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A New Treatment Doubles Mesothelioma Survival Rates

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A study at the University Hospital of Udine, Italy found that radical hemithoracic radiology, a new treatment doubles mesothelioma survival rates. The patients studied had cancers that were unable to be totally removed with surgical procedures. Mesothelioma patients generally live a year or, more rarely, up to two years. In this study of 108 patients, half were randomly selected to receive the new treatment and half the more palliative radiotherapy. Of those receiving the new, 58% were still living at two years. Of patients who received the more palliative radiotherapy, only 28% were still living at two years.

Mesothelioma and asbestos

The relationship between asbestos and mesothelioma is well known. The fibers from asbestos – smaller than a human hair – can embed in the layers of tissue surrounding the lungs. Not everyone exposed to asbestos contracts the disease, but it’s always a possibility. It’s an aggressive and fatal cancer that can take up to 50 years for a diagnosis. Current treatments are limited, so all new strides deserve a celebration.

Radical hemithoracic radiology a hopeful improvement for survival

Marco Trovo, MD, leader of the study and Chief of the Radiation Oncology Department at the University Hospital said, “There is an urgent need for more effective treatments for mesothelioma. Surgery can be given to these patients, but it is often impossible to remove all of the tumor. Patients with mesothelioma are sometimes given radiotherapy to help control their symptoms. However, radiotherapy has evolved dramatically in the last few years, so we wanted to see if it could now be used to prevent the cancer from spreading to nearby tissue, hopefully bringing improvements in survival.”

About 20% of the new radical treatment patients did develop radiation pneumonitis as a side effect. Professor Umberto Ricardi, President of ESTRO and head of the Department of Oncology at the University of Turin, Italy stated, “This is an extremely positive result that brings good news to patients with this rare and difficult-to-treat cancer. To ensure these patients benefit from this type of treatment, it’s important that they are referred to a specialist cancer centre with the right expertise and equipment to carefully plan and deliver the most effective radiotherapy treatment and manage any side effects that occur.”

New treatment doubles mesothelioma survival

Dr. Trovo said, “This research shows a clear survival benefit in using this type of radiotherapy for [patients with] mesothelioma whose tumors can only partially be removed by surgery. We believe that this should be considered the new standard of care for these patients.”

He believes that even longer survival rates could be made by using the new radiation technique followed by an immunotherapy technique that uses the patient’s immune system to target and fight the cancer cells. Creative scientific studies continue throughout the world with the goal of curing the deadly disease.

First New Mesothelioma Therapy Approved by FDA in Over 15 Years

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The first new mesothelioma therapy approved by the FDA is based on a trial. In this single-arm STELLAR trial, the median overall survival rate was 18.2 months with patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic malignant pleural mesothelioma who received TTF plus chemotherapy. This combination of treatments comprises the NovoTTF-100L System along with pemetrexed and platinum-based chemotherapy for front-line treatment.

History of new mesothelioma therapy

Bill Doyle, executive chairman of Novocure, the developer of NovoTTF-100L stated, “Since 2000, we have been developing and commercializing Tumor Treating Fields (TTF) to extend survivals in some of the most aggressive forms of cancer. FDA approval of NovoTTF-100L provides patients with the first FDA-approved treatment for MPM in more than 15 years and, as our first FDA-approved torso cancer indication, marks a major milestone for Novocure. We are thankful for the patients, caregivers and health care providers who partnered with us to make this possible.”

What is malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM)?

Strongly linked to asbestos exposure, MPM is a rare malignancy. Approximately 3,000 people are diagnosed with MPM each year in the US. This new therapy is welcome news as there was only one FDA-approved therapy prior to the NovoTTF-100L approval. That treatment consisted of pemetrexed plus cisplatin.

In addition to extending life, this new mesothelioma therapy approved by the FDA, is noninvasive, delivering TTF directly to the region of the tumor. No increase in serious systemic wide effects were noted with this new therapy.

