Category Archives: Meso Cancer

District Council 16 Aim to Cure Mesothelioma Clayshoot

October 8, 2018

Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America MesoRFA.org
Speaking Founding Board Member and Chief Financial Officer Jerry Neil Paul tells sponsors and supporters where their hard earned donations are going and how they are helping to develop new treatment options for mesothelioma.

The Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America would like to thank the Southern California Pipetrades District Council 16 for organizing another amazing event and rounding out our 2018 fundraising season! Business Manager Mike Layton and Director of Organizing John Ferruccio have done an outstanding job in making this event what it has become, growing every year in popularity with more participants and supporters. This year the event brought in over $50,000 and as always, 100% of the net proceeds of the event will go directly to mesothelioma research!

Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America MesoRFA.orgSouthern California District Council 16 Organizer John Ferruccio thanks sponsors for their continued support before starting the alwys popular raffle. We cannot thank John enough for everything he does for the Foundation and growing the events to what they have become.

This year we returned to the Moore ‘N Moore Sporting Clays in the San Fernando Valley, CA, despite a fire completely destroying the facility in 2017. Moore ‘N Moore did a fantastic job in getting their operation back up and running and hosting the event, hats off to Cory Moore and his staff. Participating in the event on behalf of the Foundation were Board Member Jerry Neil Paul, Assistant Executive Director Shane Rucker, Medical Advisory Committee Member Jonathan Paul and Attorney Josh Paul, who all had a great time at the event. We all spent a relaxing day in the canyons of the Angeles National Forest, taking a shot at breaking sporting clays, before gathering for a delicious lunch.

Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America MesoRFA.org Executive Director Elizabeth Ann Paul thanks event sponsors and everyone who came out to Aim to Cure Mesothelioma before giving everyone a brief history of how the Foundation was formed in 2001 and how far we have come since then.

Supporters heard where and how their generous donations would be used in helping to find better treatment options for this brutal disease. DC16 Organizer John Ferruccio began by thanking those who come out to support the events, as well as those who volunteer their time. Elizabeth and Jerry Paul spoke on behalf of the Foundation, thanking sponsors who continue to support the cause and have been instrumental in the success of the event as well as in the development of new treatments. Jerry Paul highlighted one of the successes with the immunotherapy treatment PD-1 antibody being used in combination with EphB-4 and the promise shown in the laboratory.

Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America MesoRFA.org Assistant Executive Director Shane Rucker and Southern California District Council 16 Business Manager Mike Layton before heading out on the course. Thank you Mike for your leadership and dedication to this noble cause.

The Foundation would like to personally thank all of those who organized and supported this year’s event. Without the support of people such as DC16 Organizer John Ferruccio and DC 16 Business Manager Mike Layton, this event and the great turnout would not be possible. They have done a fantastic job, year after year, and we cannot be more proud of working with them. THANK YOU !!!

16th Annual Golf Invitational by the Southern California Pipetrades District Coucil 16

July 16, 2018

Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America MesoRFA.org
Speaking Executive Director Elizabeth Ann Paul and Board Member Jerry Paul thanking all of the event planners, participants and supporters for making the event a success year after year. We cannot thank you all enough!

Everyone at the Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America would like to congratulate the Southern California Pipetrades District Council 16 for organizing an amazing event! We saw a huge turnout for the 16th Annual Golf Invitational, with a full field of 144 golfers and supporters, coming together for this great cause. Together we generated over $100,000 for mesothelioma research! As always, 100 % of the donations received will go directly toward research into clinical trials and treatment options for mesothelioma. Year after year, the organizers at District Council 16 have done an amazing job planning and promoting this event year and we cannot thank them enough for the years of support and dedication. THANK YOU!

Pipefitters Union NewsChairman of the Medical Advisory Committee Dr. Parkash Gill with UA Local 582 Steamfitter and a longtime supporter of the Foundation, Bob Modica.

Participating in the event on behalf of the Foundation was Executive Director Elizabeth Ann Paul, Board Member Jerry Neil Paul, Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, Dr. Parkash Gill, and Assistant Executive Director, Shane Rucker. After a great day of golf, Jerry and Elizabeth Paul spoke together, thanking everyone for supporting the event year after year, and highlighting the developments made at USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Parkash Gill, Chairman of the Foundation’s Medical Advisory Committee then highlighted the use of immunotherapy treatment PD-1 antibody in combination with EphB-4 and the successes shown in the laboratory. Dr. Gill added that there has been several recent research publications in collaboration with doctors affiliated with UC Davis and University of Chicago regarding EphB-4!

