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CNN mistakes mesothelioma for lung cancer

By Adim | Published segunda-feira, 15 de outubro de 2012

This is a pretty common mistake in the popular press – thinking mesothelioma is a form of lung cancer. In mesothelioma, the tumor is on the mesothelium, which is the lining of the pleural cavity. In lung cancer, the tumor is in the lung tissue.

In this case, the story was on Dana Reeve, the widow of Christopher Reeve, who died of lung cancer at age 44. Most (but not all) cases of lung cancer can be attributed to smoking. In the popular imagination, all lung cancer patients smoked, but that is not necessarily true.

Dana Reeve said she never smoked, but she got cancer anyway. The CNN story says “other factors associated with lung cancer include exposure to asbestos or fine airborne particulates.” I understand that journalists don’t want to spend time and space explaining that asbestos causes mesothelioma, which is not the same as lung cancer, but it still sometimes irks me.

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Needle-track metastases and prophylactic radiotherapy for mesothelioma

By Adim


There is an article in the journal Respiratory Medicine about mesothelioma tumors extending along the area where the doctors insert instruments for diagnosis and treatment. These researchers were able to prevent the metastases by applying targeted radiotherapy with no catheter damage. Encouraing news.

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Piroxicam and Cisplatin Show Promise Against Mesothelioma Cells

By Adim


Piroxicam, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), has shown anti-tumoral activity which is amplified when combined with Cisplatin.

Researchers used two mesothelioma cell lines and treated cells with piroxicam and cisplatin alone then combined the two treatments.

Cell growth was significantly limited in both lines and treatment with either agent appeared to disrupt cell cycle phase distribution and expression of some regulatory proteins.

Their effects were significantly increased when used as a combination therapy. In one of the cell lines they appeared to create a synergistic effect on apoptosis (likely through the activation of caspase 8,9).

The data suggests that a combination of piroxicam and cisplatin should warrant further investigation because of their effects on apoptosis and cell cycles.

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Data Supports Further Investigation of Mesothelioma Virotherapy

By Adim | Published domingo, 14 de outubro de 2012


Oncolytics Biotech presented data that indicates malignant mesothelioma cells are sensitive to certain viruses. Their presentation titled “Combination Immunotherapy and Oncolytics Virotherapy for the Treatment of Malignant Mesothelioma” discussed in vitro data showing mesothelioma cells could be suitable targets for reoviruses which could then attack and compromise them.

The company currently has 7 ongoing phase I and phase II trials though none are currently for mesothelioma patients. Reoviruses, which the company is investigating, are generally gastrointestinal infections with the most common form being the rotavirus.

The goal of virotherapy is to isolate and reprogram viruses to only attack cancerous cells. It is still a relatively undeveloped field within cancer research but progress is being made.

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Esophageal Stents As a Palliative Care Measure for Mesothelioma

By Adim


Mesothelioma, a cancer that invades the wall lining of the lungs and other internal organs, is a particularly difficult type of cancer to treat. Almost universally related to the inhalation of asbestos particles, treatment of advanced stages of the disease is largely palliative.

Palliative health care refers to the focus of relieving symptoms and pain as opposed to taking steps to eliminate the illness. In many advanced cases of mesothelioma, patients experience a difficulty swallowing. The medical term for such a symptom is dysphagia. 

As the mesothelioma tumor spreads from the lungs to the esophagus, the tumor can reduce the diameter of the air pathway. In some cases, this reduced ability to breath and swallow is the direct cause of death. In an effort to assuage dysphagia, prolong survival and reduce discomfort, a recent study performed at the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery in Derriford Hospital points to esophageal stents as a potential treatment. 

A case report published in the January 25, 2008 Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery details the success of self-expanding esophageal stents on patience with mesothelioma. In the three patient cases discussed in the report, all three patients achieved immediate satisfactory reduction in dysphagia. However, progressive dysphagia resurfaced 1 to 6 months later. In such cases further stenting is required to open up a larger portion of the esophagus.

As dysphagia is usually an end-case symptom, patients are not expected to survive a considerable length of time as a result of the stents. However, the primary goal of the procedure is to relieve pain and improve quality of life for the patient. 

 Resource: http://www.cardiothoracicsurgery.org/content/3/1/3

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New Diagnostic Technique Could Result in Test for Mesothelioma

By Adim


Reuters is reporting a new blood test that could identify mesothelioma at an early stage. The biotech company Somalogic, which specializes in developing diagnostic tests, announced a new technology that could allow doctors to identify mesothelioma in patients before they show visible symptoms.

Somalogic scientists used blood samples from mesothelioma patients and were able to develop aptameters (oligonucleic acid or peptide molecules) that bind to proteins expressed by mesothelioma cells. These biomarkers are present in the blood at extremely low concentrations, so conventional chemical analysis cannot find them.

The use of proteomics array technology and genetic material specific to the protein allows discovery of the disease early in its development. According to HealthDay News, Somalogic scientists identified 19 biomarkers for mesothelioma. They found a specificity of 100% for those markets. Sensitivity was 80%. If these numbers hold through further development, the diagnostic process would be able to identify the large majority of mesothelioma cases with some false positives.

If this technology proves reliable it could be used in a screening process for people with a history of asbestos exposure. Asbestos is known to cause mesothelioma, but the latency period is very long and the symptoms often don’t manifest until the disease has progressed to a point at which treatment options are limited. Early discovery of mesothelioma would give doctors and patients more options and improve the prognosis of those afflicted with this cancer. 

Read more at:
http://www.doctorslounge.com/index.php/news/pb/14384

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE68R5T220100928 http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-09/aafc-nbd092110.php

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