Unlocking the Power of Vitamin A: Tretinoin Enhances Cancer Treatment
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Unlocking the Power of Vitamin A: Tretinoin Enhances Cancer Treatment

ByHolly Zink

Tretinoin is a derivative of vitamin A. It shows the potential to enhance the effects of chemotherapy. Combining tretinoin with chemotherapy improved survival rates in mesothelioma in mice. Chemotherapy Response in Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that is hard to diagnose and treat. It develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers many of the body’s internal organs. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to a toxic mineral called asbestos. In most cases, doctors will use more than one type of treatment to remove as many cancer cells as possible from a patient’s body. The standard therapies include chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. When a patient gets chemotherapy treatment, they are given drugs that kill cells by damaging their DNA. Currently, the only…

Understanding Mesothelioma: Clues from Calretinin for Patients

Understanding Mesothelioma: Clues from Calretinin for Patients

ByHolly Zink

Malignant mesothelioma is a tough cancer caused by asbestos. It’s hard to treat because it grows quickly and is tough to beat. A recent study took a close look at a protein called calretinin. Scientists wanted to see if it could help predict how long someone might live with this cancer and how well they might respond to treatment. A Possible Game-Changer in Mesothelioma Care The study looked at 265 patients with this mesothelioma. They checked how much calretinin was in their blood and looked at the genes linked to how calretinin works. Scientists used tests to measure calretinin and found differences in genes among patients. Then they checked if these things were connected to how long patients lived or…

New Hope for Pleural Mesothelioma: Targeting YB-1 for Enhanced Treatment
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New Hope for Pleural Mesothelioma: Targeting YB-1 for Enhanced Treatment

ByHolly Zink

Pleural mesothelioma has been challenging to treat with limited options and a poor outlook. But, researchers have uncovered a promising new way to improve chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This exciting breakthrough means new treatment options for mesothelioma treatment. Understanding YB-1 in Mesothelioma A new study focused on a protein called Y-box-binding protein 1 (YB-1). Previous research has shown that YB-1 plays a role in controlling various aspects of pleural mesothelioma. It plays a role in cancer cell growth, cell death, and cell movement. Building on this knowledge, the researchers set out to see if targeting YB-1 could make treatments more effective. To target YB-1, the researchers used small interfering RNA to “knock down” YB-1. This significantly reduced tumor growth. This also…

Promising Results: Pembrolizumab Enhances Mesothelioma Treatment
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Promising Results: Pembrolizumab Enhances Mesothelioma Treatment

ByHolly Zink

Pleural mesothelioma is a challenging cancer caused by asbestos exposure. It is often diagnosed in advanced stages with limited treatment options. However, a glimmer of hope has emerged in recent years with a groundbreaking approach. The addition of pembrolizumab to standard chemotherapy has shown promising results in improving the overall survival of patients with this devastating disease. A Global Effort A phase 3 clinical trial was conducted across 51 hospitals in Canada, Italy, and France. Eligible participants, aged 18 years or older, had previously untreated advanced pleural mesothelioma and a good performance status. They were randomly divided into two groups. One received intravenous chemotherapy with or without pembrolizumab. A Game-Changing Outcome The trial ran from January 2017 to September 2020…

A Step Forward in Treating Pleural Mesothelioma: The Pembrolizumab and Lenvatinib Combination
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A Step Forward in Treating Pleural Mesothelioma: The Pembrolizumab and Lenvatinib Combination

ByHolly Zink

Pleural mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that has been challenging to treat effectively. However, recent breakthroughs in medical research are shedding new light on potential treatment options. Researchers investigated the potential of a combination therapy involving pembrolizumab and lenvatinib. Their findings were promising, with over 50% of patients experiencing tumor shrinkage. While this marks an important step forward, challenges such as side effects need to be carefully addressed in future research. Uncovering Hope for Pleural Mesothelioma Pleural mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs. It’s linked to exposure to a harmful substance called asbestos. Asbestos used to be used a lot in construction and other industries. Finding good treatments…

