Chemical in Wine May Improve Mesothelioma Treatment

Chemical in Wine May Improve       Mesothelioma Treatment   

There’s new evidence that a compound found in red wine may help improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Last year, a team of Korean researchers released the world’s first study on the mesothelioma-fighting power of resveratrol, a natural phenol derived from the skin of red grapes and found in red wine and grape juice. Now, the same team says resveratrol also appears to enhance the chemosensitivity of malignant mesothelioma cells.    

  

Study author Yoon-Jin Lee and colleagues discovered a synergistic cancer-fighting effect in mesothelioma cells treated with both resveratrol and clofarabine, a prescription drug often used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia. 

Together, resveratrol and clofarabine “induced a strong cytotoxic effect” by influencing levels of the tumor suppressor, p53. The combination caused p53 to accumulate in the nuclei of mesothelioma cells, triggering a higher rate of apoptosis (cell death), but did not affect normal mesothelial cells. The team summarized their findings in Food and Chemical Toxicology: “These results demonstrate that resveratrol and clofarabine synergistically elicit apoptotic signal via a p53-dependent pathway.” They go on to say that the study provides a “scientific rationale” for using resveratrol to improve chemotherapy in malignant mesothelioma. In the first study on resveratrol and mesothelioma in 2012, the researchers treated mesothelioma-infected lab mice with 20 mg/kg of resveratrol daily for 4 weeks. 

The treated mice experienced suppressed tumor growth and increased mesothelioma cell death. Although the researchers stop short of recommending red wine as part of a mesothelioma treatment regimen, their results do suggest that resveratrol may eventually be incorporated into treatment of this rare but aggressive cancer. About 2,500 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year. In Korea, where rates remain high, mesothelioma incidence is not expected to peak until 2045. Important: If you are interested in taking resveratrol or incorporating it into a treatment regimen be sure to speak to your doctor.

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Veterans and Asbestos Exposure

 

Military servicemen and women deserve our respect. Sadly, though, many veterans were exposed to asbestos throughout their service to the United States. Asbestos was once utilized in many industries from construction to shipyards, although it is now mostly banned. This is because we finally realized the dangers of asbestos exposure. To fully understand the scope of asbestos usage, it is important to know why it became so popular. While asbestos was used by ancient Greeks and Romans, it fell into partial obscurity until the Industrial Revolution. With the advent of hot machinery and rise of electricity, people needed a substance that would insulate against heat and other such things. Asbestos fit that need. Asbestos is a mineral that is part of the silicate family. 

The silicates are known for their ability to insulate against different forces. As a silicate, asbestos is resistant to heat, flame, chemicals, electricity, and biodegradation. Additionally, asbestos has some useful characteristics of its own. It is flexible and has high tensile strength, which means that it is easily added to a number of different materials. Thus, it’s no surprise that asbestos found such large popularity with the rise of machinery. It found a niche in the construction industry, the automotive business, even the shipyards. It’s because of this last industry that people who served in the United States Navy were exposed to asbestos. Both people who built Navy ships and worked in Navy ships suffered from intense exposure from this material. Although we now know that this substance is a carcinogen, it was not something recognized by the U.S. armed forces for most of the 20th century. 

In fact, the government actually ordered

the use of asbestos throughout ships in order to protect the crewman from fires and other such accidents on board. However, instead of possibly suffering from burns or smoke inhalation, these servicemen and women are now at risk for serious cancers like mesothelioma and lung cancer, among others. Due to the close quarters, poor ventilation, and other containment aspects of ships and submarines, it’s no wonder that asbestos in the air became such a problem. It is when asbestos becomes airborne that it becomes hazardous. From here, people can inhale the microscopic fibers that can become lodged in their lungs. Also, some people can get the fibers in their mouths, which they can then swallow.

Ingested fibers can become caught in the esophagus and stomach, contributing to cancers like that of the esophagus and throat. Unfortunately, many veterans do not have access to the healthcare that they need to treat asbestos-related diseases. However, the lawyers at Williams Kherkher are here to help. If you or someone you know are a veteran in need of asbestos-related healthcare, contact an attorney at Williams Kherkher today to fight for your rights.

Asbestos Exposure at the Boston Naval Shipyard

 

Located in Charlestown, Mass., the Charlestown Navy Yard was among the first shipbuilding sites in the nation. It operated from 1801 to 1974, and has been known as the Boston Naval Shipyard since 1945. Like many other shipyards across the country, the Boston Naval Shipyard used asbestos.

The Secretary of the Navy opened the shipyard to construct ships for the country’s defense and to repair those that had been damaged. The USS Independence was the first vessel built at the Boston Naval Shipyard, and many other Navy ships followed. Destroyers, submarines, destroyer escorts, barrack ships, tank landing ships and motor tugs were among the ships constructed at the Boston Naval Shipyard. The shipyard was also commonly used to repair and store ships.

The Boston Naval Shipyard was active during several different wars, including the Spanish American War, World War I and World War II. During the Second World War, the shipyard employed a record-high 50,000 workers. This was mostly in response to an array of attacks from German submarines that destroyed and sank countless naval vessels.

