Mesothelioma Asbestos Lawyer, DuBose Law Firm, PLLC

Main navigation

You are here: Home / Archives for mesothelioma research

mesothelioma research

Should a Mesothelioma Patient Receive the Flu Vaccine

By

Since there are conflicting opinions on getting the flu vaccine, should a mesothelioma patient receive the flu vaccine? These patients in particular, along with the elderly, young children, and people living with some chronic health issues, should assess the pros and cons of receiving the vaccine.

What do the experts say?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu vaccines given with a needle cannot cause the flu. Even the vaccine given through a nasal spray, though it has a live virus, has been weakened and cold-adapted so it cannot infect a person as it would not survive the body’s warmth. Because there are a number of vaccines available, anyone with health problems should confer with their doctor to receive the correct one.

The CDC strongly encourages everyone to get the vaccine since flu is a serious, and sometimes deadly, disease. The risk of not getting the vaccine is greater than receiving it.

Currently, that means a shot or nasal spray every year as the virus is seasonal. Fortunately, there is a new type of vaccine on the horizon that may mean a vaccine only every few years.

The Universal Flu Vaccine

For decades, scientists searched for a universal vaccine that could eliminate the yearly shot and cover a variety of flu viruses. This is important, not only for patient convenience, but seasonal vaccine development means scientists have to guess what virus may be prevalent in any one year. A universal vaccine could eliminate that problem.

Currently, there are numerous vaccines in various stages of development. The one currently closest to release is the M-001 by BiondVax Pharmaceuticals Ltd. The company has recently enrolled its final participant so it can begin a Phase 3 trial.

Tamar Ben-Yedidia, the chief scientific officer at BiondVax, stated, “A universal flu vaccine is often referred to as “’The Holy Grail’ of influenza research, and like the Holy Grail, it is challenging to achieve.” He also said in a press release, “This challenging trial aims to show the extent to which M-001 protects people against influenza illness, regardless of the flu strain.” The M-001 vaccine is free of all viruses, but instead contains nine viral epitopes – the antibody binding sites on an antigen – which are recognized by the immune system.

Though the M-001 is currently furthest along in trials, all the flu vaccines use similar strategies. They target the least variable parts of the flu virus to produce immunity.

Why Should a Mesothelioma Patient Receive the Flu Vaccine?

As expressed by the CDC, a person with already weakened systems, such as the lungs, is more at risk of harm by getting the flu rather than getting a vaccine. Not only should the mesothelioma victim be vaccinated, but all those people normally around them.

Since a universal vaccine will mean a more successful and targeted answer to various flu viruses, chances of actually contracting the flu will be less. Those with mesothelioma already fight a serious disease and anything they can do to stay healthy will assist in that fight. This universal flu vaccine is one more tool to prolong life and ease the pain and discomfort of this detestable disease.

New Test for Cancer Diagnoses Shows Promise

By

Currently, tests to determine if there are cancer cells in a person take at least a week before getting results, but a new test for cancer diagnoses shows promise with results seen in ten minutes.

What is this test?

This test is based on a discovery by researchers at the University of Queensland’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN). What they discovered is a one-of-a-kind DNA signature that seems to be common to all types of cancer. They found this unique DNA in intense clusters of methyl groups in certain locations.

One of the researchers at AIBN, Professor Matt Trau, explained, “Virtually every piece of cancerous DNA we examined had this highly predictable pattern. It seems to be a general feature for all cancer. It’s a startling discovery.” This discovery was followed by another showing that when these methyl clusters are inserted into a solution, the cancer DNA pieces fold into 3-dimensional nanostructures and, at that point, can stick to gold.

Once researchers found this, they created a test using gold nanoparticles that change color if 3D nanostructures of cancer DNA are present. “This happens in one drop of fluid. You can detect it by eye, it’s as simple as that,” revealed Professor Trau. This is basically the same technology as using strip indicators to test for pregnancy.

Cancer diagnoses benefits found so far:

• Works on all types of cancers tested to date
• Simple – no complicated and expensive lab equipment needed
• Fast – results in 10 minutes
• Portable – eventually could test via mobile phone
• Accuracy – as high as 90% in some cancers

Is there a downside?

