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September 30, 2007

Pemetrexed Shows Good Response Rates in PM Patients

At the 14th European Cancer Conference (ECCO) it was reported that Pemetrexed (Alimta), used alone or alongside a platinum agent, has shown a good overall response and disease control rates in patients with peritoneal mesothelioma (PM).

109 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of PM were enrolled onto the trial, each of them receiving either Pemetrexed alone or Pemetrexed plus a platinum agent on Day 1 of each 21 day treatment cycle. We are not told what criteria were used to select patients to each group.

All patients also received the standard dexamethasone, Vitamin B12, and Folic Acid.

Combination treatment was associated with a 20% response rate against the 12.5% in those treated with Pemetrexed alone.

The study was sponsored by Almita manufacturers, Eli Lilley.

Pemextrexed Shows Promise in Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Presented at ECCO

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 09:56 AM |

September 29, 2007

Asbestos Containment Begins in New Hampshire

High levels of asbestos were found in the half acre lawn area between the parking lot and the Nashua River, and adjacent to the library. Environmental Protection Agency site investigators determined that if the asbestos in the soil should ever become airborne by activities such as natural erosion, or mowing, it could potentially threaten public health.

Work to cap this area begins this week.

Asbestos Containment Scheduled to begin at Court Street in Nashua, NH

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 01:50 AM |

September 28, 2007

Acoustic Sensor 'Listens' for Mesothelioma

Researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology have created an acoustic sensor that can report the presence of small amounts of mesothelin as they attach to the sensor.

The sensor works on the simple fact that, when the body tries to fight off the mesothelin with antibodies, the physical properties of the antibodies change due to the attached mesothelin cells. The increased mass of the antibody cell means that sound is 'bounced back' at a different frequency. The sensor is able to pick up these minute changes in frequency.

This means that cancer sensors in the not too distant future could be built as easily and efficiently as wristwatches - and just as cheaply.

New Technology For Cancer Screening Listens For The Signs Of Cancer

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 09:33 AM |

September 27, 2007

Simple Blood Test for Mesothelioma

The Mesomark test from Fujirebio Diagnostics, Inc. (FDI) is the first test of its kind for Mesothelioma patients and has received FDA approval. Put simply, Mesomark allows doctors to monitor patients
diagnosed with biphasic or epithelioid mesothelioma using a simple blood test. The test works by detecting the presence of mesothelin, a biomarker for the disease, in blood serum.

By detecting the presence of mesothelin in the blood, physicians will be better placed to monitor response to treatment and any disease recurrence in mesothelioma patients.

To read more:
Simple Blood Test for Mesothelioma

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 01:20 AM |