in the workplace.
The UK's largest public sector union has fought for justice for thousands of workers, who have been put in danger by their employers, including staff who have suffered permanent injuries as a result of violence while on duty.
In the case of asbestos, many generations of workers have been exposed to it in oil refineries, hospitals, chemical plants, schools, building sites, shipyards, factories, building sites and while taking their lunch in canteens.
Dave Prentis said:
"Health and safety has barely been mentioned during the election campaign, but we want to see preventable accidents becoming a priority.
"Tighter regulations and more inspections - which have declined dramatically - would help tackle the problem.
"It is shocking that so many workers have died, or been seriously injured, because employers have failed to take the necessary steps to protect them.
"Too many employers put short-cuts before the safety of their staff and many workers still suffer in silence, losing their physical and mental health before management are forced to take action.
"UNISON helps members and their families get compensation for injuries and illness. The compensation for asbestos related injuries and deaths, goes some way towards getting justice for the victims, helping them pay for their treatment and funding the families left behind, but it will never make up for the tragic loss of life."
Regional breakdown for the compensation awarded for UNISON members suffering from asbestos related diseases, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and pleural thickening, in the last year:
Eastern - £255,961.82
East Midlands - £140,949
Greater London - £106,013.50
Northern (NE and Cumbria) - £394,761.10
South West - £108,000
Wales - £85,000
West Midlands - £140,078
Yorkshire and Humber - £599,868.17
Source
UNISON
Friday, 9 April 2010
Fresh enquiry outlines public health results USA
Longitudinal studies of firefighters, rescue workers and other personnel who responded to the collapse of the World Trade Center following the September 11, 2001 attacks have confirmed the presence of a positive relationship between the intensity and duration of their exposures to airborne pollutants and the severity of their pulmonary symptoms.
Results of the study, conducted by a consortium of researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Columbia University, New York University, Johns Hopkins University, The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, show exposure-related increases in new-onset cough, wheeze, shortness of breath, and bronchial hyperreactivity more than 2 years after the disaster.
In addition, follow-up of pregnant women who were inside or near the WTC buildings on September 11 found a two-fold increase in the incidence of small for gestational age (SGA) infants. The study results will appear in the May issue of Environmental Health Perspectives, the monthly peer-reviewed journal of the NIEHS. An electronic copy of the report is available on the online section at http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov.
The study was funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, one of the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and grants from The New York Community Trust and United Way of New York City. Additional support was provided by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"Our results indicate that the environmental exposures following the WTC disaster were associated with profound adverse effects on respiratory health," said Dr. Philip J. Landrigan, chair of the Department of Community and Preventive Medicine and director of Environmental and Occupational Medicine at Mount Sinai, and principal author of the study.
"The collapse of the towers generated thousands of tons of particulate matter comprised of cement dust, glass fibers, asbestos, lead, aromatic hydrocarbons, and organochlorine compounds, many of which significantly increased the subjects' susceptibility to bronchial spasms and asthma," said Landrigan. "These respiratory effects were most pronounced in subjects who were in or around the WTC buildings during the first 12 hours of the disaster."
Previous studies have documented the acute traumatic consequences of the September 11 attacks, most notably the occurrence of 2,726 deaths, including 343 firefighters and 60 police officers. Early clinical assessments noted a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms, including persistent cough, in firefighters and rescue workers exposed to the WTC dust.
The present study was designed to yield a comprehensive assessment of the health impacts of the chemical contaminants on first responders, construction workers and volunteers who worked initially in rescue and recovery, and then for several months clearing rubble and debris, and on residents who lived in the surrounding area.
For their exposure assessment, the researchers focused on five primary classes of contaminants taken from samples of settled dust following the collapse of the twin towers. These included airborne particles, dioxin and other related compounds, asbestos, which was used for fire insulation in the construction of the North Tower, aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzopyrene and benzoperylene, and lead and other trace elements.
Analysis of the data revealed that firefighters were among the most heavily exposed populations. Of the 10,116 firefighters who were evaluated, 332 displayed persistent cough accompanied by other respiratory symptoms so severe as to require at least 4 weeks leave of absence. "The prevalence of this 'World Trade Center' cough was directly related to the intensity of the exposure," said Landrigan.
Among firefighters without the cough, many were diagnosed with bronchial hyperreactivity, a chronic condition which triggers bronchial spasms in response to ambient air pollutants such as cigarette smoke and automobile exhaust. This condition was observed in 23 percent of those with a high level of smoke exposure, and in 8 percent of those with moderate exposure. "We believe the high alkalinity of the dust was a major contributing factor to the high incidence of bronchial hyperreactivity," said Landrigan.
Among ironworkers involved in clean-up and recovery, many of whom spent several months in and around the disaster site, almost one-third experienced a chronic cough that began shortly after employment at the site, 24 percent reported new onset of phlegm production, and more than 17 percent reported new onset of wheeze. About half of all workers reported at least one new symptom since they had begun working at the site.
Preliminary data from clinical evaluation of residents living within a 1.6-kilometer radius of the WTC site indicate that previously healthy subjects had a greater increase in cough, wheeze and shortness of breath than did residents living a greater distance from the site.
The primary health effect observed in pregnant women who were inside the towers or within 10 blocks of the WTC at the time of the disaster was a two-fold increase in the incidence of small for gestational age infants as compared to pregnant women from a demographically similar population not known to have been in Manhattan at the time.
"We had hypothesized that long-term exposure to air pollutants generated by the collapse of the towers might be associated with an increased risk of small for gestational age births," said Dr. Trudy Berkowitz, an epidemiologist with Mount Sinai. "Based on the results of subsequent studies, we have ruled out the potential role of post traumatic stress disorder in these adverse pregnancy outcomes."
Researchers are also concerned about long-term health consequences of asbestos exposure in the wake of the disaster. Asbestos, principally chrysotile, was used in the construction of the North Tower during the early 1970's. While some of this asbestos had been removed over the preceding 30 years, hundreds of tons remained on September 11 and were blasted free.
Ambient air samples showed that asbestos levels in the WTC area were initially elevated following the September 11 attacks, but fell to within federal standards after the first few days. "More research is needed to determine whether long-term exposure to asbestos fibers might lead to an increased risk of lung mesothelioma, a rare cancer that has been linked to asbestos exposure," said Landrigan. "Previous studies have shown the short chrysotile fibers found in the WTC dust to be the predominant fiber in lung mesothelioma tissue."
NIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Results of the study, conducted by a consortium of researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Columbia University, New York University, Johns Hopkins University, The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, show exposure-related increases in new-onset cough, wheeze, shortness of breath, and bronchial hyperreactivity more than 2 years after the disaster.
In addition, follow-up of pregnant women who were inside or near the WTC buildings on September 11 found a two-fold increase in the incidence of small for gestational age (SGA) infants. The study results will appear in the May issue of Environmental Health Perspectives, the monthly peer-reviewed journal of the NIEHS. An electronic copy of the report is available on the online section at http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov.
The study was funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, one of the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and grants from The New York Community Trust and United Way of New York City. Additional support was provided by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"Our results indicate that the environmental exposures following the WTC disaster were associated with profound adverse effects on respiratory health," said Dr. Philip J. Landrigan, chair of the Department of Community and Preventive Medicine and director of Environmental and Occupational Medicine at Mount Sinai, and principal author of the study.
"The collapse of the towers generated thousands of tons of particulate matter comprised of cement dust, glass fibers, asbestos, lead, aromatic hydrocarbons, and organochlorine compounds, many of which significantly increased the subjects' susceptibility to bronchial spasms and asthma," said Landrigan. "These respiratory effects were most pronounced in subjects who were in or around the WTC buildings during the first 12 hours of the disaster."
