MedWorm: Mesothelioma
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- Links between taconite and mesothelioma
The Minnesota Department of Health is launching two major studies to answer long-simmering questions about taconite and human health. The agency says men in northeastern Minnesota have twice the expected rate of a rare form of cancer called mesothelioma. It's caused by asbestos, but the Health Department wants to find out whether it can also be caused by fibers in the taconite on the Iron Range........ (Source: Medicineworld.org: New Article Alert)
Sun, 17 Jun 2007 11:08:06 +0100 - Generation and characterization of an ascitogenic mesothelin-expressing tumor model
Intraperitoneal tumors expressing high amounts of mesothelin such as malignant mesothelioma and ovarian cancers tend to develop ascites and result in significant morbidity and mortality in the patient. A suitable preclinical intraperitoneal model will assist in the illustration of the mechanisms of molecular oncogenesis and facilitate in addressing issues related to early screening, diagnosis, and therapy for intraperitoneal tumors.In the current study, an ascitogenic malignant tumor model (WF-3) was created. The mobility and proliferation of WF-3 and its precursor cells, WF-0, were characterized using transwell and MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assays. In addition, the in vivo tumorgenicity of WF-3 and WF-0 was determined using intraperitoneal injection of the tumor cells. Microarray analysis was performed using WF-3 and WF-0. Northern blot analysis was used to characterize the expression of the mesothelin gene in WF-3 and WF-0. Furthermore, the mesothelin levels in serum and ascites were used to correlate with tumor load of WF-3 in tumor challenged mice.The WF-3 tumor cells demonstrated relatively high proliferation and migration rates compared with the parental cell line, WF-0. The tumors from the WF-3 but not WF-0 were capable of forming ascites and peritoneal-based tumors after tumor challenge. The WF-3 tumor model was also capable of implanting into multiple organs including the diaphragm, intestines, and peritoneal wall. Furthermore, the WF-3 tumor expressed high levels of mesothelin, which is commonly observed in the majority of ovarian cancers, pancreatic cancer, and malignant mesothelioma. In addition, the authors found that the serum and ascites mesothelin levels correlated with tumor loads in tumor-challenged mice.The data indicate that the WF-3 murine tumor model may potentially serve as a good model for understanding the molecular oncogenesis of peritoneal tumors. In addition, the preclinical model may potentially be useful for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic methods against intraperitoneal cancers. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society. (Source: Cancer)
Sun, 17 Jun 2007 05:47:17 +0100 - [thoracic oncology] phase ii study of erlotinib in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma: a southwest oncology group study
Purpose Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) expresses high levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and preclinical studies have identified antitumor activity of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in MPM. We conducted a phase II trial of the EGFR TKI erlotinib in previously untreated patients with MPM. Patients and Methods Patients with measurable and nonmeasurable disease were treated with erlotinib 150 mg/d on days 1 through 28 of each 28-day dosing cycle. Archived patient tumors were analyzed for immunohistochemical expression of EGFR, phospho-EGFR, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), phospho–extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and phosphorylation of members of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway. Results Sixty-three patients were treated on the study. EGFR was highly expressed in 75% of patient tumors, as was phospho-ERK (82%), phospho-Akt (84%), phospho–mammalian target of rapamycin (74%), and phospho-forkhead (74%). HER2 was rarely expressed, and loss of PTEN was rare. For 33 patients with measurable disease, there were no objective responses; 14 patients (42%) had stable disease, 15 patients (45%) had disease progression, and four patients had inadequate assessments to determine response. Toxicities were mainly constitutional (51%), dermatologic (82%), and GI (52%); there was one death on trial, which was related to dyspnea. Median overall survival time was 10 months; 1-year survival rate was 43%; and median progression-free survival time was 2 months. Conclusion Single-agent erlotinib was not effective in MPM, despite high expression of EGFR. Activation of the ERK and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt downstream pathways are possible resistance mechanisms to EGFR TKI. The activated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway is a potential therapeutic target for MPM. (Source: Journal of Clinical Oncology)
Fri, 15 Jun 2007 18:45:38 +0100 - Meso rate growing at uk nuclear power plant
