Mesothelioma is a serious, life threatening cancer that has a low survival rate and can be quite painful. It is also one of many cancers that show no
outwards sighs until the disease is well progressed and irreversible. What causes this horrendous disease? Asbestos. If you or a beloved family
member has been exposed in any way to asbestos, then you must get a mesothelioma diagnosis as soon as possible. The cancer, which eats at the
lining that covers the organs (mesothelium) and is usually found in the chest area or pelvic regions, usually shows no symptoms until it is much too
late to do anything about it. Early mesothelioma diagnosis is critical to adding years to your life. Sadly once one develops mesothelioma, there is no
cure, however, medical science can give you the precious time you otherwise would not have if you catch the disease in its beginning stages. A
mesothelioma diagnosis is crucial to achieving that goal. If you have seen a qualified physician and obtained a recent mesothelioma diagnosis, you
should hire an experienced mesothelioma attorney to fight for you and your family’s rights. Dealing with any cancer can be time consumptive and
financially draining. As you try getting your health back on track, your savings and monetary reserves can and will get depleted. Meanwhile, the very
people who caused your issues could be literally getting away with murder. Most companies that used asbestos, which has the primary carcinogenic
agent that causes mesothelioma cancer, knew about the potential health risks. This makes them criminally liable and to open to lawsuit. Your
mesothelioma attorney will go over your case with you, educating you on what your rights are under the law. The company lawyers will try to bully
you if you go it alone, offering a settlement that will barely pay for the costs of your very important tests. They will also try to mislead you, making you
believe that you really don’t have a case, when the very opposite is true. Your mesothelioma attorney knows the laws and can make them play fair. A
mesothelioma diagnosis can have a devastating impact on your life. Great representation can mean the difference between a few hundred dollars and
millions. Don’t let you or you family get shortchanged! Hire a competent mesothelioma attorney and protect you and your family’s future. They may
give up hope and feel that they should just be allowed to die so that they do not burden anyone. However, there are treatments available for
mesothelioma symptoms, and while the quality of life might be somewhat diminished, there is still hope for these individuals to enjoy the time that they
have left. In addition, some of these individuals are younger - they were the children of those that worked with asbestos, and they picked up the
disease from exposure to their parent, who often feels guilty. A mesothelioma diagnosis is not the victim’s fault, and a good mesothelioma attorney can
ensure that he or she sees that as the truth. In addition, they can work with family and friends to help them through the difficulties that a lawsuit might
present. When a mesothelioma attorney is located and the victim feels comfortable with that person, it is usually a good indication that he or she has
found the ‘best’ lawyer for the case. Experience and education are important, of course, but the skills and abilities that a person has are not always
evidenced by the education that he or she has gotten, or how many cases that individual has worked on, so an individual with should choose an
attorney that seems like the best fit for the case.
Mesothelioma Attorney Fights For Your Rights!
Asbestos Related Mesothelioma Cancer : Blood Test
Asbestos Cancer Mesothelioma is a nasty disease to take a lot of lifes each year, many people concentrate their shot into know o find out an alleviate for this disease, and in other lucrative position of the asbestos, such as money compensation.
However, last researches to cape out that a blood assess could help broadcast for pleural mesothelioma by checking the blood for high levels of a protein called osteopontin, because blood esteopontin levels swelling dramatically in the early stages of pleural mesothelioma, this kind of canker is a deadly asbestos connected illness.
The pleural mesothelioma is a sporadic disease of the lining of the lung and chest cleft that is commonly cancerous, the instigate is asbestos exposure and it could take 15 to 35 time to extend the disease, from the time of asbestos exposure.
The above exposure could be complete with the substance or flash hand with a family associate who's clothing or skin approved the asbestos into the home. Obviously in the last basis the development of the disease could take more than 35 living.
