A New Mesothelioma Risk Score for Patients with Pre-Treated Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
There has been some encouraging news for patients with pre-treated malignant pleural mesothelioma. A new mesothelioma risk score has been developed for pre-treated mesothelioma patients. The new score is predictive of patient outcomes and it informs a better treatment strategy for second-line treatment. Results come from an international team of oncologists from Italy, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Greece, and Spain. The Pre-Treated Mesothelioma Patient The young (65 years or younger) mesothelioma patients who have received treatment once before are often called “pre-treated.” Clinicians often have more personalized data available for these patients. But there are many different factors that affect the clinician’s treatment strategy. The best treatment for pre-treated mesothelioma patients is still up for debate. Many clinicians use a … Continue reading A New Mesothelioma Risk Score for Patients with Pre-Treated Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
The First FDA-Approved Mesothelioma Drug in 15 Years
On October 2, 2020, the first FDA-approved mesothelioma drug in 15 years hit the market. They approved a new combination of drugs for mesothelioma. The combination of nivolumab with ipilimumab is now considered the first-line treatment. It is the go-to for adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma. The FDA based approval on results from an open-label clinical trial. The results of a new study show outcomes of Mesothelioma patients over the last 2 years. This often was often six cycles of chemotherapy. Patient survival using this new combination of drugs was an average of 18.1 months. This was an increase from 14.1 months for patients who only received chemotherapy. More clinical pharmacology data also supported an alternative dosing regimen. … Continue reading The First FDA-Approved Mesothelioma Drug in 15 Years
Preventing Malignant Mesothelioma through National Asbestos Regulation
After almost 30 years, one key to preventing malignant mesothelioma is found. A national ban on asbestos in the Netherlands has shown positive effects. Results from a new study show the ban cut malignant mesothelioma incidence. Malignant mesothelioma incidence has peaked about 10 years earlier than predicted. This is after the Dutch national ban on asbestos. Mesothelioma treatment advances have led to somewhat better survival in the Netherlands. But the prognosis is still dismal. National Regulation Can Prevent Malignant Mesothelioma In 1993, a national ban on asbestos went into effect in the Netherlands. This ban was preventing malignant mesothelioma in future generations. Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer. It arises from the pleura or peritoneum due to asbestos exposure. A … Continue reading Preventing Malignant Mesothelioma through National Asbestos Regulation
New Drug Targeting Fibrosis may Help Mesothelioma Patients
Targeting fibrosis has therapeutic benefits in mesothelioma. Most drugs have limited effects in difficult-to-treat cancers such as mesothelioma. Often this is because not enough of the drug can get into the tumor to generate an anti-tumor effect. Fibrosis is a common element of mesothelioma. It causes the area around the cancer to stiffen. Fibrosis acts as a barrier, stopping drugs from getting into the cancer tumor. This limits the immune system’s ability to detect and access the tumor to kill it. A new study is looking at how a family of proteins called lysyl oxidases can help solve this problem. These proteins are associated with fibrosis in many cancers, including mesothelioma. Oncologists targeting fibrosis and this protein family may improve … Continue reading New Drug Targeting Fibrosis may Help Mesothelioma Patients
Asbestos Exposure During Childhood Can Lead to Mesothelioma
Scientists are looking at mesothelioma risk in women exposed to asbestos. Asbestos exposure in women varies. But, environmental and domestic asbestos exposures are common. Oncologists are now asking about childhood environmental and domestic asbestos exposures. A study from the International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health tells more. Forms of Asbestos Exposure: Environmental and Domestic All forms of asbestos are capable of causing cancer in humans. Most asbestos research focuses on malignant mesothelioma. This is aggressive cancer associated with exposure to asbestos. Occupational asbestos exposure is the most common exposure. Workers are exposed to asbestos on the job site or through work-related tasks. Women more often have domestic asbestos exposure. This comes from living with and handling the clothing … Continue reading Asbestos Exposure During Childhood Can Lead to Mesothelioma
Clinical Trial Participation: Perspectives from Mesothelioma Patients and Caregivers
