Asbestos & Mesothelioma Studies
Asbestosis, while not a cancerous condition, is serious and potentially life-threatening chronic disease that is caused by breathing in asbestos fibers. A person who has been diagnosed with asbestosis has a much higher chance of developing lung cancer or pleural mesothelioma, a fatal cancer affecting the lining of the lungs. While not all asbestosis cases…
The overall nutritional health of a patient suffering from mesothelioma can have major impact on how the patient will respond to treatment, which affects patient survival. To determine a patient’s nutritional factors on a more exact basis, researchers and scientists from Japan used a scoring system called Controlling Nutritional Status score, or CONUT. CONUT scores…
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is specifically caused by asbestos exposure. The cancer affects the lining surrounding various organs and cavities within the body called the mesothelium. Asbestos fibers, which are nearly invisible, sharp, and easily inhaled, become embedded in this soft tissue. The body is unable to break down or expel the…
The dangers of asbestos have affected thousands of residents in the small town of Libby, Montana for decades. In 1919, the town that was once known for its logging industry discovered vermiculite mines – a naturally occurring mineral that is useful for fire-proofing, wall and loft insulation, and even soil conditioning. W.R. Grace bought the…
Mesothelioma’s aggressive nature makes it difficult to treat with common cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. Scientists and researchers are constantly looking for new ways to treat mesothelioma outside of chemotherapy and radiation, such as gene therapy or immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is a novel approach and sometimes a more viable option for those suffering from…
Scientists and researchers are excited over the latest completion of a Phase II clinical trial for those suffering from mesothelioma – an incurable asbestos-caused cancer that has a median survival of only 9 to 12 months. The LUME-Meso Phase II trial for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma showed a slight increase in progression-free and overall…
Mesothelioma is an incredibly difficult cancer to treat. Its late stage diagnosis coupled with its aggressive nature leaves victims without very much time to combat this fatal cancer. There are a variety of treatment options available to those suffering from mesothelioma, even though there is no cure. Surgery Radiation Chemotherapy Intraoperative photodynamic therapy Immunotherapy Gene…
Those suffering from mesothelioma know that the prognosis is grim. The average life expectancy for someone who is recently diagnosed is only eight months. Chemotherapy is the standard treatment for mesothelioma, but in most cases, the cancer is too far advanced for chemotherapy to be effective. Surgery for mesothelioma is possible but results from surgery…
Mesothelioma is difficult to treat for a number of reasons. The long latency period before initial diagnosis means that the cancer is typically in advanced stages by the time it is discovered. A built-up resistance to common cancer treatments also makes it difficult for treatment to have a positive effect on cancer victims. This contributes…
Scientists and researchers from Merck announced an update on their findings for the Phase 1b KEYNOTE-28 study that involves the investigation of the immunotherapy treatment called KEYTRUDA ® (pembrolizumab). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and the anti-tumor activity of KEYTRUDA ® and focused on patients with small cell lung…
