Strive to be happy- a Mesothelioma journal

Standing with our American friends to help combat mesothelioma

AJW4 — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:49:58 GMT

A short while ago, I was contacted by Susan Vento whose husband Bruce - a serving congressman for the state of Minnesota - died as a result of mesothelioma. Susan is a spokesperson for the Asbestos Cancer Victims Rights Campaign (ACVRC).

Recently in the states, asbestos companies have been using their political influence to introduce a new bill called "Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act" or FACT for short.

ACVRC is justifiably concerned that this act will delay and, in some cases, deny justice and badly needed compensation to people suffering from asbestos-related diseases. It has launched a campaign to fight and defeat this unfair legislation. You can help by doing two things:

1. Sign the petition to stop legislation that threatens cancer victims. Go to http://cancervictimsrights.org/take-action/sign-the-petition/ and follow the instructions to sign the petition at the bottom of the page. Every signature matters!

2. Spread the word by sharing today's post with others who are, or might be, affected by this issue.

An update on the NGR-hTNF and ADI-PEG trials for mesothlioma in the UK

AJW4 — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 09:23:08 GMT

NGR-hTNF
This is a study in second line treatment for patients with advanced mesothelioma who have been pre-treated with no more than one pemetrexed (aka Alimta) based chemotherapy regime. It's currently recruiting in Manchester, Maidstone, Leicester, Northwood, Glasgow, Sutton and London.

The trial involves a weekly 60 minute IV infusion of the agent, either on its own or in combination with another agent. It continues until confirmed evidence of disease progression, or unacceptable toxicity occurs.

ADI-PEG 20

This trial is currently recruiting in Cambridge, Hull, London, Manchester and Southampton, including patients who have been previously treated with a platinum-based chemotherapy regime. To be eligible to take part, you need to be tested to see if you are "ASS-negative".

The trial drug is given weekly for six months.

For more information on both trials search via the UK Clinical Trial Gateway website.

Indian Ginseng and mesothelioma research

AJW4 — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 11:56:05 GMT

As usual we turn more and more to the plant world for all sorts of treatments, a new study suggests that a plant used for centuries in Indian Ayurvedic medicine may be a powerful weapon in the fight against deadly malignant mesothelioma.

The bioactive compound Withaferin A (WA) is isolated from the root of Withania somnifera, a plant in the nightshade family also known as Indian ginseng. A number of previous scientific studies have found evidence to suggest that WA has anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulatory, anti-angiogenic, and anti-cancer properties.

In the latest study, published online in the open-access peer-reviewed journal PLos One, researchers at the Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit tested the compound in live mice (in vivo) as well as in mesothelioma cells taken from human patients (in vitro). Their objective was to determine whether WA would have an effect on mesothelioma cell growth and, if so, the molecular mechanism behind that effect.

The study found that WA inhibited the growth of the murine (mouse) mesothelioma cells as well as the growth of those derived from human patients. The WA seemed to work, in part, by modulating the levels of certain regulatory proteins involved the cell life cycle. WA also suppressed mesothelioma growth by increasing the rate of apoptosis (cell death). Finally, gene-array based analyses found that WA suppressed a number of genes that promote cell growth and metastasis.

In a summary of their findings for PLoS One, the research team concludes “Together, our in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that WA suppresses malignant pleural mesothelioma growth by targeting multiple pathways that include blockage of proteasome activity and stimulation of apoptosis, and thus holds promise as an anti-MPM agent.”

Double-blind, placebo-controlled human trials would have to take place before any WA-based mesothelioma treatment could be sanctioned by the FDA and used to treat patients. As always, patients should consult their healthcare professional before using any type of supplement.

News of a nine year mesothelioma survivor

AJW4 — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 21:58:52 GMT

The case of a German man who has lived more than 9 years with malignant mesothelioma is bringing attention to the drug that may have helped him defy the odds.

The 67-year-old former German asbestos worker who is the subject of a new published report has stable mesothelioma, almost a decade after his initial examination.