Clinical trial participation is a common topic for mesothelioma patients and their caregivers. Treatment options for mesothelioma are increasing. This is a direct result of the number of clinical trials available to patients. Yet, little is known about patients’ and relatives’ feelings about trial participation. A new study provides insight into people’s experiences of clinical trial participation. They also report what factors influence decision-making. Scientists interviewed twelve people, comprising five mesothelioma patients and seven relatives. They identified four themes related to the experience of mesothelioma. First, is the physicality of the disease. Second, the patient’s quality of life. Third, uncertainty and risk are associated with mesothelioma. And fourth, planning for an unpredictable future. A further theme included attitudes on clinical … Continue reading Clinical Trial Participation: Perspectives from Mesothelioma Patients and Caregivers
Two New Diagnostic Tissue Biomarkers Discovered for Mesothelioma
Scientists have now identified two new diagnostic tissue biomarkers for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Doctors identify mesothelioma using diagnostic tissue biomarkers. This is called immunohistochemistry. The use of immunohistochemistry improves the accuracy of mesothelioma diagnosis in clinical practice. Yet, new methods for discovering diagnostic markers are still needed. Following a Reverse Approach in a Rare Case Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed after a person experiencing symptoms goes to a doctor. One thing a doctor may do is perform a tissue biopsy. The doctor will remove a part of the tissue (suspected mesothelioma) for examination. Most tissue biopsies are done with a needle and then examined in a laboratory. The lab will look for specific biomarkers to find out if the tissue contains … Continue reading Two New Diagnostic Tissue Biomarkers Discovered for Mesothelioma
New Artificial Intelligence Tool Measures Mesothelioma Tumors
A new artificial intelligence tool can measure mesothelioma tumors without any human input. Automated mesothelioma tumor measurement is now possible. The artificial intelligence algorithm performed well. There were 266 malignant pleural mesothelioma tumors analyzed. This is the largest study of its kind performed in mesothelioma. And this is the first description of an automated artificial intelligence tool. Inconsistent Mesothelioma Measurement During Clinical Assessment In malignant pleural mesothelioma, complex tumors result in inconsistent clinical assessment. Promising new methods need practical computer automation methods. A new publication showed an automated tool for this purpose. This study compared a new artificial intelligence tool with human standard clinical assessment. This study looked at mesothelioma patients treated with chemotherapy. Evaluating How Well the New Tool … Continue reading New Artificial Intelligence Tool Measures Mesothelioma Tumors
Mesothelioma Patients with Coronavirus: Artificial Intelligence to Provide Best Treatment Plan
Mesothelioma patients are vulnerable to the coronavirus due to their poor immune response. Artificial intelligence can provide information used to treat cancer patients diagnosed with coronavirus. Hospitals have access to real-time data from cancer patients. Artificial intelligence uses this data to predict the severity of the patient’s risk. And, it can help physicians alter or change their treatment plans. A mix of treatment therapies can heal mesothelioma patients with coronavirus. Artificial intelligence can predict a patient’s treatment plan to increase survival rates. Coronavirus Disrupts Normal Treatment Plans The coronavirus pandemic has caused chaos throughout the world. The key threat of the coronavirus is in immune-compromised mesothelioma patients. Their weakened immune response makes them weak and at risk. Oncologists and their … Continue reading Mesothelioma Patients with Coronavirus: Artificial Intelligence to Provide Best Treatment Plan
Social Distancing for Mesothelioma Patients: Unexpected Upside?
As concern about the novel coronavirus spreads around the world, there could be an unexpected upside to social distancing for mesothelioma patients. Social distancing is the recommendation that people not gather in larger groups. Even in smaller settings, the CDC recommends that people stay at least six feet apart from one another to avoid spreading the virus. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by the virus SARS-CoV2. Because humans have not yet built up immunity to SARS-CoV2, it is more likely to make them sick. Mesothelioma patients may have even lower resistance to disease. This is why social distancing for mesothelioma patients is especially important. As people become more aware of the threat to themselves at others, they are less … Continue reading Social Distancing for Mesothelioma Patients: Unexpected Upside?
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