Pipefitters Union NewsSouthern California District 16 Organizer John Ferruccio has been instrumental in the planning and success of the Golf Invitational benefiting mesothelioma research.
Pipefitters Union News
Board Member Jerry Paul with the newest member of the Foundation’s Medical Advisory Committee, Jonathan Paul.

Roger Hamilton Memorial Golf Invitational

June 25, 2018

Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America MesoRFA.org
Heat & frost Insulators Local 16 Business Manager Mel Brashears and the Foundation’s very own Elizabeth and Jerry Neil Paul prepare for the day’s festivities.

On June 25, 2018, the Roger Hamilton Memorial Golf Invitational returned for its 16th presentation to the Napa Valley Country Club generating funds for mesothelioma cancer research and clinical trials that will lead to better treatment options. This year’s event saw a turnout of 140 golfers and generated approximately $65,000! As always, 100% of the funds generated will go toward supporting Dr. Parkash Gill’s research at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America MesoRFA.org
Local 16 Business Manager Mel Brashears and International Vice President Doug Gamble(center). We cannot thank you and your team at Local 16 for putting on a great event and supporting this great cause.

The Roger Hamilton Event would not be possible without the continued support of Doug Gamble and Mel Breshears of the Heat and Frost Insulators. For the third year, Gamble, the International Vice President, and Breshears, the Business Manager of Local 16, have planned and hosted the event. We thank them both as they have taken it upon themselves to ensure the continuation of the event and the honoring of Roger Hamilton’s memory. To date, the Roger Hamilton Memorial Golf Invitational has raised approximately 1.7 million dollars for mesothelioma research! For the continued success, we owe our gratitude to the Western States Conference Heat and Frost Insulators, the Local 16 Heat and Frost Insulators, as well as all of the building trades groups and vendors who continue to support the battle to defeat mesothelioma cancer.

Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America MesoRFA.org
Chairman of the Foundation’s Medical Advisory Committee, Dr. Parkash Gill, speaks to guests highlighting the great promise EPh-B4 and PD-1 have shown in studies.

After a great round of golf, supporters reconvened in the clubhouse for drinks, dinner, and learn how their donations are being used. Doug Gamble and Mel Breshears were the first to speak, thanking both the sponsors for their support and the volunteers for their roles in making the event a success. Elizabeth Paul, Executive Director of the Foundation informed the sponsors about the history of the Foundation, pointing out its critical help in the development of better treatment options for mesothelioma. Dr. Parkash Gill, Chairman of the Foundation’s Medical Advisory Committee then highlighted the use of immunotherapy treatment PD-1 antibody in combination with EphB-4 and the successes shown in the laboratory. Dr. Gill added that there have been several recent research publications in collaboration with doctors affiliated with UC Davis and University of Chicago regarding EphB-4! To close, the two acknowledged the continual support from the staff and family of the Local 16 Heat and Frost Insulators, and for their role in assuming the direction of the event.

Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America MesoRFA.org
Jerry Neil Paul and Local 16’s Mark Plubell having fun together before a great round on the course.

An event of this magnitude takes too many people to thank, but certain individuals played a pivotal role in ensuring its success. To Committee Chairman Doug Gamble, Co-Chair Mel Breshears, Stan Danielson, Bill Hodges, Mark Plubell, Ben Espinoza, Chris Greaney, Fortino Curiel, China Soto, Geoff Millar, Alan Pierce, Jerry and Elizabeth Paul, and Shane Rucker: we wish to express our greatest appreciation. Without your efforts and energy this event would not have been possible. Your enduring support guarantees continued research into mesothelioma. With sustained effort, a cure will hopefully be found!

Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America MesoRFA.org
The Foundation’s Executive Director, Elizabeth Ann Paul, Founding Board Members, Jerry Neil Paul and Jim Kellogg, and Assistant Executive Director, Shane Rucker represent the Foundation at the Roger Hamilton Memorial Golf Tournament.