Writing on the case in the medical journal Onco Targets and Therapy, doctors at the University of Essen say the patient was treated with a combination of chemotherapy medications including an oral medication called etoposide and an injectable drug called paclitaxel.

Along with these drugs, the mesothelioma patient was also given pegylated liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride by injection. Classified as an anthracycline, doxorubicin has the ability to interrupt communication within a cell’s DNA and prevent replication. According to the National Cancer Institute, liposomal delivery of doxorubicin HCL “improves drug penetration into tumors and decreases drug clearance”, which can increase the length of time that the drug will be effective in the body.

When the German patient had completed his chemotherapy, radiologic evaluation showed that the thickening caused by mesothelioma on his pleural lining had decreased and his symptoms had improved. While the researchers note that the patient’s follow-up is ongoing, regular CT scans indicate that his mesothelioma has not progressed in nine years.

Today, the gold standard for mesothelioma chemotherapy treatment in the U.S. is usually a combination of pemetrexed and a platinum-based drug such as cisplatin. Regardless of the chemotherapy regimen used, the new report suggests that doxorubicin HCL, particularly when delivered in a liposomal form, may have the ability to improve its effectiveness.

T cells bouncing back after chemo good sign for immunotherapy success

AJW4 — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 20:01:57 GMT

Mesothelioma patients whose T-cell counts bounce back quickly after a round of chemotherapy have a better chance of survival. They are also most likely to benefit from the addition of immunotherapy.

That’s the conclusion of a British study looking for prognostic indicators in mesothelioma patients undergoing a combination of chemotherapy.

hemotherapy is the most common first-line treatment for mesothelioma. It involves flooding the body with a drug or combination of drugs designed to destroy cancer cells. Immunotherapy involves “programming” the immune system to recognize cancer cells as foreign invaders and attack them the way they might attack bacteria or viruses.

To devise a prognostic method for mesothelioma patients who might undergo both types of therapies, the scientists looked for longitudinal changes in peripheral T-cell subsets in 40 patients with malignant mesothelioma or advanced non-small cell lung cancer. All of the patients were receiving platinum-based chemotherapy.

The study found the T-cells of all patients were almost entirely knocked out by the 8th day following chemotherapy, but most bounced back quickly and even passed baseline levels. Regulatory T-cells (Treg) have immunosuppressive properties and are the cells responsible for maintaining order in the immune system. In the study, Treg cells were most profoundly depleted by chemotherapy. Mesothelioma patients whose CD8(+)T-cells bounced back the most after a cycle of chemotherapy had the greatest overall survival. A bigger ratio between CD8(+) T-cell to Treg proliferation was also predictive of better outcomes.

Good news scan stable

AJW4 — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 11:49:43 GMT

Good news the scan shows no progression, still have the usual inflamation but no development in anything nasty since the last one six months ago. Here’s hoping everybody elses scan results are as good and thanks to everyone for their best wishes.

We had the usual walk of doom to the appointment, although this time as the weather was so good we left early and walked along the south bank up to Guy’s. Past all the buskers and tourists, it felt slightly surreal to be on our way to a hospital. When we got to London Bridge it all got very confusing because it has been made one way for the olympics, we kept being redirected from where we wanted to walk through by traffic police who said we couldnt get to National Rail that way, in the end we got one who was sympathetic to us saying we wanted to walk through to Guy’s hospital and let us through without a major diversion.

Walking in to the hospital, I got the usual feeling of my brain leaving my body, it’s as though your mind is saying to your body “actually i’d rather not go in here today but please feel free to go on without me”.

The appointment itself was straight to the point, good news from the scan, quick listen to the lungs to confirm fully inflated, quick chat about the pain, which was basically yes it is due to nerve damage, and it may well not improve, so see you in six months for the next PET scan.

We thought time to celebrate, so a few drinks , a meal and then a walk back along the Thames to see the bridges which are all lit up for the London 2012 exhibit called Dazzle.

One more day to scan results

AJW4 — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 09:28:47 GMT

Even more nerve wracking than exam day results, given the stakes involved, puts waiting for your GCSE’s in the shade- no retakes allowed with this one unfortunately.

