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Journal Articles on Mesothelioma: Cancer Information for Patients and Families

Archive for July, 2008

July 30th, 2008. Pathogenesis of malignant pleural mesothelioma and the role of environmental and genetic factors

However, the late stage of MPM diagnosis and the long latency that exists between some exposures and diagnosis have made it difficult to comprehensively evaluate the role of risk factors and their downstream molecular effects. In this review, we discuss the current molecular and genetic contributors in MPM pathogenesis and the risk factors associated with these carcinogenic processes.

July 29th, 2008. Open lung-sparing surgery for malignant pleural mesothelioma: the benefits of a radical approach within multimodality therapy

Conclusion: If a patient with epithelioid MPM is fit enough to tolerate a thoracotomy then macroscopic clearance of the tumour is the preferred option as part of a multimodality regime including chemotherapy.

July 29th, 2008. Malignant Mesothelioma—A Connective Tissue Tumor with Proteoglycan-Dependent Differentiation

The differentiation as well as much of the malignant nature of these tumors is dependent on the expression of surface PGs. The syndecans, however, also translocate to the nucleus for an as yet unknown function.

July 29th, 2008. Targeted therapy–possible new therapeutic option for malignant mesothelioma?

Molecular screening methods have revealed profound differences in the driving mechanisms of the variously differentiated mesothelioma cells. Characterization of these differences has made it possible to identify novel drug targets which are effective for both phenotypes.

July 26th, 2008. A novel concept of treatment of diffuse or multiple pleural tumors by boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT)

In each case, the tumors regressed or remained stable in size for 3–6 months following BNCT. No acute or late adverse events higher than grade 2 were observed.

July 26th, 2008. Carbon nanotubes introduced into the abdominal cavity of mice show asbestos-like pathogenicity in a pilot study

This is of considerable importance, because research and business communities continue to invest heavily in carbon nanotubes for a wide range of products under the assumption that they are no more hazardous than graphite. Our results suggest the need for further research and great caution before introducing such products into the market if long-term harm is to be avoided.

July 26th, 2008. A pharmacologic analysis of intraoperative intracavitary cancer chemotherapy with doxorubicin

Conclusions: Doxorubicin shows characteristics favorable for intracavitary administration with sequestration of doxorubicin in cancer nodules.

July 25th, 2008. Environmental exposure to Libby asbestos and mesotheliomas

Results: These exposures are considered to be of a low degree of magnitude, but are similar to those in Western Australia's crocidolite mine at Wittenoom Gorge. An epidemic of mesothelioma can likely be expected from this type of asbestos contamination over the next 20 plus years.

July 24th, 2008. The comparative accuracy of different pleural biopsy techniques in the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma

Conclusions: Overall, all procedures had utility but definitive diagnostic accuracy for 'blind' closed pleural biopsy was low (16%), dependent on biopsy specimen size and tumour subtype. Sarcomatoid subtype malignant mesothelioma yielded the lowest diagnostic accuracy. For all subtypes of malignant mesothelioma, open pleural biopsy produced the highest diagnostic accuracy (100% sensitivity, 95% specificity).

July 24th, 2008. Primary yolk sac tumor of the omentum: a case report and review of the literature

Conclusion: To our knowledge this is the fourth case of primary omental YST. A review of the literature indicates that the diagnosis of YST requires proper evaluations of tumor makers and a skilled pathologist for analysis of frozen sections.

July 23rd, 2008. Long-term indwelling pleural catheter (PleurX) for malignant pleural effusion unsuitable for talc pleurodesis

Conclusions: An indwelling pleural catheter is a safe alternative for patients with malignant pleural effusion unsuitable for talc pleurodesis. In some, pleural fusion may be achieved.

July 22nd, 2008. Assessment of biomarkers in asbestos-exposed workers as indicators of cancer risk

Subjects heavily exposed to asbestos [>60(ff/cm(3))xyears] showed also a higher level of angiogenic factors. A combination of angiogenic biomarkers with a specific mesothelioma-biomarker such as SMRPs could be used for close surveillance of workers with a history of asbestos exposure.

July 22nd, 2008. A Phase II Trial of Tetrathiomolybdate After Surgery for Malignant Mesothelioma: Final Results

Conclusions: Tetrathiomolybdate has antiangiogenic effects in malignant pleural mesothelioma patients after resection of gross disease, and exhibits minimal toxicity and comparable efficacy to previous multimodality trials. Tetrathiomolybdate should be evaluated for efficacy in combination with standard malignant pleural mesothelioma regimens, as well as for postsurgical maintenance therapy.

July 22nd, 2008. Prevalence and Pattern of Lymph Node Metastasis in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Conclusions: The pattern of nodal metastases may be different from that of lung cancer, and multicenter studies are needed to evaluate this observation.

July 22nd, 2008. Pemetrexed plus gemcitabine as first-line chemotherapy for patients with peritoneal mesothelioma: final report of a phase II trial

Conclusion: The combination of pemetrexed plus gemcitabine was active in patients with MPeM with a notably high incidence of neutropenia. Median TTPD and OS seem promising. This regimen may provide an alternative to standard therapies, especially for patients who cannot tolerate a platinum-based regimen.

July 18th, 2008. Involvement of zinc in taste disturbance occurring during treatment for malignant tumor in the chest and the effects of polaprezinc oral disintegrating tablets (a retrospective study)

0625) in males. Polaprezinc improved taste disturbance in 5 of 8 patients.

July 18th, 2008. Pemetrexed

Addition of folic acid and vitamin B12 significantly reduced the toxicity of pemetrexed, especially hematologic toxicity and gastrointestinal toxicity. Pemetrexed is the expected agent for use in high risk patients, especially elderly or poor performance status patients.

July 16th, 2008. The value of immunohistochemical expression of TTF-1, CK7 and CK20 in the diagnosis of primary and secondary lung carcinomas

Conclusion: Thyroid transcription factor-1 is a sensitive marker for diagnosis of primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma, and differentiation between poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma and small cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Cytokeratin 20 could be a marker for metastatic tumors from the colon to the lung since it was negative in all primary lung tumors.

July 12th, 2008. A phase II multicenter study of L-alanosine, a potent inhibitor of adenine biosynthesis, in patients with MTAP-deficient cancer

Conclusion: At this dose and schedule, L-alanosine was ineffective in patients with advanced MTAP-deficient tumors.

July 11th, 2008. Incidence of atrial fibrillation after extrapleural pneumonectomy versus pleurectomy in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma

The increased odds of having AF after EPP could be due to right heart stress caused by pneumonectomy. Increased right heart stress might not be sufficient to cause AF alone, but may be an important risk factor that warrants further investigation.