California State Pipes Trade: Aim to Cure Mesothelioma

June 8, 2018

Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America MesoRFA.org
Jim and Jerry-Jim Kellogg and Jerry Neil Paul thank supporters and participants who come out year after year to support this great cause. We had a great turnout with over 160 shooters!

The June 2018 “Aim to Cure” event hosted by the California State Pipes trade along with Foundation Board Member and International Pipes trade Representative Jim Kellogg (Retired) was successful in netting over $70,000 for mesothelioma research!

Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America MesoRFA.org
Jerry Shane Local 16-Jerry Paul and Shane Rucker with Local 16 Heat and Frost Insulators.

This year’s Aim to Cure event saw a beautiful day and a great turn out of participants to support this great cause. We had a record number of donors supporting the event and witnessed over 160 shooters come out and Aim to Cure Mesothelioma! We returned to the Birdslanding Hunting Preserve and Sporting Clay facility in Birdslanding, California which always provides a great venue for the event. Representing the Foundation were Board Members, Jim Kellogg and Jerry Neil Paul and Assistant Executive Director, Shane Rucker.

Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America MesoRFA.org
California Pipes trade Aim To Cure Mesothelioma 1st Place-Operating Engineers, Bran Eubanks, Steve Lewis, Al Sousa and Greg Gassaway take the victory again. Amazing shooting guys!

After making their way through the course, supporters and participants joined for lunch and the always popular raffle. Jim Kellogg kicked off the festivities by thanking everyone in attendance and spoke about the importance of staying involved. Jim then passed the mic to the Foundations Founding Board Member, Jerry Neil Paul, who talked about the advances being made and our hopes for the future. Under the leadership of Dr. Parkash Gill at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, with the help of the National Cancer Institute, the combination of immunotherapy treatment PD1 antibody will be used with Dr. Gill’s treatment EphB-4. With the support of participants in events such as “Aim to Cure” advances in mesothelioma treatment options will become a reality.

Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America MesoRFA.org
California Pipes trade Aim To Cure Mesothelioma 2nd Place-TNT Industrial Contractors, John Twist, Scott Luke, Brad Ariola and Jerry Martin with a great showing of this year’s event, taking home 2nd place.

As always, 100% of the money raised during the “Aim to Cure” events will go towards mesothelioma cancer research. With these sizable donations we can all be assured that Dr. Gill’s research at USC/ Norris Comprehensive Medical Center will move in the right direction. Thank you to all who participated and Jim Kellogg for putting together a fantastic event!

Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America MesoRFA.org
California Pipes trade Aim To Cure Mesothelioma 3rd Place-Greg Mitchell, Mark Mitchell, Marcus Reeves and Chuck Scandyln put together a great team of individual sponsors who are always out supporting the great cause. Thank you all!

2017 Stop-Cancer! Cure World Lung Cancer Day

Dear Cancer Research Supporter:

Through out the year, each and every year, the world comes together to recognize and fight cancer!

This is a chance to raise worldly awareness; encourage cancer cure education; and promote among our community the research for a cure to the deadly disease called Mesothelioma Cancer.

Hi! I’m Dr. Parkash Gill, professor of Medicine and Pathology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC; head of the tumor and vascular biology laboratory at the University of Southern California; the Leader of the Translational and Clinical Sciences Program at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the Ezalow Family Chair in Cancer Therapeutics.

My focus, and that of the research team with me, is on the future of mesothelioma cancer care — and I’m fortunate enough to benefit from funds provided by the Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America. Their funds help me, and the young scientists working with me, to explore promising new approaches and technologies to treat mesothelioma cancer.

My work is in the emerging field called: Targeted Cancer Therapy (TCT). Targeted therapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs, however, it is different from traditional chemotherapy. The drugs known as targeted therapy help stop cancer from growing and spreading. They work by targeting specific genes or proteins. These genes and proteins are found in cancer cells or in cells related to cancer growth, like blood vessel cells.

My hope is that Trials for TCT research will be a standard part of the options offered on every mesothelioma cancer patient’s treatment plan. Certified clinicians will use TCT models to plan the best care, and select the most effective drug treatment for each person’s individual disease, translating to fewer side-effects upon the patient; the patient spends less time in treatment; and more patients have better results.

