Understanding the New Multimodality Prognostic Score (MMPS) in Mesothelioma

Understanding the New Multimodality Prognostic Score (MMPS) in Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

The Multimodality Prognostic Score (MMPS) is a new tool for evidence-based mesothelioma treatment. It has given clinicians and surgeons a new guideline in multimodality treatment. The treatment options for mesothelioma are many. Often, one treatment alone cannot control cancer so many treatment types are required. Multimodal therapy can be tailored to each patient’s case. The Multimodality Prognostic Score (MMPS) has an update. It is a tool in the clinician’s toolbox for outlining a treatment plan. Surgical Options Surgery is a common treatment option for malignant pleural mesothelioma. There are two surgeries that are most common. The first is pleurectomy and decortication (P/D) surgery. The second is an extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP). Pleurectomy and decortication surgery (P/D) is a common pleural mesothelioma…

Treatment Combination for Younger Pre-Treated Mesothelioma Patients

Treatment Combination for Younger Pre-Treated Mesothelioma Patients

ByHolly Zink

There are many systemic therapies recommended for mesothelioma patients. Different therapies may work best for different patient populations. Different therapies may work better for older versus younger patients. Or, patients who have received treatment before. An international team of clinicians published a new study on this topic. They found a treatment strategy that works best for younger pre-treated patients. The Young (65 years or younger) and Pre-Treated Patient Mesothelioma patients who have received treatment once before, are often called “pre-treated.” Clinicians often have more personalized data available for these patients. This affects the clinician’s treatment strategy. A new study compared the data from nine different mesothelioma clinical trials. These clinical trials spanned standard and experimental treatment options. The results are…

A New Prognostic Signature Discovered for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
| | |

A New Prognostic Signature Discovered for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

Immune-related genes play an important role in malignant pleural mesothelioma prognosis. They can affect the tumor immune microenvironment and affect tumor prognosis. Immune-related genes can be used to predict the course of a disease or patient outcomes. These genes are often called a genetic prognostic signature. Chinese surgeons recently discovered a prognostic signature for malignant pleural mesothelioma patients. Constructing a Prognostic Signature with 5 Immune-Related Genes Genes play an important role in the development and progression of cancers like mesothelioma. The Chinese researchers started by searching for other studies on mesothelioma prognosis and genes. Researchers used data from the Cancer Genome Atlas to construct the prediction signature. Patients were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups. They also used this data…

New Enzyme Study Highlights a Potential New Mesothelioma Treatment
| |

New Enzyme Study Highlights a Potential New Mesothelioma Treatment

ByHolly Zink

Maryland researchers say an enzyme in mesothelioma tissues could be key to fighting this deadly cancer. Doctors at the University of Maryland say the enzyme, called Transglutaminase 2 (TG2), plays an important role in the inhibition of RNA synthesis which, in turn, can influence the development and spread of malignant mesothelioma. A New Target for Mesothelioma Therapy? Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung linings that develops in response to asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma patients have a limited life expectancy. Chemotherapy with or without surgical resection is the standard of care. This poor clinical experience speaks to the need for new treatment strategies. Current mesothelioma treatments do not target cancer stem‐like (MCS) cells. MCS cells are a small part of aggressive…

MicroRNAs in Cancer Development and Mesothelioma Personalized Medicine
| | |

MicroRNAs in Cancer Development and Mesothelioma Personalized Medicine

ByHolly Zink

A special issue was published in the Journal of Personalized Medicine. Dr. Alessandra Pulliero from the University of Genoa in Italy talks about microRNA. Specifically, the role of microRNA in cancer development and personalized medicine. A microRNA (miRNA) is a small part of an RNA molecule. MiRNAs play a key role in the regulation of gene expression in cells, including mesothelioma cells. Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer often caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos also causes a progressive lung disease called asbestosis. Environmental exposure to asbestos often causes a higher incidence of malignant mesothelioma. Malignant mesothelioma is characterized by poor prognosis and short survival. Personalized Medicine and Mesothelioma Scientists now know that the role of miRNAs changes once they…