Previous studies have documented the acute traumatic consequences of the September 11 attacks, most notably the occurrence of 2,726 deaths, including 343 firefighters and 60 police officers. Early clinical assessments noted a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms, including persistent cough, in firefighters and rescue workers exposed to the WTC dust.
The present study was designed to yield a comprehensive assessment of the health impacts of the chemical contaminants on first responders, construction workers and volunteers who worked initially in rescue and recovery, and then for several months clearing rubble and debris, and on residents who lived in the surrounding area.
For their exposure assessment, the researchers focused on five primary classes of contaminants taken from samples of settled dust following the collapse of the twin towers. These included airborne particles, dioxin and other related compounds, asbestos, which was used for fire insulation in the construction of the North Tower, aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzopyrene and benzoperylene, and lead and other trace elements.
Analysis of the data revealed that firefighters were among the most heavily exposed populations. Of the 10,116 firefighters who were evaluated, 332 displayed persistent cough accompanied by other respiratory symptoms so severe as to require at least 4 weeks leave of absence. "The prevalence of this 'World Trade Center' cough was directly related to the intensity of the exposure," said Landrigan.
Among firefighters without the cough, many were diagnosed with bronchial hyperreactivity, a chronic condition which triggers bronchial spasms in response to ambient air pollutants such as cigarette smoke and automobile exhaust. This condition was observed in 23 percent of those with a high level of smoke exposure, and in 8 percent of those with moderate exposure. "We believe the high alkalinity of the dust was a major contributing factor to the high incidence of bronchial hyperreactivity," said Landrigan.
Among ironworkers involved in clean-up and recovery, many of whom spent several months in and around the disaster site, almost one-third experienced a chronic cough that began shortly after employment at the site, 24 percent reported new onset of phlegm production, and more than 17 percent reported new onset of wheeze. About half of all workers reported at least one new symptom since they had begun working at the site.
Preliminary data from clinical evaluation of residents living within a 1.6-kilometer radius of the WTC site indicate that previously healthy subjects had a greater increase in cough, wheeze and shortness of breath than did residents living a greater distance from the site.
The primary health effect observed in pregnant women who were inside the towers or within 10 blocks of the WTC at the time of the disaster was a two-fold increase in the incidence of small for gestational age infants as compared to pregnant women from a demographically similar population not known to have been in Manhattan at the time.
"We had hypothesized that long-term exposure to air pollutants generated by the collapse of the towers might be associated with an increased risk of small for gestational age births," said Dr. Trudy Berkowitz, an epidemiologist with Mount Sinai. "Based on the results of subsequent studies, we have ruled out the potential role of post traumatic stress disorder in these adverse pregnancy outcomes."
Researchers are also concerned about long-term health consequences of asbestos exposure in the wake of the disaster. Asbestos, principally chrysotile, was used in the construction of the North Tower during the early 1970's. While some of this asbestos had been removed over the preceding 30 years, hundreds of tons remained on September 11 and were blasted free.
Ambient air samples showed that asbestos levels in the WTC area were initially elevated following the September 11 attacks, but fell to within federal standards after the first few days. "More research is needed to determine whether long-term exposure to asbestos fibers might lead to an increased risk of lung mesothelioma, a rare cancer that has been linked to asbestos exposure," said Landrigan. "Previous studies have shown the short chrysotile fibers found in the WTC dust to be the predominant fiber in lung mesothelioma tissue."
NIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
New Drug for Mesothelioma
The FDA recently approved a new drug used to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma, a rare cancer usually associated with asbestos exposure.
The drug is called Alimta, or pemetrexed disodium, and it's distributed by Eli Lilly and Company. Alimta is intended to be used along with cisplatin.
Only about 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the U.S. Patients live, on average, nine to thirteen months after diagnosis.
In a randomized clinical trial, patients receiving Alimta along with cisplatin lived an average of 12 months after the trial began, compared with nine months for those on cisplatin alone.
Alimta must be supplemented with vitamin B-12 and folic acid to decrease the incidence and severity of adverse effects.
Those effects include low white blood count, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, rash and diarrhea. Since the drug suppresses the bone marrow, patients are warned to report signs of infection, such as fever and chills
FDA (USA).
The drug is called Alimta, or pemetrexed disodium, and it's distributed by Eli Lilly and Company. Alimta is intended to be used along with cisplatin.
Only about 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the U.S. Patients live, on average, nine to thirteen months after diagnosis.
In a randomized clinical trial, patients receiving Alimta along with cisplatin lived an average of 12 months after the trial began, compared with nine months for those on cisplatin alone.
Alimta must be supplemented with vitamin B-12 and folic acid to decrease the incidence and severity of adverse effects.
Those effects include low white blood count, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, rash and diarrhea. Since the drug suppresses the bone marrow, patients are warned to report signs of infection, such as fever and chills
FDA (USA).
Thursday, 8 April 2010
Asbestos made cancer ticking bomb in the West
Doctors say that developed countries are on the verge of an asbestos disease epidemic. They say that at least 100,000 people (mainly men) will die from mesothelioma (article in the British Medical Journal).
This cancer is caused by inhalating asbestos. It takes about fifty years to develop.
In the UK, 1,800 people get this disease each year. Doctors are saying that (in the UK) these numbers will rocket soon.
During the 1960s to 1970s hundreds of thousands of people were exposed to asbestos (in the Western World). Before the health risks of asbestos became known it was used as an insulator in buildings and industry.
The types of people who are most at risk today are those who worked as plumbers, builders and shipyard workers during that time.
Doctors say that as several schools and hospitals were constructed with asbestos (insulation) teachers and doctors/nurses may also be at risk (even though these are not mentioned, I wonder why they did not include school children).
Add to this list the wives and daughters who washed their husband's/father's overalls (if they were asbestos workers) and we have quite a few people.
In 1983 restrictions in the use of asbestos were introduced in the UK.
Doctors and experts say that the rates of mesothelioma will peak some time in the future. 'The peak of the epidemic is expected in 2015 to 2020 when the death rate is likely to be 2,000 per year in the United Kingdom,' said Professor Tom Treasure of Guy's Hospital in London.
He said other European countries and Australia are facing a similar rise in disease.
The USA (which introduced asbestos restrictions before the UK did) has probably already seen its peak (or is seeing it now).
Doctors should look out for the signs of this disease.
Experts believe there are still about 100,000 people who are alive today who will die from this disease.
This cancer is caused by inhalating asbestos. It takes about fifty years to develop.
In the UK, 1,800 people get this disease each year. Doctors are saying that (in the UK) these numbers will rocket soon.
During the 1960s to 1970s hundreds of thousands of people were exposed to asbestos (in the Western World). Before the health risks of asbestos became known it was used as an insulator in buildings and industry.
The types of people who are most at risk today are those who worked as plumbers, builders and shipyard workers during that time.
Doctors say that as several schools and hospitals were constructed with asbestos (insulation) teachers and doctors/nurses may also be at risk (even though these are not mentioned, I wonder why they did not include school children).
Add to this list the wives and daughters who washed their husband's/father's overalls (if they were asbestos workers) and we have quite a few people.
In 1983 restrictions in the use of asbestos were introduced in the UK.
Doctors and experts say that the rates of mesothelioma will peak some time in the future. 'The peak of the epidemic is expected in 2015 to 2020 when the death rate is likely to be 2,000 per year in the United Kingdom,' said Professor Tom Treasure of Guy's Hospital in London.
He said other European countries and Australia are facing a similar rise in disease.
