Leveraging the Pleural Space for Anticancer Therapies in Pleural Mesothelioma

Leveraging the Pleural Space for Anticancer Therapies in Pleural Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a cancer caused by asbestos. It’s deadly and spreads quickly. It usually appears 30-50 years after inhaling asbestos. Sadly, most patients survive only 18 months. Although rare, cases are growing. In 2020, over 30,000 cases were reported worldwide. This number is expected to reach 53,000 by 2040. The rise is due to ongoing asbestos use and its presence in banned areas. What is Pleural Mesothelioma? The pleural space is a thin gap filled with fluid between two pleura layers. These layers line the lungs and chest wall. This space is crucial for lung function. It helps the lungs expand and contract smoothly during breathing. However, it can also be a site for diseases like fluid build-up…

Recent Advances in Immunotherapy in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
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Recent Advances in Immunotherapy in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is rare and often has a poor outlook in cancer treatment. Immunotherapy, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors, has brought hope. It shows potential for better outcomes in mesothelioma patients. A new article in Open Respiratory Archives provides a history of recent advances in immunotherapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma patients. Understanding Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Mesothelioma starts in pleural cavity cells and comes from asbestos exposure. It has three types: epithelioid, sarcomatoid, or biphasic. They show its diversity and complexity. Treatments may use the immune system or genetic information to help boost effectiveness. Immunotherapies are used to treat mesothelioma cancer. Immunotherapy is also referred to as biological therapy, and utilizes the patient’s immune system to treat mesothelioma. These treatments typically…

Navigating Treatment Options for Pleural Mesothelioma: A Guide for Patients and Caregivers

Navigating Treatment Options for Pleural Mesothelioma: A Guide for Patients and Caregivers

ByHolly Zink

Pleural mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer often caused by asbestos exposure. Sadly, its slow onset and few treatment choices reduce survival rates. Yet, recent pharmacological research developments provide hope for better treatments. Understanding the Disease Pleural mesothelioma is aggressive and resists standard treatments. Efforts to identify treatment targets have shown limited success. Patients typically live less than 16 months after diagnosis, underlining the need for better therapies. Treatment usually involves chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. Chemotherapy combines drugs like cisplatin and pemetrexed to slow tumor growth and ease symptoms. Immunotherapy, with drugs like pembrolizumab, boosts the immune system’s fight against cancer in some patients. Meanwhile, research is ongoing on targeted therapies that block blood vessel formation and growth factor…

The Power of Immune Cells: Understanding Mesothelioma's Microenvironment

The Power of Immune Cells: Understanding Mesothelioma’s Microenvironment

ByHolly Zink

In a recent study, researchers looked at how the body’s immune system responds to pleural mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer. The published their results in Pathobiology. Researchers looked at samples from 60 pleural mesothelioma patients to study immune cells in the tumor area. They used markers to identify cell types and their impact on the disease. This study sheds light on using the immune system for improved treatments. Immune Cells and Mesothelioma Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs. It is often caused by exposure to asbestos, a harmful mineral that was used in many industries in the past. Pleural mesothelioma is rare, but it can be very aggressive and difficult to…

New Hope for Treating Pleural Mesothelioma: Breakthrough Therapies on the Horizon
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New Hope for Treating Pleural Mesothelioma: Breakthrough Therapies on the Horizon

ByHolly Zink

Pleural mesothelioma is a rare and tough cancer with a history of limited treatment options and a difficult prognosis. But recent years have brought good news for patients, as new treatments give hope to those facing this challenging condition. A Positive Shift in Treatment Since 2021, a big change has happened in how we treat pleural mesothelioma. Doctors now use immune checkpoint inhibitors as the first choice for treatment. These include nivolumab and ipilimumab. This is a big step forward for patients who once had few options for this tough cancer. Combining chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors is a good next step. But researchers are also exploring other ways to treat pleural mesothelioma. They are learning more about how this…

Promising Results: Pembrolizumab Enhances Mesothelioma Treatment
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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…

Exploring the First Case of Mesothelioma in a California Sea Lion
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Exploring the First Case of Mesothelioma in a California Sea Lion

ByHolly Zink

Researchers have reported the first known case of pleural mesothelioma in a California sea lion. Sea lions are predisposed to growing tumors in different organs. Understanding Pleural Mesothelioma Pleural mesothelioma is a rare disease that affects the lining of the lungs. It is caused by asbestos exposure. When tiny asbestos fibers are inhaled by someone, they can get stuck in the lining of the lungs and cause inflammation. This inflammation leads to the growth of tumors. The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma can be hard to identify. A person might feel shortness of breath due to fluid around the lung, chest pain, cough, and fatigue. It can often take around 40 years for pleural mesothelioma to begin. Imaging studies such as…

Exploring Cutting-Edge Treatments for Pleural Mesothelioma
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Exploring Cutting-Edge Treatments for Pleural Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

A new study looks at the current treatments available for people with mesothelioma. The authors of this overview are based in Italy at the University of Bologna. Advancements in Mesothelioma Treatment Malignant mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers internal organs. When mesothelioma grows in the lungs, it is called pleural mesothelioma. This aggressive cancer is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a toxic mineral found in nature. It can be used in manufacturing and construction materials and is illegal in many countries. Mesothelioma is a very rare cancer, and the symptoms can be like many other diseases. This makes it hard for doctors to make a diagnosis. For mesothelioma…

Cracking the Code: SPARC, the New Mesothelioma Diagnostic Marker
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New Potential Blood Biomarker for Pleural Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

A team of researchers just published a study looking at whether a gene called FGF18 can be used as a biomarker for pleural mesothelioma. The study was published in the journal Thoracic Cancer. Signs and Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma Malignant mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers many of the body’s internal organs. When it grows in the lining of the lungs, it is called pleural mesothelioma. Signs and symptoms may include shortness of breath due to fluid around the lung, chest pain, cough, and fatigue. This cancer is caused by exposure to asbestos. Conventional treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, and. The median survival with conventional treatment is little more…

empyema after mesothelioma surgery
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Surgery for Mesothelioma: Goals and Side Effects

ByHolly Zink

Residual thoracic spaces occur in one-third of patients who receive surgery for mesothelioma. This is the space left after mesothelioma disease is removed from the lung. A new study by researchers in Japan details the results of an analysis of this side effect. Pleural Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Treatment often combines surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and chest wall. Symptoms may include shortness of breath due to fluid around the lung, chest pain, cough, and fatigue. This cancer is caused by exposure to asbestos. It can often take around 40 years for pleural…