Uncovering the Secrets of Long-Term Survival in Pleural Mesothelioma: The DNA Repair Factor

Uncovering the Secrets of Long-Term Survival in Pleural Mesothelioma: The DNA Repair Factor

ByHolly Zink

DNA repair plays an important role in a type of cancer called malignant pleural mesothelioma. Scientists have found that mesothelioma patients who live for a very long time do not have active DNA repair function. Exploring Longevity in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers many of the body’s internal organs. Pleural mesothelioma grows in the lining of the lungs. There are about 2,000 cases of pleural mesothelioma each year in the United States. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. This is a toxic material that has been used in construction, manufacturing, and many other applications. This type of cancer is hard to treat, and doctors often…

Identifying Mesothelioma: How Extracellular Vesicles Could Be the Key
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Identifying Mesothelioma: How Extracellular Vesicles Could Be the Key

ByHolly Zink

Scientists believe that particles called extracellular vesicles could be used as biomarkers to identify malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Malignant pleural mesothelioma is an aggressive and deadly cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. It is caused by exposure to asbestos, usually at work. It has a low survival rate, so it is important to find ways to diagnose it early. It is also important for doctors to be able to predict how it will develop in patients. How Mesothelioma is Diagnosed Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed after a person goes to a doctor because they are experiencing symptoms. For MPM, a person might feel shortness of breath due to fluid around the lung, chest pain, cough, and…

Predicting Outcomes for People with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
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Predicting Outcomes for People with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

A new study has found that a prognostic score based on the activity of just two genes could be useful in predicting outcomes for people with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). The study was published the journal Diagnostics and was conducted by scientists from Bulgaria. Early Detection is Key for Better Outcomes Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and chest called the pleura. It usually happens when a person has been exposed to asbestos. This is a harmful mineral that can be used in buildings and other materials. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can get trapped in the pleura and over time, cause cancer to develop. The cancer cells in…

Treating Relapsed Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
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Treating Relapsed Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

Researchers from China explored whether immunotherapy or chemotherapy was a better option as a second-line treatment for relapsed malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). There is currently no standard of care for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) that comes back after initial treatment. Because of this, it can be hard for doctors to make good care decisions for MPM patients who relapse. Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma MPM is a rare but serious cancer that grows on the lining of the lungs. It is caused by exposure to a toxic substance called asbestos. A healthy pleura is thin and flexible and expands to accommodate the lungs during respiration. In a person with mesothelioma, this membrane becomes thick and stiff, constricting the lungs and causing shortness…

Rare Mesothelioma Disease Combination
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Rare Mesothelioma Disease Combination

ByHolly Zink

Doctors in Italy treated a patient who was diagnosed with both primary gastric Burkitt lymphoma (PGBL) and malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). This is a rare disease combination. The doctors in this case had a hard time reaching the correct diagnosis because the symptoms of these two cancers are very similar. The patient also did not have the usual risk factors for these cancers. For instance, the patient did not have any exposure to asbestos that might cause MPM. Two Rare Diseases MPM is a rare type of cancer that develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and chest wall. Signs and symptoms may include shortness of breath due to fluid around the lung, chest pain, cough,…

Improving Survival in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
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Improving Survival in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

Surgery to remove cancer tissue can lead to improved survival for epithelioid malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Patients with sarcomatoid or biphasic malignant pleural mesothelioma did not have the same results. This is the finding of a study that looked at patient data from the National Cancer Database. Worst Prognosis with Standard Therapies MPM is an aggressive cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs. It is caused by exposure to asbestos and is difficult to treat. There are three cell types for this type of cancer: epithelioid, sarcomatoid, and biphasic. About half of malignant mesotheliomas are epithelioid. This type tends to have better treatment outcomes. About 10% of mesotheliomas are sarcomatoid. This type generally has the worst prognosis with…

Mesothelioma Breakthrough Can Spare the Diaphragm
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Mesothelioma Breakthrough Can Spare the Diaphragm

ByHolly Zink

A new study shows that surgery for malignant pleural mesothelioma can spare the diaphragm without reducing overall survival. This study was conducted by medical researchers from St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in the United Kingdom. Surgery for Malignant Pleural Mesothlioma Mesothelioma is a type of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. It can take decades after asbestos exposure for the cancer to develop. It is an aggressive cancer and can be hard to treat. When the cancer grows in your lungs, it is called malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Conventional treatment for MPM may include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Surgery is the most invasive treatment option and not every patient is eligible for surgery. If the patient is too ill or if…

Is Right-Sided Pleural Mesothelioma Worse than Left-Sided?
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Is Right-Sided Pleural Mesothelioma Worse than Left-Sided?

ByHolly Zink

Pleural mesothelioma develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and chest wall. Pleural mesothelioma may develop in the lining of the chest wall on just one side of the chest. Previous research has suggested that right-sided pleural mesothelioma is associated with a poorer prognosis. Yet, these were very small studies and estimates were not precise. Dr. Adjepong’s team decided to see if the side mattered. Does it matter if pleural mesothelioma is more on the left or right side? Using National SEER Database to Study Pleural Mesothelioma Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a highly aggressive and rare form of cancer. There are approximately 2,000 cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in the U.S. every year. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to…

Cells Talking in the Tumor Microenvironment: Cracking the Code
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Cells Talking in the Tumor Microenvironment: Cracking the Code

ByHolly Zink

The tumor microenvironment and stroma cells affect the progression and treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma. A new study shows how cells support the malignancy of mesothelioma and potential therapies. Malignant pleural mesothelioma has a unique and complex tumor microenvironment. A new study recently showed that the tumor microenvironment plays a key role in cancer initiation and progression. Scientists are seeking to understand how cancer and non-cancer cells communicate. Cancer and Non-Cancer Cells Talk to Each Other When white blood cells do not filter out asbestos fibers, other cells in the body are able to begin growing cancerous mesothelial cells. Scientists are seeking to understand how cancer and non-cancer cells communicate in the body. Non-cancer cells include immune cells and stromal…

Updated Guidelines Aim to Advance Mesothelioma Research
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Updated Guidelines Aim to Advance Mesothelioma Research

ByAlex Strauss

The criteria for measuring treatment response in malignant pleural mesothelioma is being revised—again. Researchers are hopeful that the new criteria will improve the quality and value of mesothelioma clinical trials and move researchers closer to a cure. Researchers at the University of Chicago and the National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases in Australia are proposing new modifications to the “modified RECIST” criteria by which researchers currently assess the response of mesothelioma tumors. In order for mesothelioma clinical trials to be truly valuable—and have any chance of leading to a cure—researchers must be “on the same page” in how they assess the size of mesothelioma tumors and their response to treatment. Because malignant mesothelioma is so rare, there are fewer studies…