The USA (which introduced asbestos restrictions before the UK did) has probably already seen its peak (or is seeing it now).
Doctors should look out for the signs of this disease.
Experts believe there are still about 100,000 people who are alive today who will die from this disease.
Blood examination can discover asbestos cancer
A simple blood test could detect early signs of deadly 'asbestos cancer', scientists have claimed.
Patients with mesothelioma - often caused by exposure to asbestos - often die within a few years of diagnosis.
But in a study published in The Lancet, researchers say checking levels of a key protein can identify over 80% of cases at an early stage.
Earlier detection would mean doctors could treat the patient using chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery.
Mesothelioma affects the mesothelial tissue surrounding the lungs.
The aggressive cancer develops decades after asbestos exposure.
But not all those who worked with asbestos go on to develop the cancer, and Australian scientists were looking for a way of identifying who was at risk.
Asbestos exposure
Researchers from the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Australia, developed a test to assess blood concentrations of soluble mesothelian related (SMR) protein, which has been shown to be an indicator of other cancers.
The scientists believed high levels of SMR might also be seen in asbestos cancer patients.
They obtained blood samples from patients attending respiratory clinics in Perth between 1997 and 2002 and tested their SMR levels.
Thirty-seven people out of 44 with mesothelioma had high SMR levels - an 84% accurate detection rate.
Out of seven people who had been exposed to asbestos who also had increased blood concentrations of SMR, three went on to develop mesothelioma and one lung cancer within five years of the study.
But none of the 33 people exposed to asbestos who had normal concentrations of SMR developed mesothelioma in that time.
And only three out of 160 patients with other cancers or other inflammatory lung diseases, and none of the 28 controls who had not been exposed to asbestos had raised SMR levels.
The researchers said their findings indicated SMR could be a useful way to monitor the growth of mesothelial tumours because concentrations were seen to increase during tumour progression.
Improving patients' chances
Dr Bruce Robinson, who led the research, said: 'On the basis of our data we propose that measurement of SMR concentrations in serum is a useful adjunct in the diagnosis of mesothelioma.
'Blood SMR concentrations should be monitored in asbestos-exposed individuals who are at risk of developing mesothelioma to determine if early therapeutic intervention improves patients' outcome.'
He added: 'Importantly for the hundreds of thousands of asbestos-exposed people who are at risk of this cancer, the test can detect the cancer several years before it presents.'
Dr Siow Ming Lee, a lung cancer specialist and spokesman for Cancer Research UK: 'These findings are interesting but they need to be validated in a larger study.
'You would need to make sure that the test did not give a false-positive result - and be aware that the presence of the protein could indicate other cancers as well.'
Patients with mesothelioma - often caused by exposure to asbestos - often die within a few years of diagnosis.
But in a study published in The Lancet, researchers say checking levels of a key protein can identify over 80% of cases at an early stage.
Earlier detection would mean doctors could treat the patient using chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery.
Mesothelioma affects the mesothelial tissue surrounding the lungs.
The aggressive cancer develops decades after asbestos exposure.
But not all those who worked with asbestos go on to develop the cancer, and Australian scientists were looking for a way of identifying who was at risk.
Asbestos exposure
Researchers from the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Australia, developed a test to assess blood concentrations of soluble mesothelian related (SMR) protein, which has been shown to be an indicator of other cancers.
The scientists believed high levels of SMR might also be seen in asbestos cancer patients.
They obtained blood samples from patients attending respiratory clinics in Perth between 1997 and 2002 and tested their SMR levels.
Thirty-seven people out of 44 with mesothelioma had high SMR levels - an 84% accurate detection rate.
Out of seven people who had been exposed to asbestos who also had increased blood concentrations of SMR, three went on to develop mesothelioma and one lung cancer within five years of the study.
But none of the 33 people exposed to asbestos who had normal concentrations of SMR developed mesothelioma in that time.
And only three out of 160 patients with other cancers or other inflammatory lung diseases, and none of the 28 controls who had not been exposed to asbestos had raised SMR levels.
The researchers said their findings indicated SMR could be a useful way to monitor the growth of mesothelial tumours because concentrations were seen to increase during tumour progression.
Improving patients' chances
Dr Bruce Robinson, who led the research, said: 'On the basis of our data we propose that measurement of SMR concentrations in serum is a useful adjunct in the diagnosis of mesothelioma.
'Blood SMR concentrations should be monitored in asbestos-exposed individuals who are at risk of developing mesothelioma to determine if early therapeutic intervention improves patients' outcome.'
He added: 'Importantly for the hundreds of thousands of asbestos-exposed people who are at risk of this cancer, the test can detect the cancer several years before it presents.'
Dr Siow Ming Lee, a lung cancer specialist and spokesman for Cancer Research UK: 'These findings are interesting but they need to be validated in a larger study.
'You would need to make sure that the test did not give a false-positive result - and be aware that the presence of the protein could indicate other cancers as well.'
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Fresh NCCN Guidelines For Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Demonstrated At Yearly Conference
A new addition to the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines™), the NCCN Guidelines for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM), was presented at the NCCN 15th Annual Conference. Lee M. Krug, MD of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and a member of the NCCN Guidelines Panel discussed recommended treatment options for patients with MPM as well as first-line therapy regimens.
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs. Pleural mesothelioma refers to the thoracic-based form of the disease, the most common type of mesothelioma.
Although asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, it can remain latent for more than 20 years and may require a predisposition to the disease. In addition, it can also occur in individuals that previously experienced radiation exposure (e.g. treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma).
Dr. Krug noted that, "Diagnosing mesothelioma is often difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions. In addition, a physician's initial evaluation of a patient may reveal pleural effusion, but it can often be missed on pleural fluid cytology."
Common symptoms of mesothelioma are shortness or breath or chest pain among others including tumor fevers, sweats, weight loss, and pneumonia.
A surgical biopsy is often required to effectively diagnose a patient with mesothelioma according to Dr. Krug. PET scans can aid in staging as well, detecting unexpected metastases in 10 percent of cases.
Prognostic factors include gender, lymph node status, and histology, but Dr. Krug also pointed to other potential markers that may be indicative of the disease.
"Serum markers may also have prognostic significance as studies show that patients with mesothelioma have higher levels of Soluble Mesothelin-Relation Protein (SMRP) and Osteopontin," said Dr. Krug.
Like any cancer, treatment for mesothelioma depends on many factors including the stage of the cancer, where the cancer is, and how far the cancer has spread. Dr. Krug described treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation that may benefit patients as described in the NCCN Guidelines for MPM.
Surgical procedures for MPM can range from a pleurectomy/decortication for those patients with early stage disease to more aggressive procedures, such as extrapleural pneumonectomy. Extrapleural pneumonectomy includes the removal of pleura, the lung, diaphragm, and pericardium, but can result in major complications and should only be performed by experienced surgeons.
"The role of aggressive surgery remains controversial," said Dr. Krug. "As outlined in the Principles for Surgical Resection for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma in the NCCN Guidelines, physicians need to be highly selective when choosing potential candidates for this procedure."
Surgery alone can be inadequate due to residual disease and a high rate of relapse, so the NCCN Guidelines recommend a combined modality therapy approach for select patients noted Dr. Krug.
The NCCN Guidelines consist of a section detailing the Principles of Radiation Therapy for MPM that stress the need for a multimodality approach including evaluation of the patient by radiation oncologists, surgeons, medical oncologists, diagnostic imaging specialists, and pulmonologists.
"Radiation is recommended as an adjuvant therapy to improve local control after surgery, and it is also an effective palliative treatment for relief of chest pain that is often associated with mesothelioma," said Dr. Krug.