This test is new. It is not perfect. Will it give too many false positive diagnoses? Does it truly identify all types of cancer – or were researchers just fortunate in which ones were tested? Only time will tell, but the future appears to be very promising.

What is the future?

This technology was tested on 200 samples using cells from various types of cancers as well as healthy cells, but a great deal more testing is needed before this is generally accepted and available.

The simplicity and affordability of this test could mean life or death for many. Researchers tested their discovery on multiple types of breast cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, and lymphoma – all with good results. Hopefully it will soon be tested on asbestos lung cancer and mesothelioma as a quick diagnosis could accelerate treatment.

Dr. Abu Sina, an AIBN researcher, said, ”It works for tissue derived genomic DNA and blood derived circulating free DNA. This new discovery could be a game-changer in the field of point of care cancer diagnostics.” That is the hope for all and a research worth watching.

Studies Continue in Search of a Mesothelioma Cure

By

Mesothelioma is a disease primarily caused by asbestos exposure and is usually fatal within a short period of time, however studies continue in search of a mesothelioma cure. This is not a simple task, as researchers are still not sure of the reason asbestos fibers encourage cancer in some individuals. With the long latency period between exposure and diagnosis, people will be fighting this disease for many decades to come. That means that new treatments to defeat the disease are urgently needed.

In the past, and currently, treatments often consisted of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery. These have extended the lives of many patients and they still do. However, as noted by the American Cancer Society, there are new studies and treatments that carry the promise that they may do more than extend life for a few months and actually bring about a cure.

What are the latest treatments?

While there are treatments currently in use, they are often limited in their effect and generally extend life a little longer rather than cure the disease. New ideas and studies take place all the time. Some of the newest treatments still under testing are listed below.

Immunotherapy

Clinical trials are underway using a patient’s own immune cells to attack their cancer. These cells are removed from the blood, taken to the lab where they are manipulated to react to tumor cells. They are then put back into the patient’s body through a blood transfusion. The presumption is these transformed immune cells will encourage the patient’s immune system to kill the cancer cells.

One other immunotherapy in trials uses tremelimumab, a drug that encourages the immune system to attack full force as it targets specific immune cells.

Gene therapy

This innovative treatment uses modified viruses and injects them into the cancer cells. Once an infection is created, the virus introduces new selected genes into the cells, which makes the cells easier to destroy. In some tests, the gene present in the virus assists in turning on the immune system to attack the cancer cells.

Virus therapies

Still in the early stages of testing, a specially created virus is put into the pleural space of the cancer cell. In the desired outcome, the virus would directly infect and then kill the cancer cells, or indirectly, the immune system would be encouraged to kill the cancer cells.

Targeted drugs

While chemotherapy has been used for some time but with limited success, there are newer chemotherapy drugs in tests that may do much more. These drugs are targeted to a specific type of cell or protein instead of standard chemotherapy that affects the whole body. This means there are usually fewer side effects.

Photodynamic therapy

While it sounds futuristic, there are a number of clinical trials in process that study the use of photodynamic therapy (PDT). Veins are injected with a light-activated drug. Once in the body, it spreads into cancer cells throughout the body. After a few days, a tube with a special red light on the tip is placed into the chest, usually after a surgery. The drug is activated by the light producing a chemical change that kills the cancer cells. Because all this happens only within the cancer cells, there may be fewer side effects.

Encouraging progress

The knowledge that studies continue in search of a mesothelioma cure should be an encouragement to anyone diagnosed with the disease or who have a experienced extended exposure to asbestos. Contact your doctor or this link to view current trials and, perhaps, find a new trial that interests you. There is hope, and we need to support those who are researching for ways to combat and kill mesothelioma before it continues its deadly toll.

You’re Not Alone: Information on Malignant Mesothelioma Clinical Trials

By

Malignant mesothelioma clinical trials are an option if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with this serious disease. A common misconception says only those people with no other options remaining can participate in a trial. On the contrary, there are trials for people in all stages of the disease.

What are clinical trials?

Before any humans are used in a trial, many years of research have gone into the effects of the treatment – in the lab and on animals. Researchers want to know the effect on the cancer cells and if there may be side effects. Once they think they have a possible treatment, it’s time to involve people in the trial to truly know if this is a treatment worthy of further development.

