Combining tumor treating fields (TTFields) with standard chemotherapy could be a promising option for the first-line treatment of inoperable malignant pleural mesothelioma, say the STELLAR investigators. They explain in The Lancet Oncology that TTFields are “a non-invasive, regional, antimitotic treatment for solid tumours, that is based on the … [Read more...]
Recall: FDA Sees Trace Asbestos in J&J Baby Powder
A shipment of baby powder has been recalled by Johnson & Johnson after U.S. authorities found asbestos in it. The recall comes after months of denial from the company about the presence of the cancer-causing substance in its talc-based products, The New York Times reported [October 19, 2019]. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration … [Read more...]
Survival results in biphasic malignant pleural mesothelioma patients: A multicentric analysis
Objective: The best strategy of care for biphasic malignant pleural mesothelioma (Biph-MPM) is controversial. In this study, a large dataset of Biph-MPM cases was reviewed to identify prognostic factors and to evaluate the role of a multimodal approach, including cancer-directed surgery. Methods: A total of 213 patients with Biph-MPM treated … [Read more...]
Intracavitary cisplatin-fibrin chemotherapy after surgery for malignant pleural mesothelioma: A phase I trial
Objectives: Intracavitary chemotherapy is a promising concept to improve local tumor control for malignant pleural mesothelioma with reported high morbidity rates. We have demonstrated that administration of cisplatin loaded to fibrin increased local drug concentration and reduced systemic toxicity in preclinical models. We present a phase I trial … [Read more...]
Owkin’s mesothelioma AI discovers new biomarkers from lung biopsy images
By scanning thousands of tissue samples, [ Owkin's mesothelioma AI program ] was able to help identify new types of patients with mesothelioma and predict which may respond better to certain therapies. Using whole biopsy slide images taken from nearly 3,000 patients with the aggressive and potentially fatal disease, [ Owkin's mesothelioma AI … [Read more...]
Mesothelioma trial suggests immunotherapy as an alternative to chemotherapy
Patients with mesothelioma may gain similar benefit from immunotherapy as chemotherapy, and good responders may provide important clues to novel treatment for the thousands of new cases each year. Data from the PROMISE-meso trial presented at the ESMO Congress 2019 highlight the need to understand the biological mechanisms whereby mesothelioma, … [Read more...]