After the recent death of a British man who spent years working at the Hinkley Nuclear Power Plant, a coroner berated officials at the plant for their “blatant disregard” for the health of their former employees, allowing them to be exposed to asbestos without taking proper precautions. Coroner Michael Rose made the comment at the inquest for Roger Prideaux, age 61, who died of mesothelioma after working at Hinkley Point A in the 1960s. Rose says more and more plant workers are showing signs of illness. “There was a time when there were one or two cases like this a year, but now I have about 15. I think we are coming to the peak in asbestos cases,” he told the Weston Mercury. “The dangers of asbestos were known by the end of World War Two and Hinkley has obviously shown a blatant disregard for its employees.” “Roger hung asbestos on the walls and ceilings. He was never given any protective clothing to my knowledge and he never mentioned any,” added his wife, Linda. “He left Hinkley in 1970 to become a self-employed electrician and never worked at the plant again. While he was self-employed he never came into contact with asbestos, but when he worked at Hinkley in the 60s it wasn’t the taboo subject it is now.” Mrs. Prideaux said that her late husband was diagnosed with mesothelioma in December 2006 and died just a few months later, noting that his disease progressed quickly. “This is the second case of this disease I have heard from Hinkley today. We have heard stories of people throwing asbestos around like snowballs,” explained Coroner Rose. ”I extend my deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. Prideaux. It was an early age for him to be taken from us. If the authorities had released what was going on sooner, it would never have happened.” (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)
Thu, 14 Jun 2007 22:52:45 +0100 - Texas judge throws out asbestos award
Saying that the plaintiff “failed to quantify how much asbestos he inhaled on the job,” a Texas Supreme Court judge voided a Corpus Christi mechanic’s $169,000 damage award last Friday. According to an article in the American-Statesman, the Supreme Court found that the lower courts mistakenly blamed Arturo Flores’ illness on BorgWarner brake pads based on his “frequent, regular exposure to the dust from grinding.” However, without the ability to establish how much asbestos could have been inhaled or whether the amounts were sufficient to cause asbestosis, there was no way to judge BorgWarner’s liability, the court said. Flores worked for more than 30 years as an auto mechanic, during which time he claimed to have grinded hundreds of brake pads. The brakes were believed to have contained anywhere between 7% and 28% asbestos. Flores was diagnosed with asbestosis and subsequently sued four brake manufacturers. Three of them settled out of court. “There is no question, on this record, that mechanics in the braking industry could be exposed to respirable asbestos fibers. But without more, this testimony is insufficient to establish that the BorgWarner brake pads were a substantial factor in causing Flores’ disease,” Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson wrote on behalf of the unanimous court. BorgWarner was delighted with the ruling, saying it “restored fairness to asbestos litigation.” “I just think this applies standards you ordinarily expect to see in other product liability cases,” said Deborah Hankinson, the company’s lawyer. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)
Thu, 14 Jun 2007 22:52:45 +0100 - Asbestos closes baltimore recreation center
The discovery of asbestos floor tiles in a southwest Baltimore publicly-funded recreation center has caused the closure of the center and put many working parents in a difficult position. According to a news report on WBAL Baltimore, the Violetwood Recreation Center, located adjacent to the Violetwood Elementary School, has been closed until further notice and sealed off so as to avoid a public health hazard while officials remove the asbestos. The center, operated by Baltimore City Department of Parks and Recreation, is located near the elementary school’s cafeteria and the removal of asbestos while students are still in school has angered some parents, who claim they were never informed as to the abatement project. The school’s principal claims a letter was sent home earlier this week explaining what was being done at the recreation center. However, most parents couldn’t understand why officials couldn’t wait just a few days until the school year was complete to begin the removal project. “I was kind of upset about it, because first the chiggers (outbreak came), and now the asbestos. The kids only have one more week of school. Why not wait until the kids get out of school?” said Ernestine Jennings, one concerned parent. An infestation of chiggers forced the school the close its doors on May 30. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)
Thu, 14 Jun 2007 22:52:45 +0100 - Crew releases asbestos into air
A destruction crew working on the demolition of an old hotel in El Dorado, Arkansas unknowingly released large amounts of asbestos dust into the air, putting workers and local residents at risk for asbestos exposure. According to the Northwest Arkansas Morning News, the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued an emergency order earlier this week, noting that tests indicated a large amount of asbestos-containing material at the site of the old Hillsboro Inn. DEQ representatives said the material poses an “imminent threat” to the public health. A spokesman for the DEQ pointed out that the inn is located at a major downtown intersection which is often crowded with pedestrian traffic. Environmental officials halted demolition when a complaint reached their office and testing confirmed the presence of asbestos and asbestos dust. The site was not secured to control access or to prevent air dispersal of asbestos, the emergency work stoppage order said. The property owner as well as the demolition contractor and sub-contractor will probably be fined, notes the article. Currently, there are no plans to resume demolition. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)
Thu, 14 Jun 2007 22:52:45 +0100 - Primary omental gastrointestinal stromal tumor (gist): case report