Each trial is planned in detail by a highly trained expert before anything happens. Why conduct this trial? Who can participate in the trial? How many people? Explicit directions on the drug used, the dose, the timing, and other treatments that may be involved are created. There will also be a plan for all tests that will be performed and the interval between tests. Another important component is to know details about the people taking part and what information will be gathered from them.

Why conduct clinical trials?

It is a fact that many lives have been saved, or lifespans increased, due to the knowledge gained in clinical trials. Not only do trials test the effectiveness of the new drug or treatment, but also the safety. Past trials have found new ways to detect and prevent cancer.

When you, or a loved one, participate in a clinical trial, you are adding to the knowledge that may help you, but may also add to the arsenal of weapons to fight cancer for other patients. Clinical trials are vital for the advancement and future elimination of cancer.

Where are current malignant mesothelioma trials?

There are currently 38 trials specifically geared toward treatment of malignant mesothelioma supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI.) Click here for the list.

Talk to your doctor to determine if any are right for you.

Innovative Study that Inhibits Cancer Metastases

By

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, the National Cancer Institute, and Cleveland Clinic, as well as four other institutions, conducted an innovative study that inhibits cancer metastases through the use of epigenetics.

Epigenetics is the key

Epigenetics is the “study of biological mechanisms that will switch genes on and off.” That is an extremely simplified explanation, but that is the method used by these researchers. In the study, bone cancer (osteosarcoma) cells were halted in their spread to the lungs of mice. This is a major triumph as there is presently no widespread, approved and targeted anti-metastatic therapy for the disease. If metastases is prevented, fatalities from cancers can be reduced significantly.

Peter Scacheri, professor of genetics and genome sciences at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and member of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center stated, “More than 90 percent of all cancer deaths are the result of tumor metastasis, not primary-site tumors. While many of the genes responsible for metastasis have been identified, the mechanisms that control these genes are not well defined. Our findings demonstrate that altered gene-enhancer activity is fundamental to a cancer cell’s ability to metastasize.”

These gene-enhancers, actually short segments of DNA, act like switches to activate genes. This is a necessary process for normal development. There are tens of thousands of these in a single cell! Sometimes, however, the process goes awry and contributes to the formation and spreading of tumor cells. This study showed that the on-off switches of metastasized cancer cells are in different positions than those in the primary tumor.

The experiment to inhibit cancer metastases

The researchers consistently noticed certain bunched groups of enhancers (metastatic variant enhancer loci – Met-VELs) were close to cancer genes in the lung metastases of patients with osteosarcoma. This indicated that were crucial to the metastatic process. They then saw that osteosarcoma cell growth in the lung can be diminished with BET inhibitors (current anti-cancer drugs in clinical trials). These interrupt the Met-VELs function in influencing gene expression. They also found that a certain Met-VEL-linked gene, Tissue Factor (F3), must be present for metastatic colonization. This interruption of signaling and the blood clotting factors of F3 prevented metastasis.

“Our experiments show that removing a single enhancer of the F3 gene in tumor cells virtually eliminates their ability to metastasize in mice,” said Scacheri. “Collectively, our findings establish that enhancer elements endow tumor cells with metastatic capacity and that targeted inhibition of genes associated with enhancer alterations, or deleting altered enhancers themselves is sufficient to block metastatic colonization and proliferation. While our work focused on lung metastasis in osteosarcoma, the findings have implications for other types of metastatic cancer as well.”

The benefits

This experiment changes the way researchers look at stopping cancer metastasis. Most research focused on gene mutation, not how – or even if – specific genes could be turned off or on. Studies in how tumors are formed and the differences in cancer cells versus normal cells has also been a primary area of study – usually in the early stages of a disease. At that point, treatment generally targets primary tumors, not those cancer cells that have traveled elsewhere in the body.

With this study, an entirely new treatment possibility may exist. This may not only affect osteosarcoma metastasizing to the lungs, but may mean the primary tumors of other cancers will be stopped before invading secondary areas of the body. This could be a new way to tackle the spread of mesothelioma and give hope to those diagnosed with this fatal disease.

The knowledge and creativity of scientists and researchers worldwide must be applauded as they continue to develop new and more effective treatments for cancers and other devastating diseases.