To say, the pleural mesothelioma was so fractious to find its in early, high mortality measure and a life expectancy of few months, but with the new blood analyze there are superior percentage of probabilities to sense this kind of menace, moreover its can sense or reveal other kinds of asbestos related tumor. Nevertheless in the letter container the findings ought spread analysis, other kind of sarcoma to could be early detected for osteopontin blood assess is for order "Ovarian Cancer."
So, the earlier to pleural mesothelioma menace is detected, the better and if you want to know how to do it, a blood test could be very expedient in this issue, and don´t disregard it, "Osteopontin."
A Brief Overview of Mesothelioma
Nowadays there is a lot of discussion all over the world, both offline and over the Internet, about mesothelioma. In the USA, there are mesothelioma awareness groups in almost every city in the USA. Besides discussion forums, mesothelioma lawful cells, mesothelioma forums, mesothelioma awareness groups etc., today mesothelioma study is a very immense focus. There is even a Mesothelioma Memorial Scholarship that is untaken every house. This scholarship is given in remembrance and tribute of those that have been touched by mesothelioma. Billions of dollars have been useless in demanding to skirmish this dreaded disease and find a medicine. Let us arise by asking this minimal distrust - what is mesothelioma?
What is Mesothelioma?
Asbestos and mesothelioma are infamously allied. Mesothelioma is a form of menace that affects people who have been exposed to asbestos. It is an unusual form of sarcoma, and affects only those people who have had a chronicle of exposure to asbestos, not others. However, there can be slighter luggage, where an anyone may come into contact with superstar who has been exposed to asbestos in the chronicle. The key to mesothelioma, as is apparent here, is exposure to asbestos.
The important instigate of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Once the serene has inhaled asbestos dust/fibers, other factors like smoking can magnify the prepare over a cycle of time. There can be other causes of mesothelioma too. For example, there have been suitcases diagnosed where the unwearied has had no saga of asbestos exposure. People can get it from people who have had asbestos exposure. Before we proceed auxiliary, let us name mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma definition: Mesothelioma is clear as is an uncommon form of tumor, usually associated with earlier exposure to asbestos. In this disease, nasty (cancerous) cells polish in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's home organs. Malignant mesothelioma cells proliferate at the unnatural sphere, and are generally very hard to delete totally.
Mesothelioma came to be broadly known about only from about the 60s, when the symptoms happening manifesting, and mesothelioma luggage were diagnosed. Across America, for people actual at facilities that were asbestos-allied, it became a nightmare. This was more because at that time, asbestos, because of the number of advantages it had over other metals, was generally worn across industries all over the world. It was a tragedy of epic proportions waiting to be unleashed, and when it was unleashed, it formed havoc in the lives of people all across America. Thousands entranced their lives to mesothelioma, and even now, thousands more last to wrestle this dreaded disease.
Even today, more than 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the USA. Today, mesothelioma victims and their relatives struggle to handle with the disease. For survivors of mesothelioma official action against the industries that brought this disease on them has been one way of exorcising the menace and agony they have had to undergo. For several victims of mesothelioma lawyers have been able to drop cases successfully. There are mesothelioma pillar groups to help mesothelioma victims and their relatives survive with life in the significance of the disease. There are websites like www.mesotheliomaweb.org, www.mesothelioma.com, www.blight.gov, etc.
Mesothelioma is considered really lethal for several reasons:
. Mesothelioma diagnosis is often very minute. It manifests in a, someone being after exposure to asbestos, while 15 to 20 living.
. While the gestation spot is very long, as mentioned above, the exposure time is awfully brief, as fewer as two to three months. This means that a persona doesn't even have to have prolonged exposure.
. The mode lifetime of an anyone, after diagnosis, is very sharp, around 24 months.
. It affects not only a being exposed to asbestos; odds are that he can qualify on the asbestos dust or structure to his near and dearest ones as well.