Results showed patient overall survival at:
• 21.2 months for epithelioid malignant pleural mesothelioma (53 patients)
• 12.1 month for non-epithelioid malignant pleural mesothelioma (21 patients)
• 62% of those in the STELLAR study were alive at one year.
• Disease control when at least one CT scan was given as a follow-up was 97% (72 patients).

Mary Hesdorffer, NP, executive director of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, said “MPM is a devastating disease, with only 10 to 20 percent of patients being candidates for surgery to remove the tumor. Typically, mesothelioma patients who cannot have surgery receive palliative care to mitigate their symptoms. NovoTTF-100L provides unresectable MPM patients with a treatment option that may improve survival. We are encouraged by the FDA approval and hope it is just the beginning of innovation in the treatment of this aggressive disease.”

Monoliths Added to 9/11 Memorial and Museum Honoring First Responders

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A new installation at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum is called “The Glade” and includes six monoliths honoring first responders. These monoliths symbolize strength and determination through adversity. Some of these granite monoliths weigh up to 17 tons; all pointing upward along a path through “The Glade”.

The Glade honoring first responders

Alice Greenwald, president and CEO of the memorial and museum stated, “‘The Glade’ would also, when completed, be a tribute to the incredible selflessness, determination and commitment of everyone who worked on the recovery here at what was ground zero.”

Many still suffering after 18 years

The museum, located in lower Manhattan, is in “an area of the 9/11 Memorial that is being created to recognize and honor everyone who is now, 18 years after the attack, still living with the consequences of 9/11 – day in and day out,” according to Greenwald.

World Trade Center Health Program

This program was established to provide “medical monitoring and treatment for responders to the September 11th, terrorist attacks at the WTC and related sites in New York City, Pentagon, and Shanksville, PA and survivors who were in the New York City disaster area. The WTC Health Program provides treatment for many health conditions aggravated by, contributed to, or caused by an individual’s 9/11 exposures, including aerodigestive disorders, musculoskeletal conditions, cancers, and mental health conditions.”

These affected people – an estimated 400,000 – were exposed to myriad chemicals and other toxic substances through the dust cloud and in the recovery months after the disaster. Many health consequences may not be discovered until years in the future, such as asbestos-related mesothelioma and lung cancer. This is the reason the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act established the WTC Health Program in 2011.

Health consequences today

“The Glade” project was announced in 2017. At that time, over 77,000 responders and survivors of 9/11 participated in the WTC Health Program. Of those, more than 39,000 already had one or more conditions related to 9/11, and 6,000 plus had a related cancer.

“The Glade” represents to these thousands of victims that their struggle is acknowledged and our country cares for each one of them. Dedication of “The Glade” is planned for May 30, 2019.

Two Decades After Ban, Asbestos Still Kills 5,000 Britons Each Year

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Not surprisingly, two decades after the ban, asbestos still kills 5,000 Britons each year. That’s because symptoms of disease often don’t show up until 20 to 40 years – or more – after exposure. This long exposure time is one of the reasons it is often not recognized as an imminent danger, yet the fibers inhaled many years in the past are poised to show up as lung cancer, asbestosis, or the deadly mesothelioma after the initial exposure is just a memory.

Asbestos still kills 5,000 Britons each year

The long exposure time is only one reason it is still killing after all these years. Though the mineral was outlawed 20 years ago in Britain, asbestos still exists in government, commercial, and residential buildings built before 1999. While not a threat when undisturbed, these buildings often are at an age when renovation, or even demolition, is required. If this work is not done by an authorized abatement company, the possibility of exposure from the dust created is high. To cut corners, renovators and do-it-yourself handymen often skip this critical step and the countdown to possible diseases in the distant future starts again.

The report from the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) verified that people today are still being exposed – often because of non-compliance with regulations. In the past year, over 130 British companies or individuals were ordered to stop work because of rule-breaking.

As Bev Bessinger, IOSH chief executive said, “It is unacceptable that 20 years on from asbestos being banned in Britain, organisations are still potentially putting at risk the lives of employees, their families, and other members of the public. Thousands die in Britain every year from cancers like mesothelioma, while many more are diagnosed with it. All this is preventable through good occupational safety and health. It is time for organisations to wake up and realise how dangerous asbestos is. There are no excuses.”