Have been majoring on distraction techniques the last couple of days, on Sunday we went to the Chelsea Autolegends show – lots of beautiful cars, from old Invictas and Lolas to new Ferraris – lots to look at , but definitely no touching. As well as cars, there were various vintage motorbikes, being Chelsea lots of very well dressed people and rather strangely a parade of bunny girls. Given there was a special exhibition of women in racing, headed up by Jodie Kidd- we got the full range.

Late lunch in Chelsea, where we sat next to an incredibly boring man, who didn’t stop talking for the entire time- his poor dining companion didn’t get a chance to say a word. Then back home to watch the Formula 1 grand prix on iplayer – seeing Lewis Hamilton win another world championship was one of Ray’s initial targets.

Yesterday was a trip to the paralympics equestrian event , who knew watching dancing horses in the dressage freestyle was so therapeutic , followed by athletics in a packed stadium- amazing atmosphere.

Today is MOT day for the car, an afternoon of volunteering at the paralympics for me, and lets see what tomorrow brings. lots of luck to everyone else waiting for their results.

post olympic blues

AJW4 — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 08:32:59 GMT

Well we are now firmly back to earth after a fantastic two weeks – back to bargain hunt rather than the joys of greco roman wrestling and all those other sports in which we have become experts. Making the most of our Olympic tickets was one of our targets, when I booked them Ray never thought he would still be here to actually go- but go we did.

With the end of the sport we have also seen the last of the sunshine for now, hopefully it will return shortly. We did manage to make the most of it , and yes Jan, we definitely got to enjoy a couple of glasses of chilled white wine in the garden.

Ray now has a major project underway of revamping the garage, bearing in mind this is a man very close to all tins lined up facing the same way, you can imagine the trauma of having to reorganise all his work tools. Needs must however as the existing flooring needs to be revamped ( who knew a garage needed so much attention, but apparently it is generating too much dust for the pride and joy that is the LOTUS).

We are now two weeks away from the next scan so the usual storm clouds are gathering on the horizon.

Sad news as Canada prepares to reopen asbestos mine

AJW4 — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 11:02:12 GMT

I’m amazed that for two countries who have access to all the info on asbestos this is actually happening. Firstly that Canada can be exporting something that is banned in their own country. Even more astonishing given the millions the USA is thankfully spending on research into mesothelioma that the use of asbestos actually INCREASED in 2011 by 34%.

Canadian mesothelioma advocates have lost a major battle in their fight against asbestos.Despite months of protests by health organizations, mesothelioma activists, including the Canadian Cancer Society and the Canadian Medical Association, the Quebec government has agreed to extend a loan that will reopen Canada’s largest asbestos mine.

The $58 million dollar loan has been on the table since the Jeffrey Mine in the town of Asbestos closed last year due to financial problems, laying off some 500 workers. The loan had been contingent on raising seed money from investors. The mine’s president estimates that the loan will keep the mine open for at least another 20 years.

While it will put about 400 Asbestos residents back to work, the reopening of the Jeffrey Mine will also put them at risk for mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer and a host of other serious diseases associated with asbestos. The risk may be even greater in the third world countries which import Canadian asbestos, where safety standards are often lax. Ironically, the Canadian media reports that asbestos is rarely used inside Canada and is even being removed from dozens of public buildings, including the Prime Minister’s residence.

At the same time, U.S. mesothelioma advocates, physicians and other experts are gearing up to make their own case against asbestos on Capitol Hill. Among those slated to appear before Congress in late July is Barbara Minty McQueen, the wife of actor Steve McQueen, who died of mesothelioma in 1980. McQueen will join several noted mesothelioma physicians to make the case for a U.S. ban on the use of asbestos.

Mesothelioma advocates have stepped up their efforts to ban asbestos after a U.S. Geological Survey Report showed a 34 percent increase in U.S. asbestos consumption in 2011. So far, the U.S. has refused to ban the substance, which has been banned by all members of the European Union and is considered a serious carcinogen by the World Health Organization.

