AboutMesothelioma.Net

Mesothelin Finding Could Lead to Early Detection of Mesothelioma

Researchers from the National Research Centre for Asbestos Related Disease, School of Medicine and Pharmacology at the University of Western Australia recently discovered a new blood marker for malignant mesothelioma, a serious cancer caused by breathing in asbestos fibers, known as soluble mesothelin-related protein (SMRP) or serum mesothelin. The researchers found that mesothelioma patients had significantly elevated levels of SMRP in their blood, which could lead to early detection of malignant mesothelioma.

Although ongoing research is being conducted to find a cure for mesothelioma, it is still considered to be an incurable disease in the medical community. Early detection improves survival chances, since most often diagnoses are not made until symptoms appear and the disease has progressed to an advanced stage.   

Mesothelin Significance
Mesothelin occurs normally on mesothelial cells and also on certain types of cancers such as malignant mesothelioma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, ovarian and lung cancer. In comparing mesothelioma patients with normal, healthy individuals, the researchers found that more than half of the mesothelioma patients at diagnosis had significantly elevated levels of SMRP in their blood.

This finding is significant because it can be useful in screening asbestos-exposed patients and lead to detecting mesothelioma at an early stage.  This could mean intervention and treatment for patients at an earlier stage of the disease. Mesothelioma is highly aggressive and is resistant to many standard cancer treatments; however, it can be treated with varying degrees of success through the use of surgical procedures, chemotherapy and radiation.

Research Process
The study group consisted of individuals from the Wittenoom Township of Australia where the risk of mesothelioma is significantly increased to approximately 17% and is one of the highest in the world. A large segment of this population was exposed to blue asbestos, crocidolite, as a result of employment with the Australian Blue Asbestos Company or residence in the nearby area.  

Archival blood samples collected from these individuals, who participated in a cancer prevention program since 1995, were utilized from 3 patient populations: 1) patients who were diagnosed with mesothelioma, 2) individuals with significant asbestos exposure, and 3) individuals with no known asbestos exposure.

During the study, comparisons were made to determine the possible association between patient symptoms, changes in x-rays and mesothelin test results. In addition, the model used examined “the possible relationship between the mesothelin and the time difference from blood sampling and malignant mesothelioma diagnosis.”  Variables included in the model were sex, age, tumor histology, site of tumor, and symptoms, including weight loss, shortness of breath, and pain, at the time the blood samples were taken.

Conclusions
Overall, this study shows that in a population with a high risk of mesothelioma the mesothelin biomarker is “relatively elevated” in close to 40% of patients prior to diagnosis. In the asbestos-exposed group, there was no correlation between mesothelin levels and the degree of exposure to asbestos. Even small amounts of asbestos and infrequent exposure can create a risk for contracting mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases

While the research is promising as a basis for early detection of mesothelioma, the researchers concluded that further testing is needed to ensure that all factors are considered before patients and physicians begin to rely on this as a screening tool for mesothelioma.

Source:
Serum Mesothelin for Early Detection of the Asbestos-Induced Cancer Maligant Mesothelioma published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, July 2010.

Labels: Research News
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New York Attorney Calls for International Ban on Mesothelioma-Causing Asbestos

According to prominent New York personal injury attorney Joseph Belluck, the only realistic way to break the cycle of asbestos-related disease, including mesothelioma and asbestosis, is through a universal ban on the manufacture and use of asbestos.  Belluck agrees with an article by the Collegium Ramazzini published in the July issue of Environmental Health Perspectives saying a worldwide ban is urgently needed on all forms of asbestos.

Asbestos is a known carcinogen and is proven to cause mesothelioma, a serious cancer caused by breathing in the asbestos fibers that then become lodged in the thin membrane that lines and encases the lungs.  Often called “asbestos cancer,” mesothelioma is highly aggressive and is resistant to many standard cancer treatments.

“It’s important to emphasize the Collegium’s point that workers are not being protected from asbestos exposure by technology or safe workplace practices,” Belluck said. “So let’s not kid ourselves that people in the U.S. who work around asbestos are protected.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 125 million people worldwide are exposed to asbestos in the workplace.  In addition, they estimate 90,000 people die each year from asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.

The Collegium said as many as 10 million people may die before asbestos is banned, and that all countries have a duty to their citizens to join in a ban.  The United States still imports asbestos and asbestos-containing products such as asbestos-cement pipe and brake linings.

