Immune Checkpoints and Therapies in Mesothelioma
Key takeaways: Besides chemotherapy and surgery, there are numerous diagnostic and treatmentoptions for mesothelioma that originate in the immune system. Mesothelioma has certainimmune checkpoints, like ramped up or dampened immune functions, that provide a means tointercept the cancer and improve prognosis outcomes. Contextual and patient-uniquecombinations of immune checkpoints and chemotherapy are currently being researched. What […]
Pemetrexed to Treat Mesothelioma
Key takeaways: When administered in conjunction with cisplatin, pemetrexed is an effectivedrug to treat mesothelioma when surgery or other chemotherapeutic options are not available. Itworks by mimicking the biological structure of folic acid, which is critical for the rapidproliferation of cells (which is characteristic of mesothelioma and other cancers). Whenpemetrexed binds to folic acid receptors, […]
Data on Mesothelioma Rates in the US
Cancer can affect anyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, etc. That being the case, some people are more susceptible to some cancers than others. Those who have been exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer that usually affects the pleura, or the lining of the lungs. […]
New Mesothelioma Treatments
In recent years, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved new therapeutic techniques for new mesothelioma treatments. Malignant pleural mesothelioma has been difficult to treat and the lack of positive results from treatment has made research imperative. Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most common type of mesothelioma, which begins in the lining of […]
How a National Mesothelioma Registry Would be Beneficial for the US
Since mesothelioma is such a rare form of cancer, it is difficult to get the proper statistics on the number of cases there are per year. There are other countries, including Italy, that have a National Registry for mesothelioma, and it would be useful for the United States to have one as well, as they […]
Asbestos and Keeping Safe
Asbestos is the name given to a group of naturally occurring silicate materials. In the past, asbestos was attractive because of its heat resistance, tensile strength and flexibility. Because of its attractiveness, it has been used in a variety of different products, including insulation materials, building materials, and brakes and clutches for automobiles. These are […]
Mesothelioma and Women
A rare and aggressive form of cancer, there are about 3,000 cases of mesothelioma documented each year in the United States. Most cases of mesothelioma come from occupational asbestos exposure in certain professions such as construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, plumbing, carpentry and more. Most cases of mesothelioma occur in men as they were predominantly in these […]
How to Manage Advanced Pleural Mesothelioma
Before 2020, the normal standard of treatment in the first line setting for those with pleural mesothelioma was chemotherapy, with a combination of platinum and pemetrexed. The CheckMate 743 trial showed promising results for another form of treatment in 2020, which was then approved for use. This treatment involved a multimodality approach by combining immunotherapy […]
The PrE0505 Study
For many years, the only approved systemic therapy for treating malignant pleural mesothelioma was cisplatin and pemetrexed combination therapy. The phase 2 DREAM study which involves durvalumab with chemotherapy, ended up resulting in a progression-free survival at six months. Additionally, combining the anti-PD-1 antibody nivolumab with the anti-CTLA-4 antibody ipilimumab improved survival for patients who […]
Mesothelioma – Testing, Treatment and Processes
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a thoracic malignancy and the most common form of mesothelioma. Patients may come in to see a doctor with chest pain and breathlessness related to a pleural effusion, which is a pathologic collection of fluid between the visceral and parietal pleura in the thoracic cavity. Testing There are a variety […]
Understanding Metastatic Mesothelioma
Metastatic mesothelioma is a condition where malignant cells from a primary tumor in the lining of the lungs or abdomen spread to other parts of the body. This spread, known as metastasis, typically occurs through the lymph nodes and is influenced by factors such as the stage of the cancer, cell type, and treatment. Mesothelioma […]
What are Pleural Effusions? Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
Pleural effusions are a buildup of fluid in the lining of the lung, leading to chest pain, coughing, difficulty breathing and high risk of collapsed lung. This is sometimes called “water on the lungs.” In the body, the pleura are thin membranes that line the lungs. It is normal for a small amount of fluid […]
Navigating the Intricacies of Asbestos Abatement
Asbestos abatement, a process that encompasses both the identification and removal of asbestos-containing materials, has grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry. This is largely due to the potential health risks associated with asbestos exposure. Asbestos, a once-popular construction material, can be found in numerous parts of homes and buildings, such as paint, flooring, roofing, tiles, and […]
The Valley Health System and Treating Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma
The Valley Health System is headquartered in Paramus, New Jersey but has many different locations depending on the type of treatment needed. The mission of the Valley Health System is, “Enhancing lives by healing, caring and inspiring wellness” and their values are to serve and care. The Valley Health System treats patients with lung cancer […]
Mesothelioma Through Secondary Exposure
Mesothelioma, an extremely rare form of cancer, affects approximately 3,000 in the US annually. Although rare, it is extremely aggressive. The sole cause of mesothelioma is through asbestos exposure. Asbestos, a naturally occurring silicate material is extremely harmful to breathe in and can cause diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Most mesothelioma cases […]
Mesothelioma Care at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, in affiliation with the Abramson Cancer Center, has established a remarkable reputation for its exemplary care for mesothelioma patients. Their dedicated Mesothelioma and Pleural Program ensures high-quality, comprehensive treatment options for their patients. The treatment program, which includes the distinguished Harron Lung Center, is handled by a collaborative team of medical […]
Auto Mechanics and Asbestos Exposure and Ways to Prevent Exposure
Auto mechanics and virtually anyone who works on cars, even hobbyists, could have been exposed to asbestos, a naturally occurring silicate material that is extremely harmful to inhale. These people could still be at risk of exposure today. Breathing in asbestos can cause asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma. Auto Mechanics and Asbestos Exposure – Sources […]
Mesothelioma Treatment at the Fox Chase Cancer Center
Fox Chase Cancer Center was founded in 1904. In 2012, Fox Chase Cancer Center became a part of the Temple University Health System. There are a multitude of doctors there treating many different ailments. Those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma have the option to be treated at the Center. Mesothelioma is an extremely rare […]
Westinghouse Electric and Asbestos Use
Westinghouse Electric Corporation was founded in 1886 in Pennsylvania. During its time Westinghouse Electric used a lot of asbestos in electrical products and equipment such as welding rods, turbines, light bulbs and more. Westinghouse became an extremely popular company in the United States. In fact, the company made the first jet engine that was designed […]
Asbestos Exposure in the Military
Throughout the 20th century, asbestos usage was significantly amplified across all military branches, with a notable increase in the Army. Asbestos, a naturally abundant and affordable mineral, was highly regarded for its robustness and heat resistance. A multitude of construction materials that contained asbestos were employed for erecting military facilities where army personnel were stationed, […]