Immunotherapy shows promise for mesothelioma treatment

AJW4 — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 15:57:02 GMT

A growing number of studies have pointed to the value of unconventional treatments like immunotherapy for mesothelioma.Immunotherapy refers to any treatment protocol which aims to harness the body’s own immune system to fight cancer cells. In a recent article in The Lancet Oncology, two National Cancer Institute researchers summarized some of the most promising immunotherapy approaches now being investigated for mesothelioma:

In dendritic cell-based immunotherapy, dendritic cells are harvested from the patient. Outside the body, these cells are stimulated to activate a cytotoxic response against cancer cells. When they are returned to the body – usually by attaching them to an inactivated virus – the dendritic cells stimulate an immune response against tumor cells (such as mesothelioma) that produce a particular kind of antigen. The cancer vaccine Provenge is an example of dendritic cell-based immunotherapy.

Listera-based cancer vaccines use a live bacterium (Listeria) to carry tumor-specific antigens into cells. The Listeria virus produces certain chemicals that allow it to escape detection in the body until it is inside the target cells, making in a good vector for delivering anti-cancer antigens.

Other vaccines being tested against mesothelioma include allogeneic tumor cell vaccines, which use specially treated cells removed from the mesothelioma tumor itself and returned to the patient and WT1 analogue peptide vaccines. WT1 analogue peptide vaccines seek out certain chemicals that are overexpressed in cancer cells and have been shown to induce T cell immune responses in patients with mesothelioma and non-small cell lung cancer.

As always it is promising to see this research is underway- just need to hang on in there long enough.

A change of scan date

AJW4 — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 11:18:39 GMT

Our first impact of the Olympics, next scan was due end of July but after discussion are putting it back to August once the Olympics have finished and before the paralympics start. Admit I wasnt looking forward to traveling into central London, the tube is expected to be really busy from mid July onwards.

Our second impact is the tickets have been deliverd for rowing and beach volleyball. Now just have to sort out how we get to the rowing centre by 8.30 am !! Sitting here looking at the steady rain , am hoping the weather picks up , or I can see us sitting there in our waterproofs watching some distant dots on the water. When I say us , I mean me, as wont be able to get him out of the house.

Beach volleyball in the rain – it could only be Britain.

NGR-hTNF shows promise in mesothelioma trials

AJW4 — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 10:25:53 GMT

Long-term follow-up on a second-line drug for mesothelioma confirms its potential for prolonging survival.NGR-hTNF is a vascular targeting agent that appears to be able to seek out tumor cells and disrupt their blood vessel formation.

It is currently the only drug in Phase III clinical trials specifically for mesothelioma patients whose disease has returned after chemotherapy. Presenting at the recent meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the drug’s maker, Italy-based MolMed S.p.A., said three year follow-up on Phase II mesothelioma trial subjects demonstrated a definite survival advantage among those who received the drug.

Because it combines a peptide (NGR) with a cytokine (TNF), the NGR-hTNF is classified as a peptide/cytokine complex. In Phase II clinical trials, its effectiveness was evaluated both alone and in combination to treat recurrent malignant pleural mesothelioma. Follow-up on 57 of the Phase II mesothelioma patients showed those who received NGR-hTNF once a week instead of once every three weeks survived longer.

The Phase III trial, aimed at assessing the survival duration of 390 mesothelioma patients, is now in progress. So far, 200 patients have been enrolled. Researchers told the ASCO attendees that the Phase II follow-up results “confirm the validity of the design of the pivotal Phase III study, currently the only ongoing in mesothelioma in 2nd line…”

NGR-hTNF has also been tested for liver, colorectal, small-cell lung and ovarian cancers. It holds orphan drug status in both the U.S. and the European Union for mesothelioma and liver cancer.

making memories

AJW4 — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 19:52:16 GMT

Our Jubilee weekend didn’t exactly go to plan, thanks mainly to the weather. The Lotus is bit skittish in the dry, let alone the wet, there was also the additional worry that if it spends any time sitting out in the rain , it doesn’t always start. We were faced with the prospect of a rather too exciting drive there and a very lengthy trip home with the assistance of roadside breakdown, we therefore went with plan B and the Thames Pageant.