Background: We report herein a rare case of primary omental gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Case presentationA 65 year-old man was referred to our hospital with a huge abdominal mass occupying the entire left upper abdomen as shown by sonography. On computed tomography (CT), this appeared as a heterogeneous low-density mass with faint enhancement. Abdominal angiography revealed that the right gastroepiploic artery supplied the tumor. With such an indication of gastric GIST, liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma or mesothelioma laparotomy was performed and revealed that this large mass measured 20x17x6 cm, arising from the greater omentum. It was completely resected. Histopathologically, it was composed of proliferating spindle and epithelioid cells with an interlacing bundle pattern. Immunohistochemically, the tumor was positive for myeloid stem cell antigen (CD34), weakly positive for c-KIT (CD117) and slightly positive for neuron-specific enolase (NSE), but negative for cytokeratin (CK), alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA) and S-100 protein. A mutation was identified in the platelet-derived growth factor alpha (PDGFRA) juxtamembrane domain (exon 12, codon561) and the tumor was diagnosed as an omental GIST. The postoperative course was uneventful. The patient is treated by Glevec(R) and is alive well with no sign of relapse. Conclusion: Our case demonstrated a weak immunohistochemical expression of c-kit (CD117) and a point mutation in PDGFRA exon 12 resulting in an Asp for Val561 substitution. Imatinib therapy as an adjuvant to complete resection has been carried out safely. Because of the rarity of primary omental GISTs, it is inevitable to analyze accumulating data from case reports for a better and more detailed understanding of primary omental GISTs. (Source: World Journal of Surgical Oncology)
Thu, 14 Jun 2007 11:02:26 +0100 - A preliminary experimental study of boron neutron capture therapy for malignant tumors spreading in thoracic cavity
Background The purpose of the present study is to verify the treatment effects of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) in ectopic tumors implanted in the thoracic cavity mimicking malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Methods The tumor model was created by implanting murine squamous cell carcinoma cells into the thoracic cavity. Mice were sorted into four groups: group I for non-treatment; group II for neutron irradiation; group III for -ray irradiation; and group IV for BNCT irradiation. The antitumor effect was evaluated on the basis of the change in survival time. To assess the effects of BNCT on normal lung, non-tumor bearing mice were treated using the same method as done to the tumor-burdened mice. Results The BNCT group had a longer survival time of 31 days (range 5 – 60), which was significantly longer than that of the non-treated control group (P = 0.011), but not significantly different from that of the neutron and -ray groups (P = 0.067 and 0.094, respectively). In the BNCT and neutron groups, incidence of minimal lung fibrosis was significantly higher compared with the non-treated control group (P = 0.003 and 0.04, respectively). Conclusions BNCT is a potentially promising treatment for malignant tumors spreading in the thoracic cavity such as MPM. (Source: Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology)
Wed, 06 Jun 2007 09:09:49 +0100 - An association between postoperative radiotherapy for primary breast cancer in 11 national surgical adjuvant breast and bowel project (nsabp) studies and the subsequent appearance of pleural mesothelioma.
Page: 294DOI: 10.1097/01.coc.0000256102.40842.78Authors: Deutsch, Melvin MD *; Land, Stephanie R. PhD +++; Begovic, Mirsada MD, PhD [S]; Cecchini, Reena MS +; Wolmark, Norman MD [//] (Source: American Journal of Clinical Oncology - Current Table Of Contents)
Wed, 06 Jun 2007 00:56:47 +0100 - [statistics for the rest of us] ten traps for the unwary in surgical series: a case study in mesothelioma reports
(Source: The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery)
Tue, 05 Jun 2007 23:18:01 +0100 - New study to assess links between asbestos and ovarian cancer
Researchers at the University of Western Australia will examine possible links between ovarian cancer and asbestos. Bill Musk from U.W.A. says most of the information about asbestos related diseases has been gathered from men but the new study will, for the first time, examine the impact on women. Professor Musk says the new research will build on previous studies of workers at Wittenoom, in W.A.'s Pilbara region, as well as studies of asbestos related diseases in the general community. He says women who lived in the former asbestos mining town have higher rates of lung cancer and mesothelioma than the state's general female population. The new study will look at whether the incidence of ovarian cancer has also increased. "Wi... (Source: Cancercompass News: Gynecological Cancer)
Fri, 01 Jun 2007 04:26:00 +0100 - Malignant pleural mesothelioma: current concepts in treatment
Malignant pleural mesothelioma: current concepts in treatment Nature Clinical Practice Oncology 4, 344 (2007). doi:10.1038/ncponc0839 Authors: Athanasios Tsiouris & Robin K Walesby (Source: Nature Clinical Practice Oncology)
Thu, 31 May 2007 10:10:48 +0100 - The risk of mesothelioma from exposure to chrysotile asbestos.
Page: 334DOI: 10.1097/MCP.0b013e328121446cAuthors: Yarborough, Charles M (Source: Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine)
Wed, 30 May 2007 18:42:04 +0100 - Biomarkers for mesothelioma.
Page: 339DOI: 10.1097/MCP.0b013e32812144bbAuthors: Scherpereel, Arnaud a,b; Lee, YC Gary c,d (Source: Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine)
Wed, 30 May 2007 18:42:04 +0100
