While mesothelioma is a problem in all states, the specific incident rate for Minnesota is 1.3 / 100,000. This is above the average rate of 1.1 / 100,000. Click on the tabs below to find mesothelioma and asbestos research in MN, recent MN mesothelioma-related court cases, mesothelioma specialists in MN and potential asbestos hotspots in Minnesota.

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Minnesota Mesothelioma Info

By clicking on the above tabs, you will find information on mesothelioma specific to the state of Minnesota

Minnesota Research and Clinical Trials

This is a partial list of scientific or medical grants in your state for research into mesothelioma and related illnesses.

Minnesota Doctors and Hospitals

This is a partial list of hospitals and physicians that reportedly treat mesothelioma patients in your state.

Minnesota Cases

This is a partial list of relevant court cases on mesothelioma in your state.

Disclaimer: Inclusion on this directory does not constitute endorsement by Cancer Monthly, Inc. All physicians who appear in this section do so based on their own expression of interest in the fields of mesothelioma treatment. Cancer Monthly, Inc. has not verified the competence, professional credentials, business practices or validity of the expressed interests of these physicians. Cancer Monthly makes no recommendation of any physician on this list and makes no suggestion that any such physician will cure or prevent any disease. Those consulting a physician on this list should approach the consultation exactly as they would with any other unknown physician.

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Research

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[dopaccordion title=”Kratzke, Robert A. Cdk Inhibitors And Response To Dhac In Mesothelioma

1R21CA083689-01″ icon=27 activeicon=28]

Abstract: DESCRIPTION: (adapted from the investigator’s abstract) Mesothelioma is a largely incurable disease for which no effective systemic treatment exists. Since 1984 the Cancer and leukemia Group B (CALGB) has enrolled almost 400 patients on treatment studies for mesothelioma with extremely limited success. Two studies carried out almost a decade ago, CALGB 9031 and CALGB 8833, used the novel cytidine analog, dihydro-5-azacytidine (DHAC). Although the response rates to this drug was disappointing low (17%), the cohort of patients who did respond often had prolonged partial responses or even long term complete responses. One patient remains in remission almost a decade later. The mechanism of action of azacytidine analogs is felt to be through inhibition of DNA hypermethylation. Methylation of DNA resulting in suppression of expression is increasingly being found to be a common mechanism for silencing tumor suppressor genes in a variety of cancers. One common target for hypermethylation appears to be the cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor p16INK4a (CDKN2, MST). Based on a relatively small number of samples, he has previously identified loss of p16INK4a expression in virtually all mesothelioma tumors and cell lines examined, while these tumors retain the inversely correlated Rb gene product (pRB). In a subset of these tumors and cell lines, loss of p16INK4a gene product expression is mediated through hypermethylation of 5′ DNA. This process can be reversed with azacytidine drugs in vitro and in vivo. Dr. Kratzke has previously demonstrated that re-expression of p16INK4a protein in mesothelioma cells results in cell death, and can be used to shrink existing xenografts in vivo. Based on these observations, he intend to examine a large cohort of patients (n=77) who were diagnosed with mesothelimoa and treated with azacytidine drugs in order to examine the following hypothesis: 1) All mesothelioma tumors lack expression of the p16INK4a gene product while maintaining wild-type expression of pRB. 2) Expression of the p16INK4A gene product is regulated by hypermethylation in a minority of mesothelioma tumors. 3) Response to azacytidine based therapy correlates with the presence of hypermethylation of the p16INK4a gene. 4) Response to azacytidine based therapy is inversely correlated with gene rearrangement of p16INK4a in mesothelioma tumors. 

Tags: Dna Methylation, Azacitidine, Cyclin Dependent Kinase, Enzyme Inhibitor, Human Therapy Evaluation, Mesothelioma, Neoplasm /cancer Chemotherapy, Nucleoside Analog, Tumor Suppressor Gene Gene Rearrangement Human Tissue 

  • Followup
     5R21CA083689-02

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[dopaccordion title=”Alexander, Bruce H. Respiratory Health And Community Asbestos Exposure

1R01TS000014-01″ icon=27 activeicon=28]

