Mesothelioma Cancer BLOG - Cappolino, Dodd & Krebs, LLP » Asbestos

New mesothelioma treatment shows promise

Richard Stone — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:50:52 +0000

Rosetta Genomics, Ltd and the NYU Langone Medical Center recently published a joint study called the “Pro-tumorigenic Effects of miR-31 Loss in Mesothelioma” that suggests that the use of miR-31 might be a viable therapeutic treatment to suppress tumors in mesothelioma patients.

In the study, mesothelioma patients were found to lack miR-31, a microRNA recently found to suppress breast cancer metastases. Introduction of miR-31 to the mesothelioma patients in the study suppressed growth, migration and invasion of cancerous cells.

In the future, therapies involving miR-31 and other microRNAs may add years to the life of cancer patients by slowing the advance of the cancerous cells without damaging healthy tissues. It is important to note that there is often a long wait between scientific studies and marketable therapies approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration for use on patients.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the thoracic cavity. It is linked to occupational asbestos exposure.

Four new cases of mesothelioma among Iron Range workers

Richard Stone — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 19:59:23 +0000

According to a story published in the Duluth News Journal, four news cases of mesothelioma will be added to a University of Minnesota study determining if taconite mining on the Iron Range is linked to the rare cancer.

The new cases bring the total number of former miners diagnosed with mesothelioma to 63, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.

The previous cases spurred the University of Minnesota study, which is also looking at a range of respiratory diseases and diseases associated with silica and asbestos exposure, the Health Department said.

Mesothelioma is a rare, fatal form of cancer almost always linked to asbestos exposure. It can take as long as 40 to 50 years to develop the disease following exposure.

In wake of 9/11, NYC Improves Asbestos Regulations

Richard Stone — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:13:07 +0000

New legislation in New York City will help improve the safety working conditions of thousands of workers. It is being passed in a 12-part series of bills related to the handling of asbestos as well as construction and demolition projects in the hopes of reducing exposure to dangerous asbestos. From now on, demolitions and asbestos abatement projects cannot be performed at the same time. This will keep demolition crews (who do not have the knowledge or equipment to handle asbestos) from being around while asbestos abatement professionals deal with the deadly substance. To make sure that workers are always wearing protective gear, use of matches, cigarette lighters or smoking is now prohibited while a worker is on the same floor of a building where asbestos is being removed. Of course there will also be an increase in asbestos handling education for contractors and workers. Asbestos exposure has been often linked to fatal diseases like mesothelioma lung cancer. It’s about time that New York City did something about their asbestos problem. Since the horror of 9/11, the city has been constantly cleaning up hazardous materials and reconstructing damaged buildings. There has already been enough concern over the health of the average resident breathing in dangerous particles while walking down the street, not to mention the construction workers who deal work in much closer range, sometimes without any protective equipment. These new regulations were a long time coming, but hopefully we will now start to see an improvement in working conditions in New York City.