The identification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath is a promising opportunity for noninvasive detection and prediction of treatment outcomes in patients with mesothelioma, according to data from a pilot study presented at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer 2023 World Conference on Lung Cancer, held … [Read more...]
Study Questions Use of Aggressive Surgery in Early Mesothelioma
Extended pleurectomy/decortication combined with platinum and pemetrexed chemotherapy was associated with worse outcomes in patients with resectable mesothelioma compared with chemotherapy alone, according to a randomized trial. "As a surgeon, you have no idea how much it pains me to conclude that extended pleurectomy/decortication -- an … [Read more...]
Feladilimab by GSK for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Likelihood of Approval
[Feladilimab] is under development [by the pharmaceutical company GSK] for the treatment of [malignant pleural mesothelioma], advanced solid tumors including non-small cell lung cancer, squamous non-small cell lung cancer, bladder cancer, cervical cancer, esophageal, urothelial cancer, clear renal cell carcinoma, head and neck cancer squamous cell … [Read more...]
Occupational exposure to cosmetic talc and mesothelioma in barbers, hairdressers, and cosmetologists: A systematic review of the epidemiology
Inhalation exposure to cosmetic talc has generated much scientific debate regarding its potential as a risk factor for mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal cancer. Barbers, hairdressers, and cosmetologists have regularly used cosmetic talc-containing products, but the collective epidemiological evidence for mesothelioma in these occupations has yet to … [Read more...]
Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) Presenting as Hydropneumothorax
An 86-year-old man presented with bilateral lower limb edema and was found to have hydropneumothorax on chest radiography. CT revealed a substantial pleural effusion and plaques. The patient had a history of working in a stone workshop, but the extent of asbestos exposure remained unknown. Thoracic drainage and subsequent thoracoscopic surgery … [Read more...]
Georgia-Pacific Is Litigation-Protected After Unit’s Bankruptcy
Georgia-Pacific LLC can avoid tort lawsuits tied to certain products while its affiliate, Bestwall LLC, seeks to resolve those claims in bankruptcy, the Fourth Circuit ruled. The US Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of North Carolina, which is overseeing Bestwall’s Chapter 11 case, had “related to” jurisdiction to issue a preliminary … [Read more...]
Manufactured doubt and the EPA 2020 chrysotile asbestos risk assessment
While all forms of asbestos have been determined to be carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as well as other authoritative bodies, the relative carcinogenic potency of chrysotile continues to be argued, largely in the context of toxic tort litigation. Relatively few epidemiologic studies have investigated … [Read more...]
Merck reports positive data from malignant pleural mesothelioma trial
Merck and the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) have reported positive data from the Phase II/III CCTG IND.227/KEYNOTE-483 trial of Keytruda, along with chemotherapy, as first-line treatment for advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma patients. The open-label, randomised Phase II/III trial has been designed for assessing the combination of … [Read more...]
Does the Presence of Asbestos-Containing Materials in Buildings Post-construction and Before Demolition Have an Impact on the Exposure to Occupants in Non-occupational Settings?
Abstract This narrative review aims to determine if asbestos-containing materials in buildings pose a hazard to building occupants in non-occupational settings. This paper is limited to the post-construction and pre-demolition stages of a building. The researchers selected 19 studies from the 126 studies screened, concerning exposure to asbestos … [Read more...]
Incidence of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Decreased in the United States During 2004 to 2019
Despite a rising global incidence, long-term data reveal the U.S. [ incidence rate of pleural mesothelioma ] has decreased and overall survival for patients with mesothelioma is improving, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the European Lung Cancer Congress, held from March 29 to April 1 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Mohamed … [Read more...]