Mesothelioma News
Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer caused by asbestos, is steadily growing in numbers of cases diagnosed. Asbestos was used heavily between the years of 1940 and 1980 in manufacturing and building processes. Mesothelioma usually does not appear until 15 to 50 years after the initial exposure to asbestos. Therefore, it's still a rather new disease, in terms of what we know about it, how to treat it, and what the life expectancy rate is.
There are many different research efforts being undertaken right now, and news about the different aspects of mesothelioma is available on a regular basis.
Mesothelioma In the News
Vaccine Scandal Revives Cancer Fear - July 7, 2004
A polio vaccine that may have had the simian virus 40, or SM40, could possibly have been administered to millions of people over the past 44 years. SM40 has speculatively been linked to mesothelioma cancer.
New Scientist
(http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99996116)
Eli Lilly Given Positive Opinion For Premextred - June 24, 2004
Eli Lilly and Company have announced that the European Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) issued a positive opinion regarding the use of their drug pemextred (brand name Alimta) for treatment in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.
PR Newswire
(http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=125543)
Celebrex Hits Mesothelioma, In Lab Studies - May 8, 2004
Celebrex, a COX-2 inhibitor that is usually prescribed for arthritis, has shown an effect on mice who have malignant mesothelioma. Celebrex (celecoxib) has shown to inhibit mesothelioma cells while not affecting the growth of normal mesothelial cells along the lung lining.
Mesothelioma Reporter (Reuters)
(http://www.mesotheliomareporter.org/2004/05/celebrex_hits_m.html)
Senate Considers Asbestos Fund - April 19, 2004
Republican Senators are attempting to push a bill through that gives immunity to companies from being sued related to asbestos exposure. Instead, the bill proposes setting up an asbestos fund to supply people who suffer from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases with government money.
CBS News
(http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/04/19/health/main612537.shtml)
Group Launches Asbestos-Cancer Study
Karmanos Cancer Center is launching a comprehensive medical program to study the effects of asbestos-related cancers linked with contaminated vermiculite, a mineral used in insulation ...
USA Today
(http://www.usatoday.com/news/science/2004-04-05-asbestos-study_x.htm)
FDA Approves Alimta-Cisplatin Combination for Treatment of Asbestos-Related Cancer - February 5, 2004
The first and only drug regimen proven to help patients with an asbestos-related cancer live longer was approved today by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration �
Eli Lilly
(http://newsroom.lilly.com/news/Product/2004-02-05_alimta_usapproval.html)
First-Ever Blood Test for Mesothelioma Being Developed - November 13, 2003
Researchers at the Pacific Northwest Research Institute (PNRI) have reported the development of a blood test for mesothelioma, a highly aggressive lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure ...
PNRI
(http://www.pnri.org/news/2003/mesotest/)
FDG-PET May Have Prognostic Value in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma - June 4, 2003
A standardized uptake value (SUV) of more than 4 based on fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography may help prognosticate the survival rate of people with malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Medscape
(http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/456668)
Next Era of Cancer Therapy Aims to Separate Cancer From Blood Supply - May 16, 2003
Cancer Center focuses on using blood vessels to help fight and resist cancer with anti-angiogenic drugs.
University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
(http://www.globaltechnoscan.com/21stMay-27thMay03/anti_angiogenesis.htm)
ONCONASE Postulated To Act As "Trojan Horse" Inside Tumor Cells
"ONCONASE may act as a 'Trojan Horse' inside tumor cells," stated, Dr. Darzynkiewicz, "continuously generating small RNAs, some of which are able to modulate the pattern of translation that may result in suppression of tumor cell proliferation and cell death."
Alfacell
(http://www.alfacell.com/012903.html)
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