Dr. Krug explained that MPM was historically felt to be chemoresistant, but that recent studies have shown that certain regimens can benefit patients and also can be added for systemic therapy either before or after surgery.
"The NCCN Guidelines recommends pemetrexed (Alimta®, Lilly USA, LLC) with cisplatin (Platinol®, Bristol-Myers Squibb) or carboplatin (Paraplatin®, Bristol-Myers Squibb) as the optimal first-line combination chemotherapy regimen for patients, though others can be considered based on comorbid conditions," said Dr. Krug. "On the other hand, there are extremely limited data on the benefit of second line therapy. A few specific regimens are listed as second line options in the NCCN Guidelines."
The NCCN Guidelines are developed and updated through an evidence-based process with explicit review of the scientific evidence integrated with expert judgment by multidisciplinary panels of physicians from NCCN Member Institutions. The most recent version of this and all the NCCN Guidelines are available free of charge at http://www.NCCN.org.
Source: National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs. Pleural mesothelioma refers to the thoracic-based form of the disease, the most common type of mesothelioma.
Although asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, it can remain latent for more than 20 years and may require a predisposition to the disease. In addition, it can also occur in individuals that previously experienced radiation exposure (e.g. treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma).
Dr. Krug noted that, "Diagnosing mesothelioma is often difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions. In addition, a physician's initial evaluation of a patient may reveal pleural effusion, but it can often be missed on pleural fluid cytology."
Common symptoms of mesothelioma are shortness or breath or chest pain among others including tumor fevers, sweats, weight loss, and pneumonia.
A surgical biopsy is often required to effectively diagnose a patient with mesothelioma according to Dr. Krug. PET scans can aid in staging as well, detecting unexpected metastases in 10 percent of cases.
Prognostic factors include gender, lymph node status, and histology, but Dr. Krug also pointed to other potential markers that may be indicative of the disease.
"Serum markers may also have prognostic significance as studies show that patients with mesothelioma have higher levels of Soluble Mesothelin-Relation Protein (SMRP) and Osteopontin," said Dr. Krug.
Like any cancer, treatment for mesothelioma depends on many factors including the stage of the cancer, where the cancer is, and how far the cancer has spread. Dr. Krug described treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation that may benefit patients as described in the NCCN Guidelines for MPM.
Surgical procedures for MPM can range from a pleurectomy/decortication for those patients with early stage disease to more aggressive procedures, such as extrapleural pneumonectomy. Extrapleural pneumonectomy includes the removal of pleura, the lung, diaphragm, and pericardium, but can result in major complications and should only be performed by experienced surgeons.
"The role of aggressive surgery remains controversial," said Dr. Krug. "As outlined in the Principles for Surgical Resection for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma in the NCCN Guidelines, physicians need to be highly selective when choosing potential candidates for this procedure."
Surgery alone can be inadequate due to residual disease and a high rate of relapse, so the NCCN Guidelines recommend a combined modality therapy approach for select patients noted Dr. Krug.
The NCCN Guidelines consist of a section detailing the Principles of Radiation Therapy for MPM that stress the need for a multimodality approach including evaluation of the patient by radiation oncologists, surgeons, medical oncologists, diagnostic imaging specialists, and pulmonologists.
"Radiation is recommended as an adjuvant therapy to improve local control after surgery, and it is also an effective palliative treatment for relief of chest pain that is often associated with mesothelioma," said Dr. Krug.
Dr. Krug explained that MPM was historically felt to be chemoresistant, but that recent studies have shown that certain regimens can benefit patients and also can be added for systemic therapy either before or after surgery.
"The NCCN Guidelines recommends pemetrexed (Alimta®, Lilly USA, LLC) with cisplatin (Platinol®, Bristol-Myers Squibb) or carboplatin (Paraplatin®, Bristol-Myers Squibb) as the optimal first-line combination chemotherapy regimen for patients, though others can be considered based on comorbid conditions," said Dr. Krug. "On the other hand, there are extremely limited data on the benefit of second line therapy. A few specific regimens are listed as second line options in the NCCN Guidelines."
The NCCN Guidelines are developed and updated through an evidence-based process with explicit review of the scientific evidence integrated with expert judgment by multidisciplinary panels of physicians from NCCN Member Institutions. The most recent version of this and all the NCCN Guidelines are available free of charge at http://www.NCCN.org.
Source: National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Friday, 2 April 2010
Surviving Through Desmoplastic Mesothelioma, Just What actually are Your Odds
Desmoplastic Mesothelioma has consequences on three thousand persons annually are named to have Desmoplastic Mesothelioma in the USA entirely. Lamentably, Desmoplastic Mesothelioma is in reality an acute and generally virulent sort of cancer which leaves by asbestos exposure. This sort of sickness comes about when tiny asbestos fibres are breathed in and get adhered to the linings of the lungs.
Hence that adds up to the supreme question, just what are the hypotheses of pulling through Desmoplastic Mesothelioma? Even so, not a lot of patients of Desmoplastic Mesothelioma survive much more than 5 years following the testing has been made. Desmoplastic Mesothelioma survival chances are expanded when the sickness is caught early. Throughout it's first stages, this sort of cancer can be hard to name. After it is ascertained and named, it is quite often in its advanced phase and too late to get a unequivocal cure. According to reliable sources, fewer than 10% of mesothelioma patients find the possibility to brave much more than five years, whilst around 40 pct of people endure more than a year soon after a diagnosis. As you read through this article you can find a ton of info with regards to Desmoplastic Mesothelioma.
Several factors determine success involving all types of melanoma including Desmoplastic Mesothelioma. Those contain:
* The actual present phase associated with the melanoma. The phases with the Desmoplastic Mesothelioma cancer range from Stage One, which usually mainly implies that the growth is localized in the upper body lining, to Stage 4, which means that the cancer has multiplied to additional essential internal organs.
* The histology (cell system type) in the cancer tumour. Desmoplastic Mesothelioma cancer could come as epithelial, which usually provides much better prognosis, desmoplastic,sarcomatoid, or biphasic.
* The patients healthy situation and age. The malignant types of Desmoplastic Mesothelioma are often recognized in subjects higher than the age group of 55. Usually, the older the sufferer is, or perhaps the more long-term health problems related with the condition, the much less probability there is for mesothelioma survival.
* Being able to see if the cancer is operable or not can be decided by the shape and place.
* The degree of the signs and symptoms, like as whether liquid build up is discovered in the lung area or abdominal.
Desmoplastic Mesothelioma is a critical affliction that demands fast medical focus. Although there is no proven remedy for Desmoplastic Mesothelioma, a variety of healing options are accessible in order to reduce the ailment from dispersing and in addition to reduce discomfort and hurting for the sufferer.
These kind of healing alternatives may well raise the likelihood for Desmoplastic Mesothelioma success. In respect to numerous experiments, patients administered with radiation treatment or surgical treatment or a mix of the pair, possess a survival rate that is at least eighteen months after commencing the steps.
Today, numerous new solutions are now being looked at throughout the globe in governed clinical tests. The modern remedies are Gene Therapy, Heat Therapy, Photodynamic Therapy, and Immunotherapy.
Desmoplastic Mesothelioma may be a incredibly serious disease and demands to be taken really significant. Ideally it is found in the first stages. If not, Desmoplastic Mesothelioma could be lethal. Ideal solution is to get examined often.
