The anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) monoclonal antibody avelumab is well tolerated and shows antitumor activity in some patients with previously treated unresectable mesothelioma, according to results from a single-arm trial. "Immune-checkpoint inhibitors result in clinical benefit in a small subset of patients with mesothelioma, but … [Read more...]
Pleural mesothelioma: tackling a deadly cancer
A new study from the University of Pittsburgh has highlighted six factors that are associated with improved survival in patients with mesothelioma; age under 45 years, female, epithelioid histological subtype, peritoneal mesothelioma, stage 1 cancer, and being treated with both surgery and chemotherapy. This knowledge, together with recent reports … [Read more...]
Association between mesothelioma and non-occupational asbestos exposure: systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: The risk of mesothelioma has been shown to be associated with exposure to asbestos fibers. Most of the existing literature focuses on occupational exposure; however, non-occupational asbestos exposure has also been identified as an important risk factor. Objective: To estimate the association between mesothelioma and … [Read more...]
J&J’s Risk From Tainted-Talc Lawsuits Only Gets Bigger in 2019
Johnson & Johnson paid a steep price this year for claims that its celebrated baby powder was contaminated with asbestos. Problem is, 2019 could be even worse. A jury ordered the company in July to pay $4.69 billion to 22 women who blamed the talc-based product for causing their ovarian cancer. The prospect of similar judgments helped erase … [Read more...]
Johnson & Johnson knew for decades that asbestos lurked in its Baby Powder
[ Darlene Coker ] knew that her [ mesothelioma cancer ] arose in the delicate membrane surrounding her lungs and other organs. She knew it was as rare as it was deadly, a signature of exposure to asbestos. And she knew it afflicted mostly men who inhaled asbestos dust in mines and industries such as shipbuilding that used the carcinogen before its … [Read more...]
A Subset of Mesotheliomas With Improved Survival Occurring in Carriers of BAP1 and Other Germline Mutations
Abstract Purpose: We hypothesized that four criteria could help identify malignant mesotheliomas (MMs) most likely linked to germline mutations of BAP1 or of other genes: family history of MM, BAP1-associated cancers, or multiple malignancies; or age younger than 50 years. Patients and Methods: Over the course of 7 years, 79 patients with … [Read more...]