Archive for October, 2007
October 11th, 2007. Optimising survival in malignant mesothelioma
Currently, the preferred staging system is the one developed by the IMIG (International Mesothelioma Interest Group), but this requires surgical intervention. Standard treatment is the combination of cisplatin and pemetrexed based on phase III-study evidence, and therapy should be initiated as early as possible.
October 11th, 2007. Role of DNA microarrays in the diagnosis of pleural exudates: a feasibility study
Conclusions: Gene expression study of cells from pleural fluid is feasible but remains difficult, essentially in relationship with RNA weakness.
October 9th, 2007. Alpha-Tocopheryl succinate: Toxicity and lack of anti-tumour activity in immuno-competent mice
Toxicity of α-TOS has not been reported to date perhaps due to a lack of studies conducted in fully immuno-competent hosts. Our results suggest that the translation of animal studies to clinical treatment with α-TOS requires careful consideration.
October 9th, 2007. Retreatment with pemetrexed-based chemotherapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM): A second line treatment option
We present four cases of patients who had durable responses from pemetrexed-based chemotherapy who were retreated with a similar regimen upon progression of their mesothelioma. This case series explores the possible role of retreatment with pemetrexed-based chemotherapy as a second line therapeutic option in MPM.
October 9th, 2007. Gene methylation in pleural mesothelioma: Correlations with clinico-pathological features and patient’s follow-up
In the overall population, methylation did not correlate to patient outcome but a trend to an improved survival was detectable in ummethylated MPM treated with extrapleural pneumonectomy. This result suggests the need to select homogeneously treated and staged patients with MPM to address whether their methylation profile may impact on patient's survival.
October 9th, 2007. Recombinant erythropoietin differently affects proliferation of mesothelioma cells but not sensitivity to cisplatin and pemetrexed
On the other hand, the recombinant cytokine, administered either before or after cisplatin and pemetrexed, failed to interfere with the cytotoxic effects exerted by the chemotherapeutic drugs on the five MM cell lines. According to the presented findings, rHuEpo appears to have an overall limited impact on cell growth and no effect on MM sensitivity to chemotherapy.
October 6th, 2007. Asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma, but not this asbestos exposure: an amicus brief to the Michigan Supreme Court
The manufacturers' sweeping pronouncements are what veer from accepted, reliable mainstream scientific methods and conclusions. This article outlines the evidence supporting the conclusion that asbestos from brakes can and does cause mesothelioma, and describes the defendants' attempts to fabricate doubt about this conclusion.
October 6th, 2007. The value of calretinin and cytokeratin 5/6 as markers for mesothelioma in cell block preparations of serous effusions
Conclusions: The results confirm that calretinin and CK 5/6 are useful markers for mesothelioma in effusion specimens. CK5/6 staining may be less useful for peritoneal fluid specimens where metastatic adenocarcinomas may be more likely to express the antigen. Further study of ascitic/peritoneal specimens is warranted. However, positive staining, particularly for both antigens, is highly indicative of a mesothelial origin for cells. The two markers make a useful addition to EMA and the panel of adenocarcinoma markers routinely applied to effusion specimens.
October 5th, 2007. Malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis: a case report and review of the literature
Despite aggressive surgical and systemic therapy the prognosis remains poor with only rare long-term survivors. We report a case of malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis in 45-years-old and review of the literature is presented.
October 5th, 2007. A microaliquoting technique for precise histological annotation and optimization of cell content in frozen tissue specimens
High yield and quality RNA was extracted from precision annotated, tumor-enriched subsamples prepared by combining individual microaliquots with the highest tumor cellularity estimates. Microaliquoting provides accurate cell content annotation and permits genomic analysis of enriched subpopulations of cells without fixation or amplification.
October 5th, 2007. Primary pleural thymoma with coexistent incidental small hepatocellular carcinoma – An autopsy case report with brief review of literature
This case is reported because of the rarity of pleural thymoma and the coincidental finding of a small hepatocellular carcinoma in a non-cirrhotic background. The literature on these two tumors has been reviewed.
