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

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…

Hemithoracic Radiotherapy for Mesothelioma
| | | |

Hemithoracic Radiotherapy for Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

A type of radiation therapy called hemithoracic radiotherapy could be safely used as part of the treatment plan for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and chest wall. This cancer is caused by exposure to asbestos. Pleural mesothelioma occurs in about 2,000 people in the United States every year. Diagnosis typically occurs in people over the age of 60, but pleural mesothelioma has occurred in people in their twenties. Surgery, Chemotherapy and Radiation A study conducted in Turkey looked at 11 patients with mesothelioma who received multimodal therapy. This type of treatment plan uses more than one type of therapy…

High-Energy Radiotherapy Treatment for Mesothelioma
|

High-Energy Radiotherapy Treatment for Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

A new Italian study found that accelerated hypofractionated radiotherapy was an effective and safe treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). The patients in this study lived longer and had a lower risk of MPM coming back. Treatment Approaches MPM is a rare cancer that is difficult to treat. It develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and chest wall. MPM is caused by exposure to asbestos. Since MPM is a rare disease, the standard therapies are limited. The treatment plan for MPM depends on a few different factors. The stage of cancer, cell type of the cancer, and the health of the patient all affect what treatments will work the best. The most common treatment approach…

The Link Between Surgery and Radiotherapy for Mesothelioma
| | |

The Link Between Surgery and Radiotherapy for Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

A study from the Journal of Clinical Oncology has reviewed the link between radiotherapy and surgery. This is exciting new research in mesothelioma treatment. The study was conducted by mesothelioma experts in Australia. Malignant mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that rarely responds to a single cancer therapy. Malignant mesothelioma is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. Usually, that happens in the workplace. Exciting New Research There is ongoing research exploring surgical options for mesothelioma. There are two common surgical procedures for mesothelioma: extrapleural pneumonectomy and pleurectomy decortication. Extrapleural pneumonectomy involves removing the lung affected by mesothelioma. Part of the diaphragm and the linings of the lung and heart are also removed. Pleurectomy decortication is a two-part surgical…

Radiotherapy Outcomes in Mesothelioma Linked to Pembrolizumab
| | |

Radiotherapy Outcomes in Mesothelioma Linked to Pembrolizumab

ByHolly Zink

Canadian researchers say radiotherapy may hold the key to improving outcomes in mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a fast-growing membrane cancer caused by asbestos. Doctors have not found a single therapy that can beat it. For most patients, a combination of treatments offer the best survival odds. Pembrolizumab plus Radiotherapy Pleural mesothelioma is a rare lung-related cancer caused by asbestos exposure. There is no cure for mesothelioma. Most mesothelioma patients have a combination of therapies. Radiation is one of the methods doctors use to help slow its spread. Outcomes in mesothelioma vary widely with the use of radiotherapy. Pembrolizumab is used in combination with chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for mesothelioma. Radiotherapy uses beams of intense energy to kill cancer cells. One…

Radiation Therapy for Mesothelioma Patients: Value and Timing
| | |

Radiation Therapy for Mesothelioma Patients: Value and Timing

ByHolly Zink

The value and safety of radiation therapy for mesothelioma patients are promising. Oncologists from the Fox Chase Cancer Center released new data on radiotherapy. What are the options for radiation therapy? What is the best timing? Who should receive it? This guide shows the role of radiotherapy in the treatment of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma Radiosensitivity and Treatment Combinations Mesothelioma tumors are radiosensitive. This means they are sensitive to X-rays and radiant energy forms. In other words, mesothelioma tumors are treatable with radiation therapy. The use of a multi-modality treatment has also shown potential for mesothelioma patients. A tri-modality treatment uses three different treatment types. The combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy is most common. Understanding Timing and Adverse Effects There are…

Sensitizer Could Improve Radiotherapy for Pleural Mesothelioma
| | |

Sensitizer Could Improve Radiotherapy for Pleural Mesothelioma

ByAlex Strauss

A chemical compound that sensitizes cancer cells to radiation could help improve radiotherapy for pleural mesothelioma. Radiotherapy uses ionizing radiation to scramble the DNA of cancer cells. This makes it harder for cells to replicate and form new tumors.  But mesothelioma cells and other hard-to-treat cancers have ways of protecting themselves against radiation-induced DNA damage. The possibility of damaging healthy cells is another limiting factor in radiotherapy for pleural mesothelioma.  Now, a Japanese study of mice shows a new compound called SQAP can enhance the damage to cancer cells from radiation. The researchers are hopeful it could help keep mesothelioma tumors in check. The Challenge of Radiotherapy for Pleural Mesothelioma Malignant pleural mesothelioma is difficult to treat. This aggressive membrane…

Adjuvant Radiotherapy May Not Lengthen Mesothelioma Survival, Study Shows
| |

Adjuvant Radiotherapy May Not Lengthen Mesothelioma Survival, Study Shows

ByAlex Strauss

Having adjuvant radiotherapy after surgery may not help mesothelioma patients live any longer according to researchers at Duke and Stanford Universities. Researchers used a database of pleural mesothelioma patients from Duke and a national registry to conduct the analysis.  They compared the outcomes of patients who had radiation after surgery (adjuvant radiotherapy) with the outcomes of those who did not.  While radiotherapy may help reduce mesothelioma symptoms for some patients, the results of the study suggest that it is unlikely to extend survival. Radiation for Mesothelioma and Its Symptoms Radiotherapy is a mainstay of cancer therapy for certain kinds of cancer. But the irregular shape and aggressive nature of mesothelioma tumors makes them less than ideal for radiation treatment.  Pleural…

Triple-Modality Therapy May Improve Mesothelioma Outcomes, Study Suggests
| | | |

Triple-Modality Therapy May Improve Mesothelioma Outcomes, Study Suggests

ByAlex Strauss

A Canadian study suggests that triple-modality therapy with radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and surgery may extend the lives of people with malignant pleural mesothelioma.  Pleural mesothelioma is an intractable cancer with a poor prognosis. It mainly affects people who have lived or worked around asbestos.  There is no cure for mesothelioma. People who have the best mesothelioma outcomes usually have a combination of treatments.  Now, scientists at Toronto General Hospital’s Research Institute say a triple-modality therapy they tested in mice might have the power to extend human lives, too. Multi-modal Mesothelioma Treatment Pleural mesothelioma is a fast-growing cancer that starts on the membrane around the lungs. Many mesothelioma patients die less than a year after diagnosis.  There is no single accepted treatment…

Radiotherapy Outcomes in Mesothelioma Linked to Metabolism
| | | |

Radiotherapy Outcomes in Mesothelioma Linked to Metabolism

ByAlex Strauss

Italian researchers say metabolic markers may hold the key to predicting radiotherapy outcomes in people with mesothelioma. Metabolism is the process by which cells produce energy. Metabolism is necessary for cancer cells to live. Mesothelioma cells metabolize faster than healthy cells.  Radiotherapy affects cancer cell metabolism. A new study shows that compounds produced during metabolism may impact radiotherapy outcomes. It suggests that a patient’s metabolic profile – or metabolome – could help doctors choose good candidates for radiation. Radical Hemithoracic Radiotherapy and Mesothelioma  Pleural mesothelioma is a rare lung-related cancer caused by asbestos exposure. There is no cure for mesothelioma. Most mesothelioma patients have a combination of therapies. Radiation is one of the methods doctors use to help slow its…