Hence that adds up to the supreme question, just what are the hypotheses of pulling through Desmoplastic Mesothelioma? Even so, not a lot of patients of Desmoplastic Mesothelioma survive much more than 5 years following the testing has been made. Desmoplastic Mesothelioma survival chances are expanded when the sickness is caught early. Throughout it's first stages, this sort of cancer can be hard to name. After it is ascertained and named, it is quite often in its advanced phase and too late to get a unequivocal cure. According to reliable sources, fewer than 10% of mesothelioma patients find the possibility to brave much more than five years, whilst around 40 pct of people endure more than a year soon after a diagnosis. As you read through this article you can find a ton of info with regards to Desmoplastic Mesothelioma.
Several factors determine success involving all types of melanoma including Desmoplastic Mesothelioma. Those contain:
* The actual present phase associated with the melanoma. The phases with the Desmoplastic Mesothelioma cancer range from Stage One, which usually mainly implies that the growth is localized in the upper body lining, to Stage 4, which means that the cancer has multiplied to additional essential internal organs.
* The histology (cell system type) in the cancer tumour. Desmoplastic Mesothelioma cancer could come as epithelial, which usually provides much better prognosis, desmoplastic,sarcomatoid, or biphasic.
* The patients healthy situation and age. The malignant types of Desmoplastic Mesothelioma are often recognized in subjects higher than the age group of 55. Usually, the older the sufferer is, or perhaps the more long-term health problems related with the condition, the much less probability there is for mesothelioma survival.
* Being able to see if the cancer is operable or not can be decided by the shape and place.
* The degree of the signs and symptoms, like as whether liquid build up is discovered in the lung area or abdominal.
Desmoplastic Mesothelioma is a critical affliction that demands fast medical focus. Although there is no proven remedy for Desmoplastic Mesothelioma, a variety of healing options are accessible in order to reduce the ailment from dispersing and in addition to reduce discomfort and hurting for the sufferer.
These kind of healing alternatives may well raise the likelihood for Desmoplastic Mesothelioma success. In respect to numerous experiments, patients administered with radiation treatment or surgical treatment or a mix of the pair, possess a survival rate that is at least eighteen months after commencing the steps.
Today, numerous new solutions are now being looked at throughout the globe in governed clinical tests. The modern remedies are Gene Therapy, Heat Therapy, Photodynamic Therapy, and Immunotherapy.
Desmoplastic Mesothelioma may be a incredibly serious disease and demands to be taken really significant. Ideally it is found in the first stages. If not, Desmoplastic Mesothelioma could be lethal. Ideal solution is to get examined often.
Virginia: A Chronicle of Asbestos Usage
The Appalachians, which use up Virginia and a lot of other USA. states, have deposits of asbestos, a naturally happening mineral that can induce mesothelioma, a virulent form of cancer. Virginia bears a number of asbestos densities along the Blue Ridge Mountains and Maryland state boundary, west of Washington, D.C.
In Virginia, 2 mines were determined to contain asbestos sediments. While these asbestos-containing mines have been shut down, Virginia still engages a vermiculite mine in Louisa. By itself, vermiculite is a secure material applied for insulation. Yet, asbestos can pollute other minerals as they're mined.
During 2000, the Louisa vermiculite mine underwent testing to identify the presence of asbestos. The tests, which were conducted by the Mine Safety and Health Administration, evaluated 30 air samples. Each air sample showed a hazardous level of asbestos. Also, 12 samples of ore and rocks also showed a presence of two other types of asbestos. The Virginia mine has been likened to the well-publicized vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana, where 200 people in the town developed asbestos-related diseases.
The Virginia vermiculite mine sells approximately 100,000 tons of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite every year to be used in hundreds of products across the country. Many researchers feel that the risk of asbestos-related illnesses extends beyond those employed in the Virginia mine. People in town have reportedly been using the waste rock for many years. Likewise, workers of companies who produce and sell the contaminated vermiculite may also have a chance of developing an asbestos-related illness.
Virginia's history of asbestos use extends beyond its mines. Used for its heat resistance and insulating properties, asbestos could be found in a number of Virginia industrial locations, such as oil refineries, factories and power plants. Virginia shipyards, such as the Newport News Shipyard, also used the mineral in many ways. The shipbuilding industry became very active during the world wars, and studies show that many Veterans and federal contractors died from asbestos-related diseases as a result of working in the shipyards.
Asbestos was also used in the power generation industry. The mineral was used on mechanical equipment, machinery and pipes. During normal operations or repair, asbestos-containing machinery could release tiny fibers into the air. If inhaled, the asbestos fibers can build up and eventually cause lung cancer, mesothelioma or asbestosis.
Approximately 1400 Virginians have died as a result of an asbestos-related disease between 1980 and 2000. Many of these individuals were diagnosed with asbestosis, which causes a scarring of the lung tissue. Although asbestosis does not always result in death, its prognosis typically worsens when discovered during the later stages.
In Virginia, 2 mines were determined to contain asbestos sediments. While these asbestos-containing mines have been shut down, Virginia still engages a vermiculite mine in Louisa. By itself, vermiculite is a secure material applied for insulation. Yet, asbestos can pollute other minerals as they're mined.
During 2000, the Louisa vermiculite mine underwent testing to identify the presence of asbestos. The tests, which were conducted by the Mine Safety and Health Administration, evaluated 30 air samples. Each air sample showed a hazardous level of asbestos. Also, 12 samples of ore and rocks also showed a presence of two other types of asbestos. The Virginia mine has been likened to the well-publicized vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana, where 200 people in the town developed asbestos-related diseases.
The Virginia vermiculite mine sells approximately 100,000 tons of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite every year to be used in hundreds of products across the country. Many researchers feel that the risk of asbestos-related illnesses extends beyond those employed in the Virginia mine. People in town have reportedly been using the waste rock for many years. Likewise, workers of companies who produce and sell the contaminated vermiculite may also have a chance of developing an asbestos-related illness.
Virginia's history of asbestos use extends beyond its mines. Used for its heat resistance and insulating properties, asbestos could be found in a number of Virginia industrial locations, such as oil refineries, factories and power plants. Virginia shipyards, such as the Newport News Shipyard, also used the mineral in many ways. The shipbuilding industry became very active during the world wars, and studies show that many Veterans and federal contractors died from asbestos-related diseases as a result of working in the shipyards.
Asbestos was also used in the power generation industry. The mineral was used on mechanical equipment, machinery and pipes. During normal operations or repair, asbestos-containing machinery could release tiny fibers into the air. If inhaled, the asbestos fibers can build up and eventually cause lung cancer, mesothelioma or asbestosis.
Approximately 1400 Virginians have died as a result of an asbestos-related disease between 1980 and 2000. Many of these individuals were diagnosed with asbestosis, which causes a scarring of the lung tissue. Although asbestosis does not always result in death, its prognosis typically worsens when discovered during the later stages.
Monday, 29 March 2010
Groundbreaking mesothelioma video library gains internet honors whilst educating viewers
The SimmonsCooper law firm announced today that the Mesothelioma Video Library Web site, a free educational resource for patients and families affected by mesothelioma, has been recognized by the Web Marketing Association and W3 Awards for its innovation and excellence on the web. The Mesothelioma Video Library is the first video-driven Web site to address mesothelioma and asbestos-related issues.
"We started this site to reach out to mesothelioma patients and families in a fresh and meaningful way," said Michael Angelides, SimmonsCooper partner and asbestos attorney. "Using video allowed us to simplify the medical information for families, as well as show the personal side of the disease. It's our hope that people are able to watch these videos and realize that they are not alone in their fight."