October 3rd, 2007. Mesothelioma of the pleura in the Province of Trieste
Conclusions: In the Province of Trieste the mesothelioma epidemic does not show any signs of abatement. Besides marine work, a variety of other occupations appear to be associated with the tumour in this area.
Posted in Causation, Diagnosis & Differentiation, Epidemiological, Full Archive, Occupational Asbestos Exposure, Pleural, Pleurectomy/decortication, Pneumonectomy, Surgery, thoracoscopy, Type of Assessment:, Type of Mesothelioma: | No Comments »
October 3rd, 2007. Benign Peritoneal Multicystic Mesothelioma Diagnosed and Treated by Laparoscopic Surgery
In this paper, we present the case of a young woman with benign multicystic mesothelioma in which only laparoscopy led to the appropriate diagnosis. Subsequently, the tumor was removed by laparoscopic surgery.
October 3rd, 2007. Apparent spontaneous complete regression of a multifocal malignant mesothelioma of the pleura
This case demonstrates that this tumour may, very rarely, regress spontaneously, with no recurrence for many years. A greater knowledge of the underlying immune mechanisms would aid future management of this and other tumours.
October 3rd, 2007. Phase I and Pharmacokinetic Study of Imatinib Mesylate (Gleevec) and Gemcitabine in Patients with Refractory Solid Tumors
Conclusion: The addition of intermittently dosed IM to GEM at low to full dose was associated with broad antitumor activity and little increase in toxicity.
October 3rd, 2007. The Therapeutic Efficacy of Anti–Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Antibody, Bevacizumab, and Pemetrexed against Orthotopically Implanted Human Pleural Mesothelioma Cells in Severe Combined Immunodeficient Mice
Conclusions: These results suggest that the combined use of bevacizumab and pemetrexed may therefore be promising for controlling the progression of MPM highly expressing VEGF.
Posted in Bevacizumab (Avastatin), Chemotherapy, Determining Efficacy, EGFR, Full Archive, New & Novel, Pemetrexed (Alimta), Pleural, Treatment, Type of Assessment:, Type of Mesothelioma: | No Comments »
October 3rd, 2007. Bortezomib Inhibits Nuclear Factor-κB–Dependent Survival and Has Potent In vivo Activity in Mesothelioma
Conclusions: Inhibition of NF-κB constitutive activation in MMe cells by Bortezomib resulted in in vitro cytotoxicity along with apoptosis and in vivo tumor regression. Our results support the use of Bortezomib in the treatment of MMe and has led to a phase II clinical trial currently enrolling in Europe.
October 3rd, 2007. Prognostic factors in the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma at a large tertiary referral center
Conclusions: In addition to tumor histology and pathologic stage, predictors of survival include gender, asbestos exposure, smoking, symptoms, laterality, and clinical stage. Surgical resection in a multimodality setting was associated with improved survival.
Posted in CT or CAT scan, Determining Efficacy, Diagnosis & Differentiation, Extrapleural Pneumonectomy (EPP), Full Archive, General, Pleural, Pleurectomy/decortication, Staging, Surgery, Survival, Treatment, Trimodality Therapy, Type of Assessment:, Type of Mesothelioma: | No Comments »
October 3rd, 2007. Malignant mediastinal tumor with bone formation–mesothelioma or sarcoma?
However, the tumor grew rapidly and spread to the pleura, involved the heart, and the patient succumbed. This is to our knowledge the first report of a sarcomatous mesothelioma with bone formation from environmental exposure to mineral fibers.
Posted in Carboplatin, Case Study, Chemotherapy, Diagnosis & Differentiation, Full Archive, Pemetrexed (Alimta), Pericardial, Pleural, Sarcomatoid, Surgery, Treatment, Tumor Debulking, Type of Assessment:, Type of Mesothelioma: | No Comments »
October 2nd, 2007. Genetic susceptibility to malignant mesothelioma and exposure to asbestos: The influence of the familial factor
Conclusions: The evaluation of the published materials supports the hypothesis that – although familial clustering of MM is largely attributable to shared asbestos exposure – the additional contribution of factors dealing with genetic susceptibility may play a role in the etiology of MM.
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