The combination of pembrolizumab (Keytruda), and lenvatinib (Lenvima) demonstrated promising clinical activity with no unexpected toxicities in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), according to results from the PEMMELA study (NCT04287829) presented at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer 2022 World … [Read more...]
The silent malignant mesothelioma epidemic: a call to action
Malignant mesothelioma, recognised as a new disease in the 1950s, is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure and usually diagnosed decades after first exposure. The disease was initially restricted to asbestos workers, but diagnoses after non-occupational exposure continue to surge. Despite the acknowledgment by WHO and the International … [Read more...]
Galinpepimut-S Plus Nivolumab Extends Survival in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
The combination of galinpepimut-S and nivolumab (Opdivo) was found to extend survival in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma who were either refractory to, or who had relapsed after, at least 1 line of standard therapy, according to updated data from a phase 1 trial (NCT04040231). The median overall survival (OS), which was calculated … [Read more...]
Second Surgery for Recurrent Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma after Multimodality Treatment: A Systematic Review
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive asbestos-related tumour with poor prognosis. To date, a multimodality treatment, including chemotherapy and surgery, with or without radiotherapy, is the gold standard therapy for selected patients with epithelioid and early-stage MPM. In this setting, the goal of surgery is to achieve the … [Read more...]
Clinical-pathological characteristics and prognostic factors for malignant peritoneal mesothelioma in the elderly
Background: Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare disease characterized by atypical symptoms, difficult diagnosis, variable course and poor prognosis, and it develops mainly in elderly individuals. The authors aimed to identify the clinical-pathological characteristics, prognosis, and prognostic factors in elderly [ malignant … [Read more...]
A Case Report of Hypophosphatemia Leading to the Diagnosis of Mesothelioma
Hypophosphatemia can be commonly encountered as an electrolyte imbalance and is defined as a value less than 0.8 mmol/l (2.5 mg/dl). It can be an incidental finding, but it is not uncommon to see it presenting with varied symptoms. It is good to have a clear diagnostic approach to this so adequate treatment can be instated. We present a … [Read more...]
J&J, 2-stepping through talc litigation, faces fresh claims it hid workers’ asbestos exposure
Johnson & Johnson’s yearslong talc litigation saga has taken an unexpected turn. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Michael Kaplan this week denied J&J’s bid to block a lawsuit [ in the talc litigation ] accusing the company of hiding evidence that its industrial talc operations exposed workers to asbestos, Bloomberg first reported. Decades back, … [Read more...]
CDC: Mesothelioma Deaths Up Among Women
While use of asbestos has gone down in the U.S., deaths from mesothelioma still increased 25% among women over the last two decades, researchers found. From 1999 to 2020, mesothelioma deaths among women rose significantly from 489 to 614, though the age-adjusted death rate per 1 million women fell from 4.83 to 4.15, reported Jacek Mazurek, MD, … [Read more...]
Unexplained Pleural Effusion Leads to the Revelation of a Malignant Mesothelioma: A Case Report
Abstract: Malignant mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that usually affects subjects with prior asbestos exposure, a major risk factor that has been widely known as carcinogenic, and its use is now controlled if not banned in many areas of the world. Malignant mesothelioma originates from mesothelial surface cells covering the serous … [Read more...]
Pericardial Mesothelioma Presenting as Constrictive Pericarditis
Abstract: This case report presents a 60-year-old gentleman with a significant smoking history and possible asbestos exposure who was referred to the emergency department for atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular rate and symptoms of heart failure. Labs showed normal brain natriuretic peptide and troponin I. His echocardiography finding … [Read more...]