My tip for planning a trip into London when over a million people are due to visit is know your bridges. Being about 4 miles from Hammersmith, having studied the route , we decided that rather than being on the actual route starting at Battersea which was bound to be really busy , we would aim for the other side of the bridge. Watch them mustering before the start where it would probably be less busy and be home in time to see the main bits on the BBC.

First error was was getting way too far up the river , on the wrong side of Battersea bridge. By the time we realised our error amidst a sea of people, it was too late to do much else. The whole embankment was filled with thousands of people, we had a small view of the river, just enough to see the lead boats, in between the Union Jacks being waved. We did hear the bells on the lead boat and there was lots of good natured banter in the crowd as we all danced about trying to keep warm – with lots of very dry humour about the weather!!!

As soon as the lead boats were past , we headed off along the back streets of Chelsea, through one very posh street party , with a great jazz band, people singing and dancing in the drizzle ( at this point you really do have to be British to sit there with an umbrella whilst eating your sandwiches and cakes ). Then up to the V & A just before the rain really started for a cup of tea and a piece of chocolate fudge cake. In the cafe a great pianist was playing.

Suitably revived we headed home via a sweaty tube train, filled with people carrying damp Union Jacks , children with painted faces and unheard of on a tube, talking to each other!!! What ever next!!

Back in time to see the end of the pageant on the BBC at Tower Bridge- so not plan A but a pretty good plan B.

We were there , together, when we never thought we would be back in October 2010. British weather, polite crowds and a chatty tube. It must be Jubilee!

A great day

AJW4 — Fri, 25 May 2012 09:15:48 GMT

A great day

Posted on May 25, 2012 | Leave a comment

We had a great day yesterday, made even more special by the sunshine. We pottered about in the morning and afternoon, sitting out in the garden reading books and having lunch. Then a big sprint to change into our posh outfits as we were off to the Opera.

This was particularly poignant for us as we originally had tickets to go in November 2010. Not mad keen opera fans but we liked to go to one a year in town , so had booked La Boheme, ages in advance. Then of course October we got the news of the mesothelioma diagnosis, pleurodesis followed quickly , so no chance of going anywhere. Given La Boheme is someone dying from a lung disease didn’t think it was the best thing to see, even if he had been well enough.

Luckily as the tickets are so expensive, I was able to cancel and get a credit note that lasted two years. Last night we were able to use that for tickets to Madame Butterfly, which was truly memorable, visually stunning, don’t think I have ever seen anything as beautiful at a theatre.

We had dinner out first and Ray admitted when we cancelled originally he never thought he would ever actually go , that he would still be here to see anything. At the time I got the credit note through I remember wondering if I would be going with Ray and if not whether I could bear to go with anyone else.

Good to see we got there after all- and it was the worth the wait.

Red wine - a treatment for mesothelioma?

AJW4 — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:03:34 GMT

There’s new evidence the component in red wine that has long been known to fight heart disease and some cancers may help do the same for malignant mesothelioma.

Resveratrol is a natural phenol derived from the skin of red grapes. It has been linked to the “French affect” wherein the French appear to enjoy some cardiovascular protection against dietary fat. In recent years, resveratrol has also been the subject of numerous cancer studies. A Korean study represents the first time resveratrol has been tested against mesothelioma. To test the impact of resveratrol on malignant pleural mesothelioma cells, researchers treated cell samples in vitro (in the lab) with 0-60 µM doses, researchers report, “Cell viability was decreased and apoptotic cell death was increased by resveratrol.”

The impact of resveratrol was equally promising in lab mice. In summarizing their results the Korean team concludes, “Our results strongly suggest that Sp1 is a novel molecular target of resveratrol in human malignant pleural mesothelioma.”

So an extra glass of red wine tonight it is!