My research team and I are looking forward to where our studies take us, thanks to the extraordinary funding and support from Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America. If you would like to discover more about Targeted Cancer Therapy and the hope it holds for the future of mesothelioma cancer care, please check out our World Cancer Day page at www.MesoRFA.org and use the form to contact us!

Best regards,

Dr. Parkash Gill, Oncologist

Oncologists, Genetic Testing and How To Target Cancer Tumors

Cancer Research is going in an entirely new direction based on genetic testing where tailored treatments can now focus on and cancer and genetic testingtarget specific cancer tumors.

And to demonstrate this, we will review a recent (2014) success story from a young man (23-years) who submitted by faith and determination to the investigative process of genetic testing with tailored drug treatments for cancer cure.

Original story:  Wall Street Journal: March 28, 2016 

In February 2014, after a lengthy struggle with a head-cold, nosebleeds and body fatigue, Evan Johnson, a senior student at the University of North Dakota, decided to visit the Mayo Clinic when he began to have bruises and chest pain.

Genetic testing at the Mayo Clinic discovered an acute form of Myeloid Leukemia; a cancer disease that forms, grows, and can  spread quickly through out the body.

Fortunate for Mr. Johnson, oncologists today are taking new directions with genetic testing to discover ways to make strong  offensive action against cancer.  The doctors know cancer can evolve to resist treatment(s), and they now use these complications as potential advantages to identify alternate cancer targets they can use different drug treatments on, as the cancer changes.

(Related Science)

The medical team working at the Mayo Clinic on Johnson’s case moved quickly in their investigative research to discover several effective treatments to use against the cancer genetic mutations that were pushing his disease.  While his end story is successful, Evan had to endure a failed stem cell transplant, six various  prescribed courses of medical treatment,  four cancer relapses and other life-threatening problems that occurred when treatment went beyond the desired effect.

For Evan’s mother, Carol Johnson:

We truly felt like we were in a war.  We didn’t know where the [cancer] enemy was at any given moment and what means [the cancer] was going to use to attack us next.

After nine months into his cancer treatment, Evan’s leukemia evolved and developed a new mutation, unexpectedly!  The change allowed the cancer to escape the cure of the treatment being administered.  But, the deviation in the cancer gave his oncologists  a new target that was vulnerable to other cancer fighting drugs.  Mr. Johnson’s doctors modified and fine-tuned their treatment for him and managed to defeat the leukemia; which cleared the way for Evan to receive a second, successful stem cell transplant. Consequently, Evan Johnson has been cancer free for more than a year.

Genetic Testing: Cancer Treatment’s
New Direction

Dr. Pashtoon Kasi, an oncologist at the Rochester,Minn.-based Mayo Clinic, is a team-member that assisted in Evan Johnson’s medical care.  Dr. Kasi says the medical team could see the cancer evolution  happen by regular genetic testing, which allowed Mr. Johnson’s treatment to be customized to his particular need.  “Personalization in real time… This is where oncology is headed down the line,” says Dr. Pashtoon Kasi.

According to Dr. Jose Baselga, chief physician at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York:

A decade ago, we were shooting in the dark.  If first-line or second-line treatments failed, we either had nothing to do next, or what we did was totally disconnected with the biology of the disease.

With today’s technology cancer patients with advanced forms of the disease can be treated at major health centers, expecting their tumors to be genetic sequenced.  The genetic testing provides a Genetic Testing Targets Cancer Mutationshope in finding a match to the many new drugs that target exactly and stop the cancer mutations that stimulate the cancer’s growth.  Good matches can produce excellent results with dramatic effect at reducing tumors, but “precision drug treatment” is not always a cure.  Sometimes the treatment is thwarted when a tumor evolves.  This forces oncologists to seek the identity of new mutations that can be stopped with effective treatment.

Oncologists, Genetic Testing and New Cancer Treatments: A Game of Whack-a-Mole

The research process of identifying new mutations and matching the next precision drug treatment to stop cancer growth is.. “like a Whack-a-Mole game,” according to Dr. Baselga.  Each attempt to solve the cancer problem is piece-meal resulting only in temporary or minor improvement.  And as new mutations occur, the medical strategy is to find a new treatment (hammer) to hit it with.