The Collegium Ramazzini, which is composed of 180 scientific and occupational health experts from around the world, takes its name from Bernardino Ramazzini, an Italian scientist from the 1700s who is the father of occupational medicine

Read the full article.

Labels: asbestos
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Protein Can be Reliable for Diagnosing Malignant Mesothelioma

CD146, a protein molecule, has been linked to the advanced tumor stage of various malignant cancers including prostate cancer, ovarian cancer and malignant melanoma.  Now scientists have found an increased presence of the protein in malignant mesothelioma, but not in non-cancerous pleural effusions.  Researchers reported in an article in Modern Pathology that this distinction may offer physicians a sensitive and reliable indicator of malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Early detection of mesothelioma improves survival chances, but most often diagnoses are not made until symptoms appear and the disease has progressed to an advanced stage leaving the patient with life-threatening complications.  Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer primarily caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers, and the average survival time varies from 4 – 18 months after diagnosis.

The first symptoms of pleural mesothelioma often presented are shortness of breath accompanied by chest pain due to excess fluid around the lungs. In many cases, these pleural effusions or hardened areas on the lining of the lung can be benign.   Doctors have been seeking a new way to reliably distinguish between patients with malignant mesothelioma and those with non-cancerous reactions to asbestos.  The identification of CD146 in the effusions can be significant for enabling an accurate diagnosis.

Once rare, the incidence of malignant mesothelioma has been increasing worldwide and is predicted to peak around 2020. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), asbestos causes approximately half of all deaths from occupational cancer.  In addition, they estimate 90,000 people die each year from asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.

The researchers also reported that a CD146 antibody may potentially be an effective treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Labels: Research News
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Biomarker Successes Remain Elusive For Mesothelioma and Cancer Researchers

by Nancy Meredith

According to the National Cancer Institute, a biomarker is “a biological molecule found in blood, other body fluids, or tissues that is a sign of a normal or abnormal process, or of a condition or disease.”   Biomarkers can be useful in diagnosing and treating diseases such as mesothelioma and other cancers, and researchers have been investing large amounts of time and money to move their research to the patients and into the medical field.  Unfortunately, according to the August 12, 2010 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, the investments have not translated into major clinical success.

An article published in 2009 in the journal Current Drug Targets led researchers to indicate that using biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy is promising for malignant mesothelioma.  With mesothelioma, a serious cancer that occurs in individuals exposed to airborne asbestos fibers, being chemoresistant, the researchers were focusing on biologic drugs that would target tumor growth factors.

Physicians, oncologists and mesothelioma patients are anxious to find a new treatment for the incurable disease.  While the disease can be treated with varying degrees of success through the use of surgical procedures, chemotherapy and radiation, once the symptoms appear the disease has progressed to an advanced stage, and the survival is usually less than 18 months.

The author of the article, Eleftherios P. Diamandis, M.D., Ph.D., professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, states that although major investments have been made to discover and validate cancer biomarkers over the past 15 years, failures can be attributed to problems with study design and interpretation, as well as statistical deficiencies.

Diamandis reviewed 7 cases that were initially considered to be breakthroughs in biomarker use, but later became failures.  The problems identified ranged from inappropriate statistical analysis to biases in case patient and control subject selection.

Diamandis found that while disease biomarkers are used widely in medicine, very few are useful for cancer diagnosis and monitoring.  Many reports have described new cancer biomarkers that promised to revolutionize the diagnosis of cancer and the management of cancer patients, however, no new major cancer biomarkers have been approved for clinical use for at least 25 years. 

The Cancer Biomarker Conundrum

Labels: Featured Story
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Avastin May Not be Effective for Breast Cancer, But is Still an Option for Mesothelioma

In a rare move, the United States Food and Drug Administration may remove their approval for the use of Avastin in the treatment of breast cancer.  A 13 member panel of experts reviewed follow-up data on how patients have done on the drug and concluded that the benefits of the drug do not outweigh the risks.  The use of Avastin for other cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), will not be affected.  Avastin, with the drug name bevacizumab, is currently under evaluation in patients with previously untreated mesothelioma in a University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center phase II trial.

Mesothelioma is a serious cancer that occurs in individuals exposed to airborne asbestos fibers. Even small amounts of asbestos and infrequent exposure can create a risk for contracting mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. Mesothelioma is highly aggressive and is resistant to many cancer treatments, although it has been treated with varying degrees of success through the use of surgical procedures, chemotherapy and radiation.