Throughout its history, the Massachusetts shipyard employed a variety of workers including shipbuilders, plumbers, machinists, electricians, sail makers, blacksmiths and carpenters. Unfortunately, many of these workers may have been exposed to the toxic mineral asbestos. Asbestos refers to a group of six minerals that were widely used for their heat resistance and insulating properties. Because of this, asbestos was used in many industries, including shipbuilding, from the late 1800s until its ban in the late 1900s. When products containing asbestos are damaged or disturbed, tiny asbestos fibers are released into the air and can be inhaled into the lungs. Eventually, these asbestos fibers can cause serious illnesses, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.

The Boston Naval Shipyard used asbestos extensively during shipbuilding, particularly after it began utilizing steel and metal for hulls and various other parts. According to the U.S Navy, nearly 300 asbestos-containing products were used regularly in the shipbuilding process. Although the health effects of asbestos were recorded as early as the 1920s, those working with the mineral were unaware of its dangers until the mid to late 1900s. As a result, shipbuilders, Navy veterans and naval contractors, among others, may have been exposed to asbestos fibers in dangerous amounts. Although the Navy banned asbestos use in 1973, many workers had already been exposed to the harmful mineral.

In 1974, the Boston Naval Shipyard was closed down as part of a government cost-saving plan. As the dangers of asbestos became public in the 1970s, any asbestos products left behind at the shipyard had to be cleaned up and removed properly. Several acres of the Boston Naval Shipyard are now part of the Boston National Historical Park.

A mesothelioma law firm, The Shepard Law Firm represents mesothelioma victims and their families throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Rhode Island. If you or a loved one has developed mesothelioma, contact the mesothelioma attorneys at The Shepard Law Firm for a free legal consultation.

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Mesothelioma Law Firm

There are very many mesothelioma law firms around and the main reason why they specialize in these particular cases is the huge return the cases can fetch. Others might be genuinely out there for the compassion of mesothelioma victims but, they are limited. Firstly though, mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the protective lining of the heart, lungs and abdomen. The known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. This is a natural mineral that has very many industrial uses mainly because of its heat and fire resistant qualities. It is known to lodge in the system when inhaled where it can stay there for many years where finally it causes the emergence of a disease. It has no scent and its fibers in the air are microscopic. Therefore mesothelioma law firms are relevant in the following way.

 

 

 

Firstly, the companies that employ workers to work exposed to asbestos have a case to answer because they have a moral duty to inform workers. They are therefore directly responsible for the illness in their worker. When a mesothelioma victim decides to file a suit against the company, they need to have the representation of good lawyers who can be found in a good mesothelioma law firm. Some of the workers who might be at risk to asbestos exposure include miners, millers, shipyard workers, building construction workers and others. With the serious realization of the dangers posed by asbestos, strict legislation have been put in place to ban certain types of asbestos and also there are restrictions on the amount of asbestos exposed to workers.

Also, workers who are close to asbestos have protective cloths and equipment to protect then from the substance. When they leave work, most workers take a shower and change cloths to avoid contaminating their families. When you suspect that you might be suffering from mesothelioma, you need to visit a doctor for a diagnosis. If you have the disease, you need to take time and look for a reputable mesothelioma law firm which will have good lawyers. They should have some experience in this kinds of cases. They should not live very far from where you are located so that you can reach them with minimal cost. The mesothelioma law firm should be legal and licensed to practice law in your particular state or country. They should give you more information on the cases they have been able to resolve.

 

On the internet, you will find very many mesothelioma law firms advertising themselves and you should not just take them at face value. You need to contact them and visit their offices to get a first hand feel of what they are all about. Many firms will be literally fighting for your case and you do not have to hire the ones who are first make a perfect pitch. Firstly, you need to know that they can represent you and win the case. You should discuss on the attorney fee before you hire the lawyer from the law firms. Usually, the most common way of payment is through a contingency basis and this means that they will be paid when you win the case. There is no doubt that with the right lawyers on your side, you are certain to get your deserved justice will be served.

What Is a National Mesothelioma Law Firm?

If you or someone you love has an asbestos related disease such as mesothelioma and you want to hold the company that was responsible for causing the disease accountable for their actions then you should consider hiring a national mesothelioma law firm to represent you.

The job of any mesothelioma attorney essentially is to ensure that you and the ones you love get the best available legal help with the least intrusion in your day-to-day life. A national mesothelioma law firm may be better at making that happen.
Once someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma their lifestyle is inevitably altered. The patient, unfortunately, often becomes increasingly more ill as the amount of pain and discomfort they experience simultaneously increases.

Because of this many mesothelioma patients find it difficult, if not impossible, to work.
As a result, medical bills often start to pile up as the mesothelioma victim’s income decreases. When a mesothelioma law firm is hired to pursue litigation the firm often seeks a financial award from the court that will take care of medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and more.
Most law firms that represent the victims of mesothelioma work on a contingency basis. This means that their clients do not bear the brunt of any out of pocket expenses associated with their case. The law firm will only get paid if there is a successful resolution of the case – either by an out of court settlement or a courtroom ruling in their favor.