The Crucial Role of Initial Tests in Mesothelioma Treatment
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The Crucial Role of Initial Tests in Mesothelioma Treatment

ByHolly Zink

Mesothelioma diagnosis and treatment begin with a series of initial tests to determine the specific type of the disease. A recent study explored these tests and their accuracy in predicting mesothelioma types. Discover why getting it right from the start can be a matter of life and death for mesothelioma patients. Prognosis and Treatment Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and other organs. Doctors often use surgery to remove the cancer. In some cases, they also use chemotherapy before the surgery to shrink the tumor. Before starting treatment, doctors conduct tests to figure out what type of mesothelioma their patient has. A recent study looked at how accurate the initial tests were in…

A Game-Changer in Mesothelioma Therapy: Targeting YB-1 Protein
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A Game-Changer in Mesothelioma Therapy: Targeting YB-1 Protein

ByHolly Zink

An international team of researchers has discovered a unique YB-1 protein. It can make chemotherapy more effective at treating mesothelioma. Combating Mesothelioma with Precision Mesothelioma is an aggressive type of cancer, especially when it affects the lining around our lungs. It is caused by exposure to asbestos. Finding effective treatments has been a challenge, but recent research has brought a ray of hope. Scientists have been studying a particular protein called Y-box-binding protein 1 (YB-1). It plays a vital role in the growth and movement of mesothelioma cells. When treating mesothelioma, one of the main approaches is chemotherapy. This powerful treatment uses drugs to target and kill cancer cells. The only FDA-approved chemotherapy drug combination is pemetrexed with cisplatin. Sometimes,…

Unleashing the Immune System: How ONCOS-102 Enhances Mesothelioma Therapy
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Unleashing the Immune System: How ONCOS-102 Enhances Mesothelioma Therapy

ByHolly Zink

An international team of scientists looked at adding a special kind of virus called ONCOS-102 to chemotherapy drugs. They found that adding ONCOS-102 can help mesothelioma patients live a bit longer during treatment. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Treatment for this disease can include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The Promising Treatment Partnership ONCOS-102 is a type of virus that can help the body’s immune system attack cancer cells. Scientists wanted to see if using ONCOS-102 with chemotherapy could make this treatment work better. The current FDA-approved chemotherapy drugs for mesothelioma are pemetrexed with cisplatin. These drugs target rapidly growing cancer cells, but they can also affect healthy cells that grow rapidly such as blood cells. To…

Unveiling a New Challenge: How Zinc Can Compromise Mesothelioma Chemotherapy
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Unveiling a New Challenge: How Zinc Can Compromise Mesothelioma Chemotherapy

ByHolly Zink

Researchers have discovered that zinc can make chemotherapy treatment less effective in patients with mesothelioma. Navigating Mesothelioma Treatment Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer caused by asbestos. It grows and spreads through the lining of organs like the lungs. Mesothelioma is rare and can be hard to treat. Because of this, the outlook for people with mesothelioma is usually poor. Doctors will typically combine therapies to treat mesothelioma. One of these treatments is chemotherapy. When a patient gets chemotherapy treatment, they are given drugs that kill cells by damaging their DNA. Currently, the only FDA-approved chemotherapy for mesothelioma is a combination of pemetrexed and cisplatin. Cisplatin is a platinum-based drug. It damages the DNA of dividing cells and slows down the…

Mesothelioma Treatment Roadmap: Connecting Chemotherapy Response and Surgical Outcomes
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Mesothelioma Treatment Roadmap: Connecting Chemotherapy Response and Surgical Outcomes

ByHolly Zink

Mesothelioma patients who do not respond well to chemotherapy before surgery are likely to have poor outcomes after the procedure. This is the finding of a group of researchers from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. How Chemotherapy Response Shapes Mesothelioma Surgery Outcomes Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that is hard to diagnose and treat. It develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers many of the body’s internal organs. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to a toxic mineral called asbestos. In most cases, doctors will use more than one type of treatment to remove as many cancer cells as possible from a patient’s body. The standard therapies include chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Of all…