Avastin was the first U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – approved biological therapy designed to inhibit the formation of new blood vessels to tumors, slowing the growth and spread of the tumors.  Studies have shown that VEGF, an autocrine growth factor released by mesothelioma cells, causes new blood vessels to form.  VEGF levels are shown to be higher in mesothelioma patients suggesting that VEGF may be a proper target for Avastin as a mesothelioma treatment.

In 2008, FDA granted “accelerated approval” to Avastin to treat breast cancers that had spread to other parts of the body. Even though the FDA may not support the use of the drug for breast cancer, it is possible that oncologists will continue to prescribe the drug as an off-label use.  In that case, patients run the risk that their insurance company will not pick up the tab for the therapy.

The FDA is expected to make a decision on Avastin’s use for breast cancer by the middle of September.

Labels: Treatment News
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Options for Funding Mesothelioma Research

Athletic events are becoming popular methods for raising much-needed funds for mesothelioma research.  As more and more advocates join the fight for a mesothelioma cure, however, fundraising and donation options have become more diverse.  While mesothelioma is a form of lung cancer, the research dollars designated for lung cancer don’t always end up funding projects specific to mesothelioma.

Although ongoing research is being conducted to find new treatments and therapies for mesothelioma, a rare, aggressive cancer primarily caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers, it is still considered to be an incurable disease in the medical community. Early detection improves survival chances, but most often diagnoses are not made until symptoms appear and the disease has progressed to an advanced stage leaving the patient with life-threatening complications.

With clinical trials offering the best available treatment, as well as the opportunity for patients to receive new, potentially more effective therapies, keeping mesothelioma researchers funded is critical to the 3,000 Americans diagnosed with the disease each year.

Donation Options

Give to your hospital of choice.  There are several hospitals with mesothelioma programs that support on-line giving and most have a “donate online” option on their websites.  The International Mesothelioma Program at Brigham and Women’s of Boston, for example, states that “donations sustain important research, provide clinical services to the needy, and support a broad spectrum of projects in the community.”

Fund Foundation and Charity Programs.  Mesothelioma charities designate their donations to fund clinical trials and research for mesothelioma treatments and therapies, they offer support and education for patients, and many offer counseling and financial resources to help patients and their families.

Make a gift to Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation.  The Meso Foundation is one of the leading foundations “dedicated to eradicating the life-ending and vicious effects of mesothelioma.”  A donation to the Meso Foundation will help fund grants and critical research, advocate in Washington, D.C. for greater federal funding, and educate patients, families and doctors on current treatment options.

Support the National Cancer Institute.  Although the NCI is an entity of the Federal government they can accept donations and bequests to support its mission.  Donations can be designated for a certain type of cancer research, so be sure to designate Mesothelioma as the research to be funded.

Donate your time.  Giving money is not always an option, and giving your time in support of a mesothelioma foundation is just as critical.  Organizations are always in need of volunteers willing to help with newsletters, organize events, provide support to patients and conduct research.

Labels: Research News
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Golf Outing to Raise Funds for Mesothelioma Research

The family of mesothelioma victim Jeff Crist, is holding the Jeff Crist Memorial Golf Outing Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010, at Heritage Hills Golf Resort in York, Pennsylvania.   All of the proceeds from the Outing will be donated to the International Mesothelioma Program (IMP) to advance groundbreaking research, novel treatment and compassionate patient care.

Crist (1949-2009) was active in his church, on the golf course, on the water, and with his family when he was diagnosed with the deadly malignant pleural mesothelioma.  Jeff was a son, brother, husband, and father when he lost his 5 month battle with the disease.  His family is organizing the golfing event in the hope that “a cure will be found in the near future so that other families do not have to endure such a tragedy.”

Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer primarily caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers.  Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until up to 50 years after initial exposure to asbestos. However, after symptoms become apparent, mesothelioma may rapidly progress to cause life-threatening complications.  Currently there is no known cure for the disease.

Founded by David J. Sugarbaker, MD, the IMP is the largest program of its kind in the world.  The program encompasses a clinical program, a research program and a support program. The clinical focus is on developing treatment strategies that can significantly extend the life of mesothelioma patients.

For further information see the Jeff Crist Memorial Golf Outing website.

Labels: mesothelioma
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3 Year Mesothelioma Survivor Stays Busy Raising Awareness of the Disease

Janelle Bedel has endured surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, physical therapy and countless doctor and hospital visits for three years – but now she is declaring herself mesothelioma-free.  Diagnosed at the age of 31, Bedel was determined to beat the disease, and now she wants to help others do the same.

Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer primarily caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers.  Pleural mesothelioma, which is the type of mesothelioma diagnosed in Bedel, is most commonly found in the outer lining of the lungs called the mesothelium.   Currently there is no known cure for mesothelioma, and the average survival time varies from 4 – 18 months after diagnosis.

After Bedel’s surgery, where her surgeon told her “if she can remove it all she will, and if she can’t she won’t touch me” she was given 10 months to live.  Since that successful surgery and all the treatment that followed, Bedel has been to Washington, DC to the International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma, met with her Senators to encourage passage of the Mesothelioma Awareness Day resolution, is involved with the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation and has her own fundraising page on their web site, and is trying to get the sponsorship for a Miles for Meso 5K walk/run in Rushville.

Bedel now just tries to stay positive, stay healthy and help others by raising awareness.  She posts affirmations on her Facebook page regularly where she has prominently displayed “Believe in a Cure.”   On August 9^th she visited her New York surgeon for her checkup where she proudly posted:  “just left the doctor’s office, my scan was good!=) So I will celebrate my 3 year anniversary cancer free! =).”

Mesothelioma Survivor

Labels: For Your Family
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MesotheliomaHelp Website Offers Mesothelioma-Related FAQs

MesotheliomaHelp.net, one of the web’s primary resources for information on malignant mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, has added a series of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to the website.  These commonly asked mesothelioma-related questions are a good first reference for families when dealing with the news that a loved one has been diagnosed with the deadly disease.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer typically affecting the lining of the lungs. Primarily caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers, most cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed 30 years or more after exposure. The latency period can be as long as 50 years.  Currently there is no known cure for mesothelioma, and the average survival time varies from 4 – 18 months after diagnosis.

Following is a sample of questions provided on the website:

• My uncle was just diagnosed with mesothelioma and I want to learn as much as I can about this disease. Is there a resource available that answers all of my questions about this illness?
• I just read in the paper about a 30-year-old getting mesothelioma because of her father’s job. How could that have happened?
• I have mesothelioma and my friend told me about a new drug that is being tested through a clinical trial. How can I find out about all of the available mesothelioma clinical trials?
• I am very upset that my uncle now has mesothelioma because he was exposed to asbestos at his job. Can he file a lawsuit against his former employer?

Learning more about mesothelioma and the available treatments, prognosis, and other issues that impact you, or anyone else, diagnosed with the cancer, can help you understand the disease and better prepare you for the next steps.

Labels: mesothelioma
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CDMRP System Offers Funding Opportunity to Help Military Mesothelioma Sufferers

The Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded a contract to SRA International, Inc., a provider of technology and strategic consulting services and solutions to government organizations, to continue to support the receipt and scientific review of research grant applications to DoD’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) system.  The Department of Defense (DoD) is responsible for funding and promoting research on diseases related to military service, and in 2008 the first funds were allocated towards mesothelioma research. 

The study of mesothelioma, a serious cancer that occurs in individuals exposed to airborne asbestos fibers, is applicable to military and veteran populations because of their disproportionate exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos was widely used in the military between the 1940s and 1970s putting workers at a greater risk of asbestos exposure. Some soldiers worked in close quarters, such as ship engine rooms, where loose asbestos fibers circulated in the air. Asbestos was used in equipment in boiler rooms and engine rooms of ships as well as in numerous products, including gaskets, pumps, valves, boilers and turbines.  It was also used in thousands of buildings and Navy ships from World War II until the 1970s.  Veterans account for nearly 30 percent of all cases of mesothelioma.

SRA Health Programs Vice President Paul Nedzbala said, “CDMRP plays an important role in supporting disease-specific research, and in addressing the issues faced by our military members and their families. SRA fully shares this mission and we are proud that CDMRP will allow us to continue this partnership.”

In 2008 $1.3 million was awarded through the system to University of California researchers for a 3 year project to determine the “Role of Macrophage-Induced Inflammation in Mesothelioma” with a goal to find useful information that can be applied to clinical trial design for patients with mesothelioma.

An additional $1.2 million in funding was awarded in 2009 to the New York University School of Medicine to develop screening tests for mesothelioma leading to improvements in early detection of the disease.

2010 mesothelioma grant applications are accepted under the Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP) of CDMRP.  Applications have already been presented with the scientific peer review held in July, and the final programmatic review to be held in December 2010.

 Sources:

• Department of Defense
• SRA International

Labels: Research News, mesothelioma
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