Sanctioned by the International Academy of Visual Arts, the Web site has won two W3 Gold Awards in the categories of Health and Video. Less than 10% of all entries receive a recognition of that level. The Mesothelioma Video Library has also won a WebAward for Outstanding Achievement in Website Development, presented by the Web Marketing Association. All three awards are an affirmation of the site's credibility and effectiveness at communicating about mesothelioma.
The video-based Web site features over 75 educational mesothelioma videos and mesothelioma stories by victims and families dealing with the disease. The True Stories section gives families a forum to talk about how the disease has affected them, and the Common Questions section features the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation's Medical Liaison, Mary Hesdorffer, a nurse practitioner who has worked with patients and families for over a decade. The videos can be viewed at www.mesovideolibrary.com.
Angelides said he hopes to see the video library grow over time. "We're interviewing more families now and invite others to go to the Web site and share their stories," said Angelides. "We just hope this recognition helps shed more light on the disease."
Source: SimmonsCooper LLC
"We started this site to reach out to mesothelioma patients and families in a fresh and meaningful way," said Michael Angelides, SimmonsCooper partner and asbestos attorney. "Using video allowed us to simplify the medical information for families, as well as show the personal side of the disease. It's our hope that people are able to watch these videos and realize that they are not alone in their fight."
Sanctioned by the International Academy of Visual Arts, the Web site has won two W3 Gold Awards in the categories of Health and Video. Less than 10% of all entries receive a recognition of that level. The Mesothelioma Video Library has also won a WebAward for Outstanding Achievement in Website Development, presented by the Web Marketing Association. All three awards are an affirmation of the site's credibility and effectiveness at communicating about mesothelioma.
The video-based Web site features over 75 educational mesothelioma videos and mesothelioma stories by victims and families dealing with the disease. The True Stories section gives families a forum to talk about how the disease has affected them, and the Common Questions section features the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation's Medical Liaison, Mary Hesdorffer, a nurse practitioner who has worked with patients and families for over a decade. The videos can be viewed at www.mesovideolibrary.com.
Angelides said he hopes to see the video library grow over time. "We're interviewing more families now and invite others to go to the Web site and share their stories," said Angelides. "We just hope this recognition helps shed more light on the disease."
Source: SimmonsCooper LLC
Exposure to asbestos by rocks could induce malignant mesothelioma
Californians who live close to naturally occurring asbestos sources and who are exposed to low levels of the mineral are at increased risk for developing malignant mesothelioma, a serious cancer of the membrane covering the lung, according to a new study published in the second issue of the October 2005 American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Marc B. Schenker, M.D., M.P.H., of the Division of Environmental and Occupational Health, at the University of California, Davis, along with four associates, investigated 2,908 malignant mesothelioma cases reported over a 10-year period (1988 to 1997). Over 50 percent of the men and 58 percent of the women, all of whom were listed in the California Cancer Registry, either had no or low occupational exposure to asbestos.
"People who lived closer to an asbestos source had a greater chance of having mesothelioma, and the chance decreased steadily as the distance increased," said Dr. Schenker.
According to the article, the odds of developing mesothelioma decreased 6.3 percent for every 10 kilometers farther from the asbestos source.
The authors explained that a major strength of the study was the very large number of mesothelioma cases used to assess the potentially weak association between exposure to naturally occurring asbestos and mesothelioma incidence.
"Epidemiological studies have confirmed that occupational exposure to asbestos causes mesothelioma," said Dr. Schenker. "However, almost all population-based studies have found that many mesothelioma cases had no known occupational exposure to asbestos."
Considered rare, mesothelioma usually takes from 30 to 40 years after exposure to develop. The only know causes is exposure to asbestos fibers, which can cause tumors in the two layers of membrane covering the lung (the pleura), or, with greater exposure, in membranes of the abdomen.
According to the authors, California has more naturally occurring asbestos source rocks than any other state in the U.S., but their distribution is patchy, with exposed areas separated from unexposed areas. The group used Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software to pinpoint the sources of asbestos and the location of patient residencies more precisely.
"Geocoding of residential addresses provided a more accurate assessment of potential environmental exposure to naturally occurring asbestos at the individual level than methods using a less precise geographic classification," said Dr. Schenker.
The California Cancer Registry includes occupational information, so the researchers were able to control for, and the study confirmed, the increased risks of mesothelioma among shipyard workers, boilermakers, insulators, plumbers, steam fitters, and other tradespeople involved in construction and shipping. In an editorial on the article in the same issue, Marcel Goldberg, M.D., Ph.D., and Daniele Luce, Ph.D., of the Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM) in Saint Maurice, France, note that it is of utmost importance, "from a scientific and public health point to view, to know whether exposure to low levels of asbestos is able to induce pleural mesothelioma."
"While exposure in environmental settings is generally much lower than in occupational circumstances, the levels may not be negligible," they write. "In studies in which elevated risk of mesothelioma was demonstrated, people typically lived in close vicinity of naturally occurring asbestos sources, and may have had direct contact with asbestos, when white-washing houses with material containing asbestos or working in polluted fields. It is thus likely that lifelong cumulative exposure may have been as high (if not higher) as in some occupational settings, but it was not-or not adequately-measured, and non-occupational studies have not yet provided adequate answers.
"That is why this work showing a relationship between mesothelioma risk and residential distance from naturally occurring asbestos, and suggesting that there is excess risk of mesothelioma even at long distance from the asbestos source, is important. To our knowledge, this study is the first one that demonstrates such an effect quite convincingly."
The editorialists contend that additional research is now necessary to more accurately assess the levels of cumulative exposure that persons experience in areas where excess risk of pleural mesothelioma was observed.
Source: American Thoracic Society
Marc B. Schenker, M.D., M.P.H., of the Division of Environmental and Occupational Health, at the University of California, Davis, along with four associates, investigated 2,908 malignant mesothelioma cases reported over a 10-year period (1988 to 1997). Over 50 percent of the men and 58 percent of the women, all of whom were listed in the California Cancer Registry, either had no or low occupational exposure to asbestos.
"People who lived closer to an asbestos source had a greater chance of having mesothelioma, and the chance decreased steadily as the distance increased," said Dr. Schenker.
According to the article, the odds of developing mesothelioma decreased 6.3 percent for every 10 kilometers farther from the asbestos source.
The authors explained that a major strength of the study was the very large number of mesothelioma cases used to assess the potentially weak association between exposure to naturally occurring asbestos and mesothelioma incidence.
"Epidemiological studies have confirmed that occupational exposure to asbestos causes mesothelioma," said Dr. Schenker. "However, almost all population-based studies have found that many mesothelioma cases had no known occupational exposure to asbestos."
Considered rare, mesothelioma usually takes from 30 to 40 years after exposure to develop. The only know causes is exposure to asbestos fibers, which can cause tumors in the two layers of membrane covering the lung (the pleura), or, with greater exposure, in membranes of the abdomen.
According to the authors, California has more naturally occurring asbestos source rocks than any other state in the U.S., but their distribution is patchy, with exposed areas separated from unexposed areas. The group used Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software to pinpoint the sources of asbestos and the location of patient residencies more precisely.
"Geocoding of residential addresses provided a more accurate assessment of potential environmental exposure to naturally occurring asbestos at the individual level than methods using a less precise geographic classification," said Dr. Schenker.
The California Cancer Registry includes occupational information, so the researchers were able to control for, and the study confirmed, the increased risks of mesothelioma among shipyard workers, boilermakers, insulators, plumbers, steam fitters, and other tradespeople involved in construction and shipping. In an editorial on the article in the same issue, Marcel Goldberg, M.D., Ph.D., and Daniele Luce, Ph.D., of the Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM) in Saint Maurice, France, note that it is of utmost importance, "from a scientific and public health point to view, to know whether exposure to low levels of asbestos is able to induce pleural mesothelioma."