Dr. Nick Hopkinson, medical director at the British Lung Foundation, reinforced this message by confirming, “Currently the only treatments available are aimed at slowing the progression of the disease and improving quality of life. This devastating disease is preventable, and the dangers of asbestos are well known. It’s vital companies are vigilant and take the proper precautions to protect people from the life-threatening dangers of asbestos, and take urgent action if asbestos has been found.”

Asbestos still kills 15,000 Americans each year

This number of deaths is not acceptable. The United States has not taken the necessary steps to ban asbestos, even though it has been banned in 55 countries. Though some uses are no longer allowed in the US, others are – especially in commercial applications. We know homes and other buildings constructed before the 1980s have a high likelihood of asbestos in areas such as drywall, insulation, siding, roofing, tile mastic, and insulation around pipes. When will the US stop new uses of this deadly mineral?

Brakes on the Toxic Substances Control Act

This act showed promise to finally ban, or strictly control, asbestos as it was identified as one of the ten high risk chemicals set for EPA evaluation. Unfortunately, the ground rules for the EPA’s evaluation under the Trump administration has softened the likelihood of a ban and shockingly, may perhaps even allow new uses of the fiber.

A legacy of death for the future

Like those in the U.K. who work on demolition or renovation of pre-1980 era buildings, workers and their families can be exposed to asbestos if not careful to have suspicious areas checked by an abatement professional. Click here to see a comprehensive FAQ checklist of asbestos products, reporting information, and testing guidelines. Since there is no outright ban, new asbestos-containing materials can still be imported into the US. As seen in the British report, once a ban is in place, people contracting asbestos-related diseases continue for decades into the future. Until importation and new uses are stopped completely, there is no end in sight for the victims of asbestos.

Claire’s Finally Pulled Their Products Containing Asbestos

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Claire’s finally pulled their products containing asbestos when the FDA affirmed the presence of asbestos after testing in 2017 and 2018. Though the removal was voluntary, it occurred only after the FDA issued a warning against the three contaminated products. Since the FDA does not have jurisdiction, they believed this was warranted since Claire’s initially “refused to comply with the FDA’s request, and the agency does not have authority to mandate a recall.” Claire’s steadfastly refuted the FDA’s findings, asserting “the products were “extensively tested by multiple independent accredited laboratories” and “all products were found to be compliant with all relevant cosmetic safety regulations.”

Meanwhile, Frank Pallone, Jr, Energy and Commerce Chairman, stated, “Examples like Claire’s’ refusal to voluntarily recall their asbestos-tainted products demonstrates the need to modernize the current regulatory framework for cosmetic and personal care products to ensure that the FDA can act to protect consumers when industry fails to do so.”

Claire’s finally pulled their products

Claire’s sold the affected products between October 2016 and March 2019. While they are no longer in the stores, some households possibly continue to harbor the three products pinpointed. To check your home, the products are:

• Claire’s Eyeshadows, UPC #888711847165, SKU #84716, Lot No. 08/17
• Claire’s Compact Powder, UPC #888711839153, SKU #83915, Lot No. 07/15
• Claire’s Contour Palette, UPC #888711401947, SKU #40194, Lot No. 04/17

The identifying numbers are found on the price stickers on the product. Batch numbers are found beneath the ingredient lists on the back panels.

The original products pulled from stores in December of 2017 were Ultimate Mega Make Up Set, Metallic Hot Pink Glitter 48-Piece Makeup Set, Bedazzled Rainbow Heart Makeup Set, Rainbow Bedazzled Star Make Up Set, Rainbow Glitter Heart Shaped Makeup Set, Mint Glitter Make Up Set, Rainbow Bedazzled Rectangle Make Up Set, and Pink Glitter Palette with Eyeshadow & Lip Gloss. Again, if these still remain in your home, dispose of them or return the item to the Claire’s store.

For more information

If you want more information, contact Claire’s at 800-252-4737, option 2, from 9:30 AM – 7 PM EDT.