Types of Mesothelioma
Primarily, mesothelioma occurs in three areas, based on which mesothelioma is categorized into:
. Pleural mesothelioma (mesothelioma of the pleura, the external lining protecting the chest void as well as the lungs)
. Pericardial mesothelioma (mesothelioma of the pericardium, the sac enclosing the empathy)
. Peritoneal mesothelioma (mesothelioma of the peritoneum, the lining protecting the abdominal opening)
Based on the types of cells seen in a mesothelioma serene, mesothelioma can again be categorized into 3 types:
. Epithelioid mesothelioma (about 50 to 70 percent of all mesothelial cells)
. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma (slightest usual mesothelioma sect letters, about 10 to 15 percent)
. Biphasic mesothelioma. (about 20 to 40 percent of all mesothelial cells)
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
The symptoms of mesothelioma depend on the kind of mesothelioma an enduring may have. If an unwearied anguish from hateful pleural mesothelioma, he would generally feel a soreness in the chest royal, accompanied with shallow breathing. These symptoms happen owing to the deposition of fluid in the pleura.
Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms differ with those of pleural mesothelioma. In the holder of contained peritoneal mesothelioma, the symptoms compose:
. Fever
. Difficulties in bowel schedule
. Anemia
. Abnormalities observed during blood clots
In the argument of complex peritoneal mesothelioma, the symptoms would more include menace, a swelling of the face or the stem, and difficulties in intake.
Mesothelioma symptoms mostly map to those of other, slighter profound ailments. Therefore it is sensible to consult a specialist to ensure what the symptoms denote.
Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Mesothelioma diagnosis is not a painless charge, as the symptoms map to other minor ailments, as mentioned above. The first pace to diagnose mesothelioma is an analysis of the unwearied's medical history. It is important to know if the serene has had any illnesses whose symptoms mesothelioma too displays. At this time, it is also important to know if the tolerant has had former exposure to asbestos. If the enduring hasn't had any illnesses displaying the symptoms connected to mesothelioma, and has had exposure to asbestos, then there can be hunch of mesothelioma.
It is important to do a complete objective examination of the enduring, plus x-heat, CT scans, and MRIs. The focus would mostly be on the abdominal and chest regions. If there is anything suspicious at the end of these examinations, it is advisable to do a biopsy.
A biopsy is commonly done by a specialist, moreover an oncologist or a doctor. Biopsy involves charming a bandanna test from the serene and subjecting it to aspect tests to clarify the company or absence of mesothelioma. Biopsy in the reason of mesothelioma can be:
. Thoracoscopy (done by pleasing bandanna samples from inside the chest district, with a thoracoscope)
. Peritoneoscopy (done by pleasing tissue samples from the abdominal borough, using a peritoneoscope)
Once the diagnosis is made, it is vital to learn the theater at which mesothelioma has been detected. Depending on whether the scourge is still at the unusual place or whether it has widened to other parts of the body, the mesothelioma can be called:
. Localizing (still at the original site)
. Advancing (daub to other parts of the body)
Mesothelioma Treatment
Mesothelioma treatments adapt depending on the type of mesothelioma, as also the play at which it has been detected. The three most normally worn behavior forms against mesothelioma are:
. Surgery - Surgically removing the cancerous body part. For example, mean pleural mesothelioma action could occupy deletion of the unnatural lung by performing a pneumonectomy.
. Radiation therapy - Exposing the affected part to high-energy waves to kill the hateful cells
. Chemotherapy - Using chemicals/drugs to break the hateful cells, both by injecting them into the tolerant, or intravenously, or by rule post in the chest or abdomen (intracavitary chemotherapy).
Besides these three options, study is underway to find newer and more effective behavior options. Clinical trials have played a major role in developing newer behavior options.
Mesothelioma Prognosis
In the container of mesothelioma, diagnosis is not as accurate as it is with other lesser dangerous ailments. This is because prospects usually depends on the phase at which an illness is detected. Mesothelioma is usually detected extremely late in a patient, so it becomes testing to state the alleviate percentage or lifespan of a patient after remedy. Whatever statistics are untaken are not as reliable as one would like them to be. While it has not been tranquil to shape which of the two - pleural or peritoneal - mesothelioma is harder to play, experts are generally in accord that a scenario is wholly complex for both.
