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...]
Abemaciclib for Previously Treated Patients With p16ink4A-Deficient Mesothelioma
As reported in The Lancet Oncology by Dean A. Fennell, FRCP, and colleagues, a phase II trial (MiST2) showed the activity of [ Verzenio (abemaciclib) ] in previously treated patients with p16ink4A-deficient malignant mesothelioma. As stated by the investigators, “Genetically stratified therapy for malignant mesothelioma is unavailable. … [Read more...]
EPA rule would finally ban asbestos, carcinogen still in use
The Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday proposed a rule to finally ban asbestos, a carcinogen that is still used in some chlorine bleach, brake pads and other products and kills thousands of Americans every year. The proposal marks a major expansion of EPA regulation under a landmark 2016 law that overhauled rules governing tens of … [Read more...]
Early Clinical Activity With CDK4/6 Inhibitor in Pretreated Mesothelioma
[Verzenio (abemaciclib), a drug that has proven effective in breast cancer,] showed preliminary activity in its first-ever clinical trial in mesothelioma. The cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor [Verzenio (abemaciclib)] achieved disease control at 12 weeks in 14 of 26 patients with progressive mesothelioma associated with a CDKN2A … [Read more...]
Biphasic Peritoneal Mesothelioma: A Lethal Clinical Entity
Abstract: Mesotheliomas are a rare malignancy of the serosal membrane. Mainly it affects the pleural surfaces followed by the second most common location, “peritoneum.” The disease follows an aggressive pattern of spread, and by the time the diagnosis is established, the condition significantly spreads to distant locations. Diagnosis of malignant … [Read more...]
First-line nivolumab plus ipilimumab versus chemotherapy in patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma: 3-year outcomes from CheckMate 743
Background: In the phase 3 CheckMate 743 study (NCT02899299), first-line nivolumab plus ipilimumab significantly improved overall survival (OS) versus chemotherapy in patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma [(unresectable MPM)]. We report updated data with 3-year minimum follow-up. Patients and methods: Adults with previously … [Read more...]
Incidence, treatment and survival of malignant pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma: a population-based study
Introduction: Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive cancer that primarily arises from the pleura (MPM) or peritoneum (MPeM), mostly due to asbestos exposure. This study reviewed the Dutch population-based incidence, treatment and survival since the national ban on asbestos in 1993. Materials and methods: Patients with MPM or MPeM … [Read more...]
Malignant pleural mesothelioma patients’ experience by gender: findings from a cross-sectional UK-national questionnaire
OBJECTIVES: Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive malignancy of mesothelial surfaces, most commonly those of the pleura. The aim of this study was to understand, using a national questionnaire, the gendered care experiences of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Patients were asked about their experience of the diagnostic process, … [Read more...]