Abstract: DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Asbestos is a known casual factor for lung cancer, asbestosis, mesothelioma. These associations are well established in occupationally exposed populations, however the risks at lower environmental exposures are not clear. The mission of the ATSDR includes developing the knowledge base related to understanding the effects of hazardous substances, like asbestos, on human health. The proposed research builds on previous work funded by the ATSDR evaluating an asbestos contaminated environment. From 1938-1989 a densely populated urban residential neighborhood in Minneapolis, MN experienced significant environmental asbestos exposure from processing asbestos contaminated vermiculite ore from Libby Montana at the Western Minerals/ WR Grace facility. Waste rock from the processing plant was distributed widely around the neighborhood and children frequently played on the piles of waste rock. The Minnesota Department of Health in cooperation with the ATSDR has established a roster of current and former residents of the neighborhood and have made initial estimates of exposure to this population. The long-term goal of this research effort is to determine the extent to which asbestos exposure from contaminated ore at the WM/WRG facility in Minneapolis resulted in adverse health consequences to workers and members of the surrounding community. The proposed research will focus on non-occupational exposure in the community. The following hypotheses will be addressed in this research. 1. Non-occupational exposure to asbestos contaminated vermiculite products and waste products is associated with increased prevalence of non-malignant asbestos related respiratory disease, specifically pleural abnormalities, in the members of the Northeast Minneapolis Community Vermiculite Investigation Cohort. 2. Exposure during childhood is more strongly related to onset of non-malignant respiratory disease. A sample of 600 of the identified residents will be selected based on probability of exposure. A respiratory screening protocol for detection of non-malignant respiratory abnormalities (radiographic and spirometry) consistent with asbestos exposure will establish prevalent asbestos related respiratory disease. The prevalence of these conditions will be compared on the basis of estimated asbestos exposure while controlling for potentially confounding covariates. Analyses will consider cumulative exposure and short, intense periods of exposure, with specific reference to exposure in childhood. 

Tags: Asbestos, Early Experience, Environmental Exposure, Hazardous Substance, Industrial Waste, Respiratory Disorder Epidemiology Environmental Contamination, Health Survey, Lung Neoplasm, Mesothelioma, Mining, Occupational Hazard, Pneumoconiosis, Respiratory Disorder, Respiratory Disorder Diagnosis Human Subject, Questionnaire, Thoracic Radiography

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[dopaccordion title=”Alexander, Bruce H. Repiratory Health And Community Asbestos Exposure

5R01TS000014-03″ icon=27 activeicon=28]

Abstract: Asbestos is a known causal factor for lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. These associations are well established in occupationally exposed populations, however the risks at lower environmental exposures are not clear. The mission of the ATSDR includes developing the knowledge base related to understanding the effects of hazardous substances, like asbestos, on human health. The proposed research builds on previous worked funded by the ATSDR evaluating an asbestos contaminated environment. From 1938-1989 a densely populated urban residential neighborhood in Minneapolis MN experienced significant environmental asbestos exposure from processing asbestos contaminated vermiculite ore from Libby Montana at the Western Minerals/WR Grace facility. Waste rock from the processing plant was distributed widely around the neighborhood and children in the neighborhood frequently played on the piles of waste rock. The Minnesota Department of Health in cooperation with the ATSDR has established a roster of current and former residents of the neighborhood and have made initial estimates of exposure to this population. The long-term goal of this research effort is to determine the extent to which asbestos exposure from contaminated ore at the WM/WRG facility in Minneapolis resulted in adverse health consequences to workers and members of the surrounding community. The proposed research will focus on non-occupational exposure in the community. The following hypotheses will be addressed in this research. 1. Non-occupational exposure to asbestos contaminated vermiculite products and waste products is associated with increased prevalence of non-malignant asbestos related respiratory disease, specifically pleural abnormalities, in the members of the Northeast Minneapolis Community Vermiculite Investigation Cohort. 2. Exposure during childhood is more strongly related to onset of non-malignant respiratory disease. A sample of 600 of the identified residents will be selected based on probability of exposure. A respiratory screening protocol for detection of non-malignant respiratory abnormalities (radiographic and spirometry) consistent with asbestos exposure will establish prevalent asbestos related respiratory disease. The prevalence of these conditions will be compared on the basis of estimated asbestos exposure while controlling for potentially confounding covariates. Analyses will consider cumulative exposure and short, intense periods of exposure, with specific reference to exposure in childhood. 

Tags: There Are No Thesaurus Terms On File For This Project.