However, hottest studies and study have exposed that mesothelioma patients might not be as bad off as was primarily believed. The numbers is tabulated below.
Stage of Mesothelioma Detection Chances of Survival (No. Of Years) Percentage of Patients
Mid to higher stages 3 days 10%
5 days 5%
Early stages 2 days 50%
5 years 20%
This is just general figures on mesothelioma forecast. There is given records existing n the Internet for express scenarios and situations.
Mesothelioma is serious cancer
Mesothelioma is unsmiling canker and asbestos is main grounds. During in 1940 and 1950s constructions village used asbestos as the best thing to happen after glue for construction trade. Asbestos was useful wholly in insulator and ceiling tiles in homes, schools and factories because to high step of stability and resistance to very high temperatures.
Nonetheless, asbestos is able of causing impair, contaminant. It has trend to trip into small parts and inhabit stay in the air for longer durations. For individual who is that comes in phone it, becomes attackable to acute disease to lung sarcoma or mesothelioma lung cancers.
What types of Mesothelioma?
Name of Mesothelioma, asbestos allied plague, acquires its name from the mesothelium cells that are responsible for protecting and enabling relaxed transfer of our vital organs such as lungs, nucleus and the abdomen in the body. Mesothelioma is usually of three types, pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma.
If a self torment from hoarseness, difficulty in breathing, defeat in stress, coughing, blood in sputum, chest grief, weak muscles, reduced concrete sensitivity, he may be suffering from Pleural mesothelioma or the bane of lining of the lungs. This is the most usual nature of mesothelioma and almost two thirds of the mesothelioma patients bear from pleural mesothelioma. The Peritoneal mesothelioma or tumor of the lining of the abdomen causes impaired bowel motion, bloating, growth in feet, and vomiting. This is less common among mesothelioma patients and it affects one-third of the mesothelioma patients. Pericardial mesothelioma is of the sarcoma of lining of the heart. It is also caused because of asbestos exposure. However, its prevalence is unusual. Pericardial mesothelioma manifests as chest bother, palpitations and cough.
Lawsuits allied to Mesothelioma:
The risky consequences of long label dealings with asbestos and its linkage to mesothelioma cancers has led to several lawsuits against its manufacturers. The attorneys claimed the manufactures that they knew the competent of causing impair affects of asbestos exposure and yet persisted with its use for profit motives. This is the incentive why juries have prepared stringent awards in many mesothelioma and asbestos linked lawsuits.
Alfacell Signs Onconase Purchase And Supply Deal With Scientific Protein Labs [ACEL]
Onconase, the company's lead drug candidate, is currently being evaluated as a treatment for unresectable malignant mesothelioma or UMM in a confirmatory Phase IIIb clinical trial.
Kuslima Shogen, chief executive officer of Alfacell, said, “We have been pleased with the superb performance of the extremely well qualified team at SPL for many years and are confident that the commercial production of ONCONASE is in the right hands. This agreement is another step forward for Alfacell as we plan for the commercialization of ONCONASE.”
Onconase is a first-in-class product candidate from Alfacell's proprietary ribonuclease or RNase technology.
In addition to an ongoing Phase IIIb study in malignant mesothelioma, Alfacell is conducting a Phase I/II trial of Onconase in non-small cell lung cancer or NSCLC and other solid tumors.
ACEL is currently trading at $2.40, up 16 cents or 6.95%.
Source
Asbestos Exposure only Known Link to Pleural Mesothelioma
Walter Kot of Illinois is just the latest worker to file a lawsuit against a host of corporations he claims were negligent in their responsibility to inform workers about the presence of asbestos and ways in which, through hygiene and other practises, to mitigate its spread and prevalence.