Only after money is awarded will the mesothelioma law firm receive their fee. Then they will get a predetermined percentage of the money.
As the plaintiff, you or your loved one will have to decide which firm should represent you. You could choose either a local firm or a national mesothelioma law firm.
Although there are a lot of advantages to choosing a national firm, it all boils down to being able to who can get you the maximum amount of money that you are entitled to?
A national firm has actual offices in most of the states and also has relationships with other law firms in many of these states. These offices and relationships can help them to better represent their clients.

Don’t be fooled by advertising. It is quite easy for a law firm to put a commercial on television that claims it is a national mesothelioma law firm – whether it has offices throughout the United States or not. Therefore it is very important that you make sure that the firm you hire has an office near you, as well as in other key states.

Because Delaware is the corporate home of many asbestos companies you want to make sure that your law firm handles cases in Delaware. Also, since California and Illinois are key states that highly value the plaintiffs’ interests in asbestos related injuries, your law firm should be able to handle cases there as well.

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Micro-RNAs May Offer New Way to Fight Mesothelioma

Micro-RNAs May Offer New Way to Fight Mesothelioma

Posted on Friday, November 25, 2013. 

Scientists at one of the world’s top mesothelioma research centers, the Asbestos Diseases Research institute in Sydney, Australia, say that restoring the expression of certain micro RNAs in the cells of mesothelioma patients may offer a new way to fight the disease. A microRNA is a small RNA molecule which is involved in the regulation of gene expression. According to a new report in the Annals of Oncology, the Australian scientists found reduced expression of the micro RNA-15 family (miR-15/16) in the cells of mice with mesothelioma. “When malignant pleural mesothelioma cell lines were compared with the normal mesothelial cell line MeT-5A, the downregulation of miR-15/16 was 2- to 10-fold,” they report. This finding is consistent with previous cancer research that has suggested a link between the expression of these tumor-suppressing RNAs and other types of cancer. 

The next step was to determine whether restoring miR-15/16 inside cells could help the body to fight mesothelioma. To test this, researchers injected synthetic miR mimics packaged in “minicells” into the mesothelioma-bearing mice.

The results were encouraging. Not only did restoring miR-15/16 expression inhibit the growth of mesothelioma cells, but it also appeared to make them more sensitive to chemotherapy with pemetrexed and gemcitabine, two of the most popular first-line drugs for mesothelioma. According to the report, injections of the miR-15/16 mimics led to “consistent and dose-dependent inhibition of malignant pleural mesothelioma tumor growth”. The team concludes that this miRNA-targeting method may offer a new way to combat this aggressive cancer.

Mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, is a major problem in Australia, which has one of the highest rates of the disease in the world. Because the early stages of the disease usually occur years after exposure and produce very few symptoms, mesothelioma is often not diagnosed until it is in its advanced stages, making treatment even more challenging. Australia has banned the mining, use and importation of asbestos products, but continues to pay a heavy price – in the form of mesothelioma, asbestos and other diseases – for decades of asbestos use.  

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Value of Mesothelioma Surgery Challenged for Healthy Patients

Value of Mesothelioma Surgery Challenged for Healthy Patients

Posted on Friday, November 25, 2013. 

New research conducted in Italy and presented at the 15th World Conference on Lung Cancer in Sydney, Australia suggests that mesothelioma surgery – no matter what kind – may not offer a survival advantage over medical management for the healthiest of patients. Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive malignancy that is highly resistant to standard cancer treatments. The two types of mesothelioma surgery considered to be options for people with resectable cancer are pleurectomy decortication (P/D) or extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP). While EPP is more radical than P/D because it involves removing a lung, both carry a heavy risk of complications and, according to the Italian researchers, may not be of value for certain patients. 

The study reviewed data from 1,365 consecutive patients with histologically confirmed malignant pleural mesothelioma. These patients were all treated between 1982 and 2012. Of the 1,365 patients, 503 were treated with surgery. The P/D procedure was performed on 202 patients and EPP was used to treat the other 301. Some of the surgical patients also underwent chemotherapy for their mesothelioma while others did not. 

In order to be considered eligible for surgery, patients had to have good prognostic factors and be in overall good health. The patients who did not undergo mesothelioma surgery either had just chemotherapy (172 patients) or best supportive care (690 patients), the goal of which is symptom management only. All patients were followed for a minimum of a year, unless they died before the year was up. 

At first glance, it appears as if the patients who had surgery had better outcomes than those who did not. Mesothelioma patients who had palliative care or chemotherapy alone had a median survival of 11.7 months, the P/D patients had a median survival of 20.5 months, and the patients who underwent the more radical EPP operation had a median survival of 18.8 months. But when the numbers were compared among the patients with “favorable prognostic factors” only, the three groups had similar survival rates, each within 1 to 3 months of the others. It appears that having such favorable factors as younger age, confined tumor area, and overall good health bodes well for survival no matter what kind of treatment a patient has.

“Our data suggest that patients with good prognostic factors had similar survival whether they received medical therapy only, P/D or EPP,” the authors reported to lung cancer experts attending the Sydney conference. Because the study suggests that mesothelioma surgery provides only modest benefits, the researchers recommend further investigation of the subject in a large, multicenter, randomized clinical trial.