Mesothelioma and MRI Scans: Using an Old Tool in a New Way
| |

Mesothelioma and MRI Scans: Using an Old Tool in a New Way

ByHolly Zink

Imaging scans are an important tool in helping clinicians diagnose mesothelioma. These scans include X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and PET scans. These tools help clinicians to see tumors inside a patient’s body. The results of the scan cannot diagnose mesothelioma, but it is an important tool for arriving at the correct diagnosis. Unlike X-rays and CT’s, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans use a completely different type of radiation. An MRI applies a very strong magnetic field to change the spin of protons. The scanner also produces a radio frequency. This process produces a signal that can be made into an image. Until now, the role of MRIs has been limited in mesothelioma. However, new evidence suggests MRIs can be…

Using Electric Fields to Treat Tumors: Combining Standard and Innovative Treatments
| | |

Using Electric Fields to Treat Tumors: Combining Standard and Innovative Treatments

ByHolly Zink

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer and standard therapies are limited. So most patients consider one or more different treatments. Different types of therapies can be used and they are usually not exclusive. Mesothelioma patients can move from one type to another. And, if their doctors agree, can sometimes use them in combination. One of the non-standard treatment therapies is the use of electric fields. Tumor-treating electric fields can disrupt cancer cell division. This treatment is approved for mesothelioma treatment. A new combination of treatments has recently been proposed. Does the combination of tumor-treating fields with a standard treatment effective? A new global clinical trial combined tumor-treating fields with sorafenib. This medication blocks cell protein signals to prevent cancer cells from…

Gender Differences in Men versus Women with Mesothelioma
| |

Gender Differences in Men versus Women with Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

Asbestos is toxic and cancer-causing for human beings. Asbestos causes mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases. Asbestos-related diseases affect men and women differently. A recent study looked at Brazilian patients with asbestos-related diseases. These included mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung and ovarian cancer. Introduction Mesothelioma, asbestosis, and pleural plaques are the main asbestos-related diseases. Many consider mesothelioma as the fingerprint of asbestos usage. Between 1961 and 2017, more 7 million tons of asbestos were consumed in Brazil. Mesothelioma from occupational exposure is most common in men. They were often exposed to asbestos at the job site. The number of non-occupational exposures is higher in women. Women are often exposed to asbestos from domestic and environmental sources. It has been difficult to…

Body Swelling and Joint Pain in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
| |

Body Swelling and Joint Pain in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

The diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma often includes widespread body inflammation. Inflammation and body swelling occur when white blood cells try to protect against infection. Symptoms of inflammation are often redness, swelling, and joint pain or stiffness. Oncologists have studied the relationship between swelling and cancer for 150 years. New research was recently published in the scientific journal Lung Cancer. French medical oncologists believe that patients with more body swelling may have shorter survival. This suggests that body swelling may play a big role in malignant pleural mesothelioma. Body Swelling to Predict a Developing Mesothelioma Diagnosis Prediction of diagnosis is important for malignant pleural mesothelioma patients. The sooner a patient can be diagnosed, the better their outcomes. Oncologists suggest that…

Living With Mesothelioma: Coping Strategies to Find Hope
| |

Living With Mesothelioma: Coping Strategies to Find Hope

ByHolly Zink

Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. One key question remains unanswered. How do diagnosed patients experience living with mesothelioma? A new study in Health Psychology aimed to explore the mesothelioma patient experience. Data from 22 different research studies were analyzed. The coping strategies highlighted here provide hope for mesothelioma patients and caregivers. The results bring awareness of the patient experience, coping processes, and support pathways. Two Coping Strategies to Support a Mesothelioma Patient The best coping strategies help patients reclaim a sense of mental calm, individual autonomy, and meaning. These strategies can also reduce the trauma of living with mesothelioma. Patients who accepted the diagnosis fully were more optimistic than those in denial. Patients who accepted the…