"While exposure in environmental settings is generally much lower than in occupational circumstances, the levels may not be negligible," they write. "In studies in which elevated risk of mesothelioma was demonstrated, people typically lived in close vicinity of naturally occurring asbestos sources, and may have had direct contact with asbestos, when white-washing houses with material containing asbestos or working in polluted fields. It is thus likely that lifelong cumulative exposure may have been as high (if not higher) as in some occupational settings, but it was not-or not adequately-measured, and non-occupational studies have not yet provided adequate answers.
"That is why this work showing a relationship between mesothelioma risk and residential distance from naturally occurring asbestos, and suggesting that there is excess risk of mesothelioma even at long distance from the asbestos source, is important. To our knowledge, this study is the first one that demonstrates such an effect quite convincingly."
The editorialists contend that additional research is now necessary to more accurately assess the levels of cumulative exposure that persons experience in areas where excess risk of pleural mesothelioma was observed.
Source: American Thoracic Society
Potential vaccine for mesothelioma demonstrated safe
Researchers have demonstrated the safety of a potential vaccine against mesothelioma, a rare cancer associated primarily with asbestos exposure. The vaccine, which infuses uses a patient's own dendritic cells (DC) with antigen from the patient's tumor, was able to induce a T-cell response against mesothelioma tumors.
"[This] is the first human study on DC-based immunotherapy in patients with mesothelioma," wrote Joachim G Aerts M.D., Ph.D., a pulmonary physician at Erasmus Medical Center in the Netherlands.
The findings have been published online ahead of print publication in the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
The U.S. and other developed countries have prohibited the use of asbestos for decades, but the time between asbestos exposure and diagnosis of mesothelioma can up to 50 years. The incidence of mesothelioma, therefore, is still on the rise and expected to continue to increase until 2020. Once diagnosed, mesothelioma has a median survival time of 12 months. The standard chemotherapeutic treatment only improves survival time by about three months.
The anticipated increase in the incidence of mesothelioma, together with the paucity of treatment options, has spurred considerable interest in the development of new therapies. Immunotherapy, which uses the body's own immune system to target and destroy cancer cells, has been shown to have some promise.
"The possibility to harness the potency and specificity of the immune system underlies the growing interest in cancer immunotherapy," said Dr. Aerts. "One such approach uses the patient's own DC to present tumor-associated antigens and thereby generate tumor-specific immunity."
Building upon their previous research which demonstrated that DC vaccinations induced anti-tumor immunity and conferred a survival benefit in mice, Dr. Aerts and colleagues sought to test the clinical relevance of their finding. After recruiting 10 human patients recently diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma of the epithelial subtype, they cultured immature DC from their blood and exposed the DC to the antigen produced by the patients' tumors. The DC were also exposed to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), which was used as a surrogate marker to show an immune response. The DC were then matured and injected back into the patients in three doses over a two-week interval.
Serum samples from all patients showed a significant increase of pre- versus post-vaccine antibodies to KLH. In the four patients whose tumor material was sufficient for testing, there was clear induction of cytotoxicity against their own tumors after vaccination. Three patients showed signs of tumor regression, though this could not be conclusively or directly attributed to the vaccine.
Encouragingly, while eight of the patients developed flu-like symptoms in response to the vaccinations, the symptoms normalized after one day in all but one of the patients. There were no signs of autoimmune diseases in the patients provoked by the vaccination, nor other serious side effects.
"The major problem in mesothelioma is that the immunosuppressive environment caused by the tumor will negatively influence our therapy so we are now working on a method to lower this immunosuppressive environment," said Dr. Aerts. "We hope that by further development of our method it will be possible to increase survival in patients with mesothelioma and eventually vaccinate persons who have been in contact with asbestos to prevent them from getting asbestos related diseases."
Source
American Thoracic Society (ATS)
"[This] is the first human study on DC-based immunotherapy in patients with mesothelioma," wrote Joachim G Aerts M.D., Ph.D., a pulmonary physician at Erasmus Medical Center in the Netherlands.
The findings have been published online ahead of print publication in the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
The U.S. and other developed countries have prohibited the use of asbestos for decades, but the time between asbestos exposure and diagnosis of mesothelioma can up to 50 years. The incidence of mesothelioma, therefore, is still on the rise and expected to continue to increase until 2020. Once diagnosed, mesothelioma has a median survival time of 12 months. The standard chemotherapeutic treatment only improves survival time by about three months.
The anticipated increase in the incidence of mesothelioma, together with the paucity of treatment options, has spurred considerable interest in the development of new therapies. Immunotherapy, which uses the body's own immune system to target and destroy cancer cells, has been shown to have some promise.
"The possibility to harness the potency and specificity of the immune system underlies the growing interest in cancer immunotherapy," said Dr. Aerts. "One such approach uses the patient's own DC to present tumor-associated antigens and thereby generate tumor-specific immunity."
Building upon their previous research which demonstrated that DC vaccinations induced anti-tumor immunity and conferred a survival benefit in mice, Dr. Aerts and colleagues sought to test the clinical relevance of their finding. After recruiting 10 human patients recently diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma of the epithelial subtype, they cultured immature DC from their blood and exposed the DC to the antigen produced by the patients' tumors. The DC were also exposed to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), which was used as a surrogate marker to show an immune response. The DC were then matured and injected back into the patients in three doses over a two-week interval.
Serum samples from all patients showed a significant increase of pre- versus post-vaccine antibodies to KLH. In the four patients whose tumor material was sufficient for testing, there was clear induction of cytotoxicity against their own tumors after vaccination. Three patients showed signs of tumor regression, though this could not be conclusively or directly attributed to the vaccine.
Encouragingly, while eight of the patients developed flu-like symptoms in response to the vaccinations, the symptoms normalized after one day in all but one of the patients. There were no signs of autoimmune diseases in the patients provoked by the vaccination, nor other serious side effects.
"The major problem in mesothelioma is that the immunosuppressive environment caused by the tumor will negatively influence our therapy so we are now working on a method to lower this immunosuppressive environment," said Dr. Aerts. "We hope that by further development of our method it will be possible to increase survival in patients with mesothelioma and eventually vaccinate persons who have been in contact with asbestos to prevent them from getting asbestos related diseases."
Source
American Thoracic Society (ATS)
Bionomics To Initiate BNC105 Phase II Trial In Mesothelioma Patients
Bionomics, an Australian drug discovery and development company, is set to initiate the second Phase II clinical trial of vascular disrupting agent BNC105 in patients with advanced mesothelioma.
Bionomics has already commenced Phase II testing of the anti-cancer properties of BNC105 in renal cancer in the US.
The commencement of these two Phase II trials follows a successful BNC105 Phase I clinical trial in patients with advanced cancers at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, the Western Hospital, Austin Health and the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
The Bionomics' Phase II trial of BNC105P is a single arm, unblinded study for patients with mesothelioma who have progressed on platinum/pemetrexed chemotherapy. BNC105 will be administered on days 1 and 8 of 21 day cycles. Treatment will continue until disease progression.
Earlier in December 2009, Bionomics had entered into a collaboration with the Australasian Lung Cancer Trials Group (ALTG) and the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre (CTC) to conduct the clinical trial in mesothelioma.
Anna Nowak, principal investigator of the trial, said: "An early clinical trial of BNC105 suggested some promise in mesothelioma. This Phase II trial will provide hope and an opportunity to participate in a research study for people with mesothelioma who do not have other options for treatment.