Kot is upset that on numerous occasions he transported, unknowingly, asbestos fibres home.
Kot toiled as a labourer, sheet-metal worker, shipper, forester and firefighter at the behest of a number of companies from 1940 through 1980. This past July he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, and is litigating a total of 49 corporations for damages and compensation, which will ultimately help cover his medical bills.
In his lawsuit, filed last week in Madison County, Kot claims that the defendants should have known about the hazards of asbestos, and should have been more diligent in protecting its employees from needless exposure.
The suit also alleges that the various defendants could have used asbestos substitutes in their products, but did not.
It has also been alleged that some, or all of the defendants - which were not named publicly - may have destroyed documents and certain evidence, which would have proven Kot's claims.
As a result Kot is seeking at least $550,000 in compensatory damages for pain and suffering, and lost wages. He is also seeking punitive damages representing an undisclosed sum.
Meanwhile, a navy sailor last week was awarded $35.1 million in compensatory damages for exposure to asbestos while serving more than fifty years ago.
John R. 'Jack' Davis was diagnosed, like Kot, with pleural mesothelioma - a disease linked to asbestos exposure. In his suit, Davis claimed that he was exposed to asbestos-covered pipes and vales during his tour of duty in the U.S. Navy, as well as his private-sector career.
The Navy, along with a number of un-named defendants, will have to pool in order to pay the lion's share of the award, 85.8 per cent. The remaining 14.2 per cent of the award is the responsibility of Leslie Controls of Florida, and Warren Pumps of Massachusetts, which will each pay 7.1 per cent. The latter two companies were identified as having supplied asbestos-based material to the Navy.
The verdict, delivered by a jury in Los Angeles Superior Court after a five-week trial, came after deliberations of less than a day, and breaks down to $100,000 for economic damages, $25 million for Mr. Davis' pain and suffering, and a further $10 million for his wife.
Pleural mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that is linked exclusively to the inhalation of asbestos particles in the air. Various countries have implemented an outright ban of asbestos use, something the United States tried but failed, after the ban was overturned in the courts. As a result, there are still products which contain asbestos, such as brake linings.
The incubation period is a long one: the lag time between asbestos exposure and the onset of pleural mesothelioma can be anywhere from 20 to 50 years.
Little wonder that Mr. Kot and Mr. Davis, identified above, litigated so long after exposure. Both men were diagnosed in 2007, decades after the fact.
It is a reasonable expectation there will be many more to come.
SOURCE
'Cruel injustice' of axed asbestos pay-outs
FAMILIES and campaigners yesterday condemned the "injustice" of a House of Lords ruling which will end compensation for thousands of workers suffering from an asbestos- related condition.
The judgment removes an established right to compensation, which had existed for 20 years, to allow people with pleural plaques - scars on the lungs - to claim damages.
Unions appealed this and the controversial case went before the Lords yesterday, where the Court of Appeal decision was upheld.
The five Law Lords who heard the cases agreed that the appeals should be dismissed because the law does not offer compensation to victims of injuries which cause no or trivial damage.
Activists have now pledged to ask the Scottish Parliament to bring in new legislation in Scotland to reverse the Lords' judgment.
They have prepared a bill, which has cross-party support, and will submit it to Kenny MacAskill, the justice secretary, urging him to change the law north of the Border.
Harry McCluskey, secretary of Clydeside Action on Asbestos, which represents hundreds of families of former shipyard and factory workers, said: "The judgment has gone against the workers who have to live with the condition with the appalling fear that it could develop into mesothelioma [a form of cancer].
"It is a ridiculous judgment and the injustice is cruel."
Ian Tasker, of the STUC, said: "The STUC has supported asbestos groups and we are extremely disappointed that this is another injustice to the victims of asbestos.
"The legal system pays too much attention to business and it doesn't pay enough attention to the victims."
Pleural plaques can, over time, make breathing difficult and, in some cases, can be accompanied by the development of serious respiratory diseases including mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Previously, victims could claim between £6,000 to £10,000 if they had pleural plaques and more if they developed mesothelioma.