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Clinical Trials

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[dopaccordion title=”Recruiting Sorafenib, Pemetrexed, and Cisplatin in Treating Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors” icon=27 activeicon=28]

Condition: Breast Cancer;   Colorectal Cancer;   Head and Neck Cancer;   Lung Cancer;   Malignant Mesothelioma;   Pancreatic Cancer;   Prostate Cancer;   Sarcoma
Intervention: Drug: cisplatin;   Drug: pemetrexed disodium;   Drug: sorafenib tosylate
More Information

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[dopaccordion title=”Active, not recruiting Dasatinib in Treating Patients With Previously Treated Malignant Mesothelioma” icon=27 activeicon=28]

Condition: Malignant Mesothelioma
Intervention: Drug: dasatinib;   Other: immunoenzyme technique;   Other: immunohistochemistry staining method;   Other: laboratory biomarker analysis
More Information

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[dopaccordion title=”Active, not recruiting Pemetrexed Disodium and Either Gemcitabine or Carboplatin in Treating Patients With Advanced Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma” icon=27 activeicon=28]

Condition: Malignant Mesothelioma
Intervention: Drug: carboplatin;   Drug: gemcitabine hydrochloride;   Drug: pemetrexed disodium
More Information

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[dopaccordion title=”Active, not recruiting Pazopanib in Treating Patients With Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma” icon=27 activeicon=28]

Condition: Malignant Mesothelioma
Intervention: Drug: pazopanib hydrochloride;   Other: laboratory biomarker analysis
More Information

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[dopaccordion title=”Completed Gemcitabine and Epirubicin in Treating Patients With Malignant Mesothelioma” icon=27 activeicon=28]

Condition: Malignant Mesothelioma
Intervention: Drug: epirubicin hydrochloride;   Drug: gemcitabine hydrochloride
More Information

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[dopaccordion title=”Completed Gefitinib in Treating Patients With Malignant Mesothelioma” icon=27 activeicon=28]

Condition: Malignant Mesothelioma
Intervention: Drug: gefitinib
More Information

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[dopaccordion title=”Active, not recruiting Capecitabine in Treating Patients With Malignant Mesothelioma” icon=27 activeicon=28]

Condition: Malignant Mesothelioma
Intervention: Drug: capecitabine
More Information

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[dopaccordion title=”Active, not recruiting PTK787/ZK 222584 in Treating Patients With Unresectable Malignant Mesothelioma” icon=27 activeicon=28]

Condition: Malignant Mesothelioma
Intervention: Drug: vatalanib
More Information

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[dopaccordion title=”Active, not recruiting Biomarkers of Angiogenesis and Disease in Patients With Unresectable Malignant Mesothelioma Treated on Clinical Trial CALGB-30107″ icon=27 activeicon=28]

Condition: Malignant Mesothelioma
Intervention: Other: immunoenzyme technique;   Other: laboratory biomarker analysis
More Information

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[dopaccordion title=”Active, not recruiting ONCONASE Plus Doxorubicin Versus Doxorubicin Alone For Patients With Malignant Pleural or Peritoneal Mesothelioma Who Have Had No More Than One Prior Chemotherapy Regimen” icon=27 activeicon=28]

Condition: Malignant Mesothelioma
Intervention: Drug: doxorubicin hydrochloride;   Drug: ranpirnase
More Information

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[dopaccordion title=”Active, not recruiting Sorafenib in Treating Patients With Malignant Mesothelioma” icon=27 activeicon=28]

Condition: Malignant Mesothelioma
Intervention: Drug: sorafenib tosylate
More Information

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[dopaccordion title=”Completed Erlotinib in Treating Patients With Malignant Mesothelioma of the Lung” icon=27 activeicon=28]

Condition: Malignant Mesothelioma
Intervention: Drug: erlotinib hydrochloride
More Information

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Hospital and Cancer Centers

University of Minnesota Cancer Center
Division of Hematology/Oncology MMC286
Minneapolis, MN
612.624.5631 

Veterans Affairs Medical Center-Minneapolis
1 Veterans Drive
Minneapolis, MN
612.725.2000 

Mayo Clinic Cancer Center
200 1st St. SW 
Rochester, MN
507.284.2511

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Cases

Conwed Corp. v. Union Carbide Chems. & Plastics Co.
CX-00-2200, SUPREME COURT OF MINNESOTA, October 4, 2001, Filed

Bunce v. A.P.I., Inc.
A04-1348, A04-1394 , COURT OF APPEALS OF MINNESOTA, June 7, 2005, Filed

Tester v. American Std., Inc.
C9-98-999, COURT OF APPEALS OF MINNESOTA, April 6, 1999, Filed

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Lawyers

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