But the real challenge to this approach of medical treatment is finding drugs that treat cancer-causing mutations; there just aren’t that many, yet.  For example, a drug found that works on a patient with melanoma might not be successful on a colon-cancer patient, even if they have the same mutation.  And, sometimes a drug that is not yet approved for the type of cancer being treated is suggested based upon DNA tests that match the tumor mutation, which jeopardizes the possibility of compensation for expensive drugs.

Regarding this method of cancer treatment, Dr. Kasi says:

It’s not for every patient or [form of] cancer.  But as we develop more drugs and understand more [treatment] pathways, it would be a reasonable option for a lot of our patients.

Evan Johnson returned to his home after spending 17 months at the Mayo Clinic enduring medical Whack-a-Mole, being released with a good chance of sustained, durable remission of Myeloid Leukemia and the cancer’s genetic mutations.

An account of Evan’s case has been published by Dr. Pashtoon M. Kasi, Mark R. Litzow, Mrinal M. Patnaik, Shahrukh K. Hashmi, and Naseema Gangat in the journal:

Leukema Research Reports (January 2016)

 

Money Goes to Effective, Ongoing Cancer Research and Treatment

DISTRICT COUNCIL 16 GIVES $200,000 FOR CANCER RESEARCH

Money Goes to Effective,
Ongoing Cancer Research and Treatment

By Robert Buscemi

The United Association Southern California Pipe Trades Council 16 presented the Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America with a check for $200,000 at the Council’s annual holiday lunch.

2015-02-district-16-donation
DC 16 gives a landmark amount to a worthy cause: (l-r) Shane Rucker, Dr. Parkash Gill, Elizabeth Paul, Jerry Neil Paul and John Ferruccio.

The money, all raised in 2014, will go toward a cure for mesothelioma, a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. District Council 16 Director of Organizing John Ferruccio emceed the event December 12 at the Dodger Stadium Club. He held off announcing the impressive dollar figure until after the speeches, when a drum roll from the house band built the excitement.

“Every year, as you know, one of our main fundraisers is to find a cure for this unfortunate disease,” Ferruccio told more than 150 attendees. “Mostly, mesothelioma is affecting our grandfathers, fathers and fathers-in-law. It’s gotten a lot better over the years.”

Ferruccio said the Council hosts an annual golf tournament and skeet-shooting events. In addition, the State Building and Construction Trade Council of California raises money through the annual Roger Hamilton golf invitational.

The foundation, known as MESORFA, was founded in 2001 by attorney Jerry Neil Paul, his wife Elizabeth Ann Paul and retired California Pipe Trades Representative and past Vice President of the State Building and Construction Trade Council, Jim Kellogg.

2015-02-district-16-donation-elizabeth-paul
“To bring a treatment to the public costs tens of millions of dollars,” Elizabeth Paul tells the crowd.

In thanking District Council 16, MESORFA Executive Director Elizabeth Paul explained that all funding goes toward research rather than administration.

“All of this money goes directly to fund a lab at USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center here in Los Angeles. We use 100 percent of every dollar donated toward research, for clinical trials and to fund the lab. Nothing goes for the foundation – those costs are privately underwritten.”

Cancer Research Costs Millions

Paul said such research is never cheap, and other cancers get more attention and funding than mesothelioma, especially in a tight economy. Indeed, she said, MESORFA operates on a shoestring budget. “I know people don’t understand that, but to bring a treatment to the public costs tens of millions of dollars.”

As such, Paul said District Council 16’s annual contribution is crucial.

“Everybody was extremely generous. Families took care of families. My husband Jerry and I are big on family. Your leaders at District Council 16 view your members as family. Because they have gone out of their way to make sure that there are treatments and cures for this horrible disease.”

The disease hits especially hard at workers who have been exposed to asbestos, as many Pipe Trades and other Building Trades were before protections were put in place against the toxic substance. Even now, workers confront the hazard at some job sites.

Paul then introduced Dr. Parkash Gill, who reported that he has made huge strides at his lab through the development of Veglin, a drug that treats the disease.

“I’m honored to be part of it,” Gill said. “It’s a worthy cause. I’m a cancer research doctor, so finding a treatment for patients really is a rewarding experience. When somebody is ill and they get better and they go home and never see you again, it’s wonderful.”

Gill said that patients are already seeing positive results at treatment advances. He said certain efforts have been completely successful.