Bill Kidd, an SNP MSP and Robert Brown, a Liberal Democrat MSP, backed the move to introduce new legislation at the Scottish Parliament.
Mr Kidd said: "This decision by the House of Lords flies in the face of common sense and has to be rectified as quickly as possible."
Bill Butler, a Labour MSP, added: "[The ruling] comes down on the side of the employers and insurance companies and disregards the legitimate case of victims and their families."
Solicitor-advocate Frank Maguire, of Thompsons Solicitors, a leading campaigner for asbestos victims, said: "This judgment will only diminish respect for the law by showing how divorced it can be from reality."
Mesothelioma sufferer pioneers new hope
Leigh Carlisle, a 27-year-old cancer sufferer who is pioneering new treatment for a deadly asbestos-related form of the illness, mesothelioma, is beginning to beat the disease.
Leigh, who is believed to be the country’s youngest sufferer, has been taking part in clinical trials at Manchester’s Christie Hospital.
Leigh may have contracted the disease after she took a short-cut through a Failsworth factory yard, where asbestos was cut, when she was a schoolgirl.
She may also have breathed in the fibres from clothes of a relative who worked there.
Leigh was diagnosed with the condition, which affects her abdomen, in 2006.
Her treatment includes a drug which knocks out a tumour’s resistance so chemotherapy has a better chance of working.
To Leigh’s delight, doctors told her last week that her lungs and stomach are clear of cancer cells, her lymph nodes have returned to near-normal and the tumours in her abdomen have broken down significantly.
Leigh said: "I was overjoyed at being told there had finally been a breakthrough with my clinical trial for Mesothelioma. I have been scared and often faced doubted that treatment wouldn't prove effective, but my consultant and nursing team at 'The Christie' always provided optimism and great support. I know I have some way to go, but the news on my progress is fantastic and I'm looking forward to getting my energy back during my break from treatment now!"
Leigh's solicitor, Geraldine Coombs, said to Rochdale Online: "I am really pleased for Leigh that she has had such good news about her cancer treatment. The results of the trial sound very exciting. Mesothelioma does not usually respond well to treatment and the trial may give hope to others suffering with mesothelioma. 2,000 people every year in this country are diagnosed with mesothelioma.
"Leigh has been through a very hard time with this illness. Despite that she has been working hard to raise awareness about the dangers of asbestos and raising money for cancer charities which is a great credit to her and does not surprise me having got to know Leigh.
"Asbestos is not a problem that is ‘in the past.’ People are still coming into contact with asbestos today around the world. The campaign in Rochdale to push for the risks of environmental contamination by asbestos is very important."
Save Spodden Valley spokesman Jason Addy commented: "I met Leigh earlier this year. She is an incredible person with a positive outlook on life. To contract this illness at such a young age is a particularly cruel blow. I am sure many will join in our prayers and best wishes for her health.
"It is a stark reminder of how low levels of exposure to asbestos fibre may be so dangerous. That is why it is important that safe, open and accountable decisions are made about the former TBA site.
"Mesothelioma takes decades after exposure to asbestos before its symptoms are presented.
"The late Abdul Chowdry, T&N's former Health & Safety manager, suggested on Radio 4 that disturbing soil on the TBA site could 'unearth a monster'. That certainly was an emotive choice of language from the then serving UK Health and Safety Commissioner.
"As the Independent Atkins Report has acknowledged, there is huge potential for gross contamination of the site.
"We all owe a debt to future generations of Rochdalians to ensure that the Spodden Valley becomes a safe amenity for all.
"When you see Leigh and read about what she has faced this year, it really does bring it home to everyone in Rochdale how important it is to get things right in Spodden Valley."