"The Australian Lung Cancer Trials Group is very happy to have partnered with Bionomics to carry out a clinical trial of this interesting novel therapy in centres around Australia. The investigators are particularly pleased to be working with an Australian company, and that the study has been developed, approved and opened for patients within a very short timeframe."
Deborah Rathjen, managing director and CEO of Bionomics, said: "I am delighted to report the rapid approval and initiation of this clinical trial. We are expecting to report interim results of this study in mesothelioma patients early in 2011.”
Source: Pharmaceutical Business Review
Bionomics has already commenced Phase II testing of the anti-cancer properties of BNC105 in renal cancer in the US.
The commencement of these two Phase II trials follows a successful BNC105 Phase I clinical trial in patients with advanced cancers at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, the Western Hospital, Austin Health and the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
The Bionomics' Phase II trial of BNC105P is a single arm, unblinded study for patients with mesothelioma who have progressed on platinum/pemetrexed chemotherapy. BNC105 will be administered on days 1 and 8 of 21 day cycles. Treatment will continue until disease progression.
Earlier in December 2009, Bionomics had entered into a collaboration with the Australasian Lung Cancer Trials Group (ALTG) and the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre (CTC) to conduct the clinical trial in mesothelioma.
Anna Nowak, principal investigator of the trial, said: "An early clinical trial of BNC105 suggested some promise in mesothelioma. This Phase II trial will provide hope and an opportunity to participate in a research study for people with mesothelioma who do not have other options for treatment.
"The Australian Lung Cancer Trials Group is very happy to have partnered with Bionomics to carry out a clinical trial of this interesting novel therapy in centres around Australia. The investigators are particularly pleased to be working with an Australian company, and that the study has been developed, approved and opened for patients within a very short timeframe."
Deborah Rathjen, managing director and CEO of Bionomics, said: "I am delighted to report the rapid approval and initiation of this clinical trial. We are expecting to report interim results of this study in mesothelioma patients early in 2011.”
Source: Pharmaceutical Business Review
ADAO Praises Senate For Passage Of Sixth Annual Resolution That Establishes "National Asbestos Awareness Week"
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), the largest U.S. organization serving as the voice of asbestos victims, today applauds the United State Senate for the passage of S.RES.427, a resolution that declares the first week of April as "National Asbestos Awareness Week" and urges the Surgeon General to warn and educate Americans of the severe hazards of asbestos exposure.
"We are grateful to the U.S. Senate for unanimously passing S. RES. 427 that will increase public awareness about asbestos, a known human carcinogen," said Linda Reinstein, CEO and Co-Founder, ADAO. "For the past six years, ADAO has seen that a week of awareness enables agencies, institutions and organizations to promote regulatory compliance and enforcement. Americans deserve and want to know how to prevent asbestos in their homes or in the workplace."
Asbestos exposure can cause asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Studies estimate that during the next decade, 100,000 workers around the world will die of an asbestos related disease - equaling 30 deaths per day.
ADAO will hold its Sixth Annual International Asbestos Conference on April 10, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Honorable Richard Durbin, United States Senator, will receive the ADAO Tribute of Hope Award for his gallant efforts to protect public health and promote worker safety.
Source: Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
"We are grateful to the U.S. Senate for unanimously passing S. RES. 427 that will increase public awareness about asbestos, a known human carcinogen," said Linda Reinstein, CEO and Co-Founder, ADAO. "For the past six years, ADAO has seen that a week of awareness enables agencies, institutions and organizations to promote regulatory compliance and enforcement. Americans deserve and want to know how to prevent asbestos in their homes or in the workplace."
Asbestos exposure can cause asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Studies estimate that during the next decade, 100,000 workers around the world will die of an asbestos related disease - equaling 30 deaths per day.
ADAO will hold its Sixth Annual International Asbestos Conference on April 10, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Honorable Richard Durbin, United States Senator, will receive the ADAO Tribute of Hope Award for his gallant efforts to protect public health and promote worker safety.
Source: Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
Asbestos exposure cause of mesothelioma cancer in Texas
In Temple, Texas, the demolished remains of a local church were soaked with water to minimize the risk of spreading airborne asbestos particles. A large construction machine was used to knock down the former First Baptist Church last Wednesday morning.
Beginning early in the morning, the machine tore apart wood, metal, and other debris at the office-like building. Work is still ongoing at the site, and it is expected to wrap up sometime this week, according to Brad Garrett of Garrett Excavation and Demolition.
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Beginning early in the morning, the machine tore apart wood, metal, and other debris at the office-like building. Work is still ongoing at the site, and it is expected to wrap up sometime this week, according to Brad Garrett of Garrett Excavation and Demolition.
Read More
Roadrunners raise a record amount for research fund
Reading Roadrunners members have raised a record sum for charity in the past year.
They handed over a cheque for more than £47,700 to the June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund.
It was received by club member Steve Lee and Kim Stubbs, the director of the fund and daughter of June Hancock.
Lee suffers from the disease which he caught from contact with asbestos in his early life.
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They handed over a cheque for more than £47,700 to the June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund.
It was received by club member Steve Lee and Kim Stubbs, the director of the fund and daughter of June Hancock.
Lee suffers from the disease which he caught from contact with asbestos in his early life.
Read More
Drop-in session centred on Mail asbestos article
BARROW ASBESTOS RELATED DISEASE SUPPORT: At a drop-in session held at Lesser Kings Hall, Hartington Street, Barrow, on April 21, a big increase in the number of people attending was noted, with 24 at the meeting.
John Horne attended the meeting and expressed his concerns regarding the site development.
He had discussed these concerns with locals who could remember railway carriages containing asbestos being broken up and buried at the site where it was anticipated the new Marina Village would be built.
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John Horne attended the meeting and expressed his concerns regarding the site development.
He had discussed these concerns with locals who could remember railway carriages containing asbestos being broken up and buried at the site where it was anticipated the new Marina Village would be built.
Read More
Leeds asbestos death legacy could be a lifesaver
Funds raised in memory of a heroic Leeds woman who died from mesothelioma cancer are to be used to help find a cure for the disease.
June Hancock lived in the shadow of the J W Roberts asbestos factory at Armley.
For decades it spewed asbestos dust over the community. It closed in the 1950s, but more than 50 years later its activities are still causing deaths.
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June Hancock lived in the shadow of the J W Roberts asbestos factory at Armley.
For decades it spewed asbestos dust over the community. It closed in the 1950s, but more than 50 years later its activities are still causing deaths.
Read More
MP assurances to battle on for asbestos victims
COPELAND MP Jamie Reed has vowed to keep fighting for justice for victims of an asbestos-related disease after the Government decided not to overturn a legal ruling affecting compensation payments.
Mr Reed said the fight was not over and backbenchers would not stop until pleural plaque sufferers were given justice.
Pleural plaques are scarring of the lungs caused by heavy and prolonged exposure to asbestos, often from working in shipyards, coal mines or on building sites.
The Labour MP is one of the figures in a Westminster campaign to overturn a Law Lords decision in 2007 that ruled sufferers of the condition, which can be an indication of fatal asbestosis, were no longer entitled to compensation which had existed for more than 20 years.
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Mr Reed said the fight was not over and backbenchers would not stop until pleural plaque sufferers were given justice.
Pleural plaques are scarring of the lungs caused by heavy and prolonged exposure to asbestos, often from working in shipyards, coal mines or on building sites.
The Labour MP is one of the figures in a Westminster campaign to overturn a Law Lords decision in 2007 that ruled sufferers of the condition, which can be an indication of fatal asbestosis, were no longer entitled to compensation which had existed for more than 20 years.
Read More
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