“This medicine, we have given to a 78-year-old patient. Two or three years out now, there’s no cancer left and no side effects.”

Study Shows Asbestos Bans are Slow to Reduce Malignant Mesothelioma Rates

It has been more than 32 years since Denmark began in 1972 a ban on the use of asbestos insulation. In the late 1980s, Denmark also extended its ban to include other products containing asbestos.  And now, Denmark is one of 55 countries who have completely banned asbestos  products.  

But according to the new study of mesothelioma in Denmark, a steady rise in cases of this asbestos-linked cancer that began in the 1950s is still going on.

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer of the membranes around internal organs, most often the lungs or abdomen of the patient. It is a deadly disease that comes from exposure to the mineral asbestos.

Asbestos was made into a popular insulator and component in building materials worldwide back in the 1930s because it was readily available, cost little, and its very resistant to fire and corrosion.  The use of Asbestos in the building materials has put hundreds of thousands of workers at risk for mesothelioma.

Many countries, including Denmark, began in the 1950s and 60s to reduce their use of Asbestos products after it was linked to mesothelioma cancer as well as other unhealthy conditions.Pleural Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer

In a Danish study, the research team used data from the years 1943 through 2009 about mesothelioma stored at the Danish Cancer Registry. The researchers discovered the total incidence of mesothelioma continued to rise throughout the study period showing a peak of 1.76 cases per 100,000 people during the years 2008-2009.

The study also identified more cases in the Region of Northern Jutland in comparison to Southern Denmark.  While mesothelioma survival rate has improved slightly, the researchers noted that the  prognosis for getting mesothelioma continues to remain poor based on a median rate of 12.5 months survival for men and 13.3 months survival for women in the years 2008 through 2009.

In the Danish Medical Journal, the authors conclude:

“The national malignant mesothelioma incidence for men continues to increase, perhaps showing a slight tendency towards deceleration in the most recent decade,”

But they go on to say that:

“A clear long-term effect of the Danish asbestos ban has not yet occurred.”

Lag Time between Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma Diagnosis

With mesothelioma, the lag time  (latency period) between exposure to asbestos  and the development of the disease can be many decades.   It is during the latency period that the disease is very difficult to detect and diagnose, much less tracing its source.  Frequently mesothelioma cancer is diagnosed late in its development, and it tends to progress quickly.  Estimates from the World Health Organization show that since 1994, more than 92,000 people have died from mesothelioma cancer.

RESULTS:

In Denmark, the national incidence of malignant mesothelioma cancer for men has been rising during the study period, reaching its total maximum of 1.76 in 2008-2009.  The incidence rate has remained relatively steady for women with a maximum of 0.5 in 1973 through 1977.

Northern Jutland and the surrounding region records the highest male incidence rate of mesothelioma since the late 1980s. The difference in relative risk for men in the Region of Southern Denmark and the Region of Northern Jutland was 1.53 during the period of 2008-2009.  The relative risk of developing mesothelioma cancer in the Region of Northern Jutland for the entire study period when collectively compared to the whole of Denmark was 1.38.  The study showed there are no notable regional differences for women at risk of developing mesothelioma.  Therefore, survival has slightly improved for both genders, but still remains poor with a median survival of 12.5 months for men and 13.3 months for women in the period of 2008 through 2009.

CONCLUSION:

Within Denmark the national malignant mesothelioma incidence for men continues to increase, perhaps showing a slight tendency towards deceleration in the most recent decade. A measurable long-term mitigating effect of the Danish ban on asbestos products  has not yet occurred.

The original Danish study appeared in the Danish Medical Journal. (Skammeritz, E, et al, “Regional difference in incidence of malignant mesothelioma in Denmark“, March 2013, Danish Medical Journal.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23484611

The Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America has brought readers the most important and ground-breaking news on the causes, diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma. All Surviving Mesothelioma news is gathered and reported directly from the peer-reviewed medical literature. Written for patients and their loved ones, Surviving Mesothelioma news helps families make more informed decisions.

