A state appeals court reinstated a lawsuit Tuesday by the widow of a Solano County man who died of cancer after using Johnson & Johnson talcum powder for most of his life. A judge had dismissed the suit by Douglas Strobel and his wife, Jo Ann Strobel, saying their medical witnesses had no firsthand evidence that the talcum in J&J’s Baby … [Read more...]
Understanding the new therapeutic options for mesothelioma
Since the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved pemetrexed plus cisplatin for first-line treatment of mesothelioma in 2004, there has been a dearth of additional treatment options for this disease. Despite substantial effort, no other phase 3 study achieved a positive outcome for another 12 years, until the MAPS trial showed that the … [Read more...]
Surgery After Radiotherapy May Improve Outcomes in Patients with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
A particular surgery performed following the completion of radiotherapy treatment among a group of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma was associated with improved outcomes including overall survival, according to study results recently published in Lancet Oncology. “Different treatment strategies have been tried (for malignant pleural … [Read more...]
Tongue: the unusual site in malignant pleural mesothelioma
Malignant mesotheliomas (MMs) are malignancies of the mesothelium, with primary deposits originating in the pleura, peritoneum, pericardium and the tunica vaginalis (ie, testicular). Metastatic spread is commonly reported to affect the liver, adrenal glands, kidney and contralateral lung (in cases of malignant pleural mesothelioma). Metastases to … [Read more...]
Court upholds award to family of worker who died of asbestos exposure
The South Carolina Supreme Court [in August 2021] upheld a $16 million jury award to the family of a maintenance worker at a polyester fiber plant who died following years of asbestos exposure. Hystron Fibers Inc., owned by defendant CNA Holdings, hired Daniel Construction Co. in 1965 to build a plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina. When the … [Read more...]
Comparative effectiveness of second-line immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy versus chemotherapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma
Objectives: Second-line immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) was recently shown to have a survival advantage over placebo in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), but the survival comparison to chemotherapy in patients with MPM receiving routine clinical care is unknown. Our objective was to examine the effectiveness of second-line [ immune … [Read more...]
Neoadjuvant pemetrexed plus cisplatin followed by pleurectomy for malignant pleural mesothelioma.
PURPOSE: Despite becoming the preferred surgical technique for malignant pleural mesothelioma, pleurectomy/decortication has received few prospective clinical trials. Therefore, the Japan Mesothelioma Interest Group conducted a prospective multi-institutional study to evaluate the feasibility of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by … [Read more...]
Drug Combo Promising in Rare Mesothelioma
A combination of atezolizumab (Tecentriq) and bevacizumab appeared effective and safe in patients with advanced malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, according to results from a small single-arm trial. The combination achieved an objective response rate (ORR) of 40% in patients who had progressed on or were resistant to prior platinum-pemetrexed … [Read more...]
A Case of Pulmonary Embolism with Sarcomatoid Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma with Long-Term Pleural Effusion
Background: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a highly aggressive tumor that originates from pleural mesothelial cells. In recent years, with the development of asbestos-related industries and the increase in air pollution, its incidence has been increased. The incidence of pulmonary embolism combined with sarcomatoid MPM is very low and the … [Read more...]
Osteopontin, GLUT1 and Ki-67 expression in malignant peritoneal mesothelioma: prognostic implications
Background: Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is the most common primary peritoneal neoplasm. The only universally recognised pathological prognostic factor is histopathological subtype. Prognostic markers based on patient features and clinical stages have been disappointing. Aims: To assess the prognostic role of several clinicopathological … [Read more...]