Recent News
Phase II Study of Six Hours Low Dose Gemcitabine Plus Cisplatin in the Treatment for Advanced Pleural Mesothelioma
Purpose
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare disease, but with a very high mortality. MPM is frequently found in advanced stages. The standard treatment in advanced pleural mesothelioma is cisplatin-based chemotherapy combined with pemetrexed/raltitrexed (phase III studies showed its benefit in response and overall survival compared with cisplatin alone). There are other active drugs such as liposomal doxorubicin and gemcitabine. Unfortunately, cost is an important factor to consider in our population and standard treatments are very expensive. Gemcitabine 250 mg infused over 6 hrs in combination with cisplatin, compared to the standard administration of gemcitabine 1250 mg infusion of 30 minutes in NSCLC, combined with cisplatin showed 75 mg shown in a study to be equally effective in treating cancer non-small cell lung. A phase II study using this strategy for advanced MPM has shown promising results. Gemcitabine administered in low dose in a six hour infusion may reduce cost of treatment without altering the effectiveness.
Men jailed for knowingly exposing teens to asbestos
Three men in California faced a choice- properly remove asbestos in their building or intentionally deceive workers to incorrectly complete the task for them. Rather than follow the right path…
Tenth Annual Asbestos Awareness Conference begins today
An annual conference is held in Washington, D.C., as part of Global Asbestos Awareness Week, featuring medical professionals, survivors and advocates sharing about advancements and personal struggles. For 10 years,…
Cisplatin, Pemetrexed, and Imatinib Mesylate in Malignant Mesothelioma
Purpose
Determine the highest tolerable dose of drug combination (cisplatin, pemetrexed [Alimta®], and imatinib mesylate [Gleevec®]) that can be given to patients with unresectable or metastatic malignant mesothelioma.
Asbestos organization fights to ban the fibrous carcinogen
Ten years ago, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) expanded their reach by making the first week of April National Asbestos Awareness Week. Soon after, other countries suffering from the…
New research suggests earlier mesothelioma diagnosis is a possibility
Those familiar with the asbestos-caused cancer mesothelioma are well aware the disease takes decades to develop and by the time it’s recognized, it’s too late for recovery. When symptoms finally…
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization celebrates tenth annual week
Ten years ago, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) expanded their reach by making the first week of April National Asbestos Awareness Week. Soon after, other countries suffering from the…
New study suggests breast cancer drug may shrink mesothelioma tumors
After new evidence surfaced suggesting the enzyme aromatase is associated with malignant mesothelioma, Italian scientists began testing breast cancer drug Aromasin (exemestane) on mice and mesothelioma cells. Designed to inhibit…
Placebo Controlled Study of VS-6063 in Subjects With Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (COMMAND)
Purpose: This study is a Phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study of defactinib (VS-6063) in subjects with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) who have not progressed (confirmed partial response or stable disease) following ≥ 4 cycles of treatment with pemetrexed/cisplatin or pemetrexed/carboplatin. Prior to entry and randomization to the study, each subject must have tumor Merlin status(high or low) established by immunohistochemistry performed at a central laboratory. Subjects will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive oral VS-6063 400 mg twice per day, or matched placebo. Randomization will be stratified by tumor Merlin status (high versus low). Progression will be assessed both locally and by central review using the Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) Version 1.1. Subjects will continue to receive treatment until disease progression or other discontinuation criteria are met. Following documentation of nonfatal disease progression, all subjects will be followed for overall survival by telephone contact every 2 months until end of life or the close of the study.
Alimta remains best treatment for victims of malignant pleural mesothelioma
For those with inoperable malignant pleural mesothelioma, Alimta (permetrexed) combined with cisplatin remains the top treatment. Japanese researchers recently analyzed the results of 30 patients taking either Gemzar or the…