Related Mesothelioma Cancer Press Releases

Possible New Treatment for Mesothelioma with MicroRNA Research

Today’s cancer cure researcher will frequently dig deep into the genetic makeup of the cancer disease to understand how it grows.  While in search for the most effective treatment to cure lung cancer and mesothelioma, and by genetically figuring that out, the researcher can stop the aggressive cancers by halting its growth.  Currently, Oncologists believe that a pair of microRNAs should be focused on for suppressing tumor growth in lung cancer.microRNA genetic research mesothelioma

microRNAs, or miRNAs, are tiny molecules found within cells that serve a function in primary biological processes.  These processes include organ development, fat metabolism, and cell proliferation.  A person remains healthy when miRNAs are functioning properly.  And, miRNAs can inhibit tumor growth when used as a therapeutic agent.

While miRFAs let-7 and miR-34 are known to be effective individually at stopping cancer growth, researchers at the Cancer Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) found that by combining these two molecules the pair are even more effective.

MicroRNA and Lung Cancer

Specifically, the miRNAs were unleashed on cancer pathways RAS and p53, two oncogenes, genes that have the potential to transform a cell into a cancer cell, known to lead to the aggressive growth of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).  The resulting two-molecule agent was found to be safe and effective in a lung cancer mouse model and demonstrated efficacy showing survival advantage.

According to one of the authors, Frank Slack, PhD (Director of the Institute for RNA Medicine in BIDMC):   “We know that miRNAs target many oncogenes.  We, therefore, hypothesized that a combination of two miRNAs could similarly offset resistance.  We have performed these timely in vivo studies using a liposomal microRNA delivery agent already in clinical trials, which could accelerate the translation of this combinatorial miRNA therapeutic approach into the clinic.”

Dr. Slack also said that currently there are no approved drugs that are effective for patients with RAS and p53 mutations. He mentioned reports that the K-RAS mutation is found in 25 percent of NSCLC patients while 50 percent are affected by the p53 mutation.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, an asbestos-caused cancer equally as aggressive as NSCLC, is diagnosed in close to 3,000 Americans each year.  And while microRNA research is focused on lung cancer, every new breakthrough in lung cancer research also brings new hope to patients with mesothelioma cancer.

The study was published in the Sept. 1 issue of Oncogene.

Computed Tomography Screening for Mesothelioma Finds Asbestos-Related Lung Disease, According to Surviving Mesothelioma

Recent Tomography Research for Mesothelioma

The original study is published in the Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography (Carrillo, MC, et al, Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) in Workers Previously Exposed to Asbestos: Detection of parenchymal Lung Disease, July-August, 2013, Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography, pp. 626-630).

Recent research study reports that a lower dose of the same technology often used to diagnose mesothelioma may be able to help identify other asbestos-related lung diseases in people at risk for the deadly cancer.Tomography and Mesothelioma

Tomography in Canada for Mesothelioma

A study in Canada states that it tested the value of Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) for lung disease in asbestos-exposed workers.  The individuals were being screened for lung cancer or mesothelioma.  The Canadian research study focused on 315 baseline LDCT examinations of the chests of participants with at least 20 years of exposure to asbestos. Also included in the analysis were people who were found to have pleural plaques on X-ray (these are areas of calcification on the lung lining caused by asbestos).

The average age of the study participants was just under 62. All had been exposed to asbestos in an occupational setting for an average of 26.9 years. Forty-four percent of participants (140 people) had what were called parenchymal findings, or evidence of abnormalities in their lung tissue. Although such parenchymal findings do not necessarily indicate the presence of lung cancer or mesothelioma, they can be early evidence of a developing problem.

Study participants with parenchymal findings were like patients with mesothelioma in that they tended to be older (average age of 65.3) and have longer-than-average asbestos exposure (average of 29.73 years).  While many participants were also smokers, there was no statistical difference in parenchymal findings between those who smoked and those who did not.

The study concluded that LDCT can be a valuable way to detect early signs of lung disease in people who have no symptoms but are considered at high risk. Like lung cancer and mesothelioma, parenchymal lung diseases are most treatable when detected early. Unfortunately, mesothelioma is almost never found early because it tends not to produce any noticeable symptoms until it is in its later stages.

Because asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, some have suggested the LDCT should be a regular part of health maintenance for all asbestos workers. The current study is further evidence of the value of the technology. Although mesothelioma is often treatment-resistant, it is more responsive to therapy before it has spread beyond the pleural lining and invaded the lungs or lymph nodes.

More Mesothelioma Cancer Press Releases