Data affirm benefit of Alimta for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma
Mesothelioma :: Data affirm benefit of Alimta for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma
Data from two large, open- label studies show patients experienced one-year survival rates above 50 per- cent when treated with ALIMTA(R) (pemetrexed for injection) or ALIMTA-based regimens for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) in both a first-line and second-line setting.
The study results affirm important efficacy and safety benefits for Eli Lilly and Company's ALIMTA, the only-known agent to demon- strate a survival benefit in this often difficult-to-treat disease primarily associated with exposure to asbestos.
The data were presented at the 12th World Conference on Lung Cancer.
One of the largest studies undertaken in the treatment of mesothelioma, the triple-arm, open-label, multicenter, first-line study (WCLC Abstract # C5-01) treated patients with ALIMTA as a single agent, while the other two arms evaluated ALIMTA in combination with either cisplatin or carboplatin. All three arms demonstrated clinically similar one-year survival rates (58.6% for ALIMTA alone; 63.1% for ALIMTA+cisplatin, and; 64.0% for ALIMTA+carboplatin). The ALIMTA plus platinum combination arms achieved higher response rates than ALIMTA alone (10.5% for ALIMTA; 26.3% for ALIMTA+cisplatin, and; 21.7% for ALIMTA+carboplatin). All 2,023 patients treated in the first-line setting had a histologic or cytologic diagnosis (pa- tients cells were reviewed under a microscope) of MPM that was not amenable to curative surgery.
An open-label, multicenter study (WCLC Abstract # C5-03), evaluated the results from 988 patients who were treated in a second-line setting for MPM with ALIMTA as a single agent, ALIMTA+cisplatin or ALIMTA+carboplatin after being previously treated with chemotherapy. All three arms demonstrated a significant one-year survival rate (54.7% for ALIMTA alone; 67.9% for ALIMTA+cisplatin, and; 65.5% for ALIMTA+carboplatin). Patients treated with ALIMTA in combination with a platinum-based chemotherapy demonstrated higher response rates (12.1% for ALIMTA; 23.8% for ALIMTA+cisplatin, and; 16.8% for ALIMTA+carboplatin). The most common grade 3/4 toxicities on both studies were leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and anemia.
"The initial clinical trial results for ALIMTA in malignant pleural meso- thelioma were definitely considered a medical breakthrough when they were unveiled just three years ago," said Richard Gaynor, M.D., vice president, cancer research and global oncology platform leader for Lilly. "It is encouraging that these open-label studies show real world patient treatment outcomes that are consistent with those from the controlled clinical research environment. In my opinion, this is clinically meaningful information to the practicing oncologist."
ALIMTA was approved by both the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2004 in combination with cisplatin for the treatment of MPM. To date, ALIMTA has been approved in more than 85 countries in combination with cisplatin for the treatment of MPM.
Fury at low cash awards for asbestos victims
FORMER York Carriageworks union leader Paul Cooper has blasted the levels of compensation paid to victims of the asbestos timebomb.
Mr Cooper, who has long campaigned on behalf of people killed because of their exposure to asbestos dust, claimed today that sufferers and their families were getting less in damages than criminals who injure themselves.
He said in a letter to York MP Hugh Bayley that the Government had failed to act on a Law Commission report of 1999, recommending increases in damages for victims of serious diseases such as abestosis and mesothelioma, a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos dust.
He claimed the Government was currently looking at the law of damages, and was planning to study various Law Commission reports from the 1990s which had not been actioned - but the review had left out the crucial 1999 report.
"It would oblige our members, many of whom are your constituents, if you could investigate this new matter and press the concerns of our members and affected constituents," he said.
"We continue to have victims/sufferers of asbestos mesothelioma facing a death sentence, with wives and children receiving little more than £200,000 in compensation for their loss. Criminals who self-injure get £500,000, even though they suffer no losses whilst in prison. It is time for our workers to have real justice."
Mr Cooper, who received a Community Pride Volunteer of the Year award in 2005 for his work on behalf of asbestos victims, said he had written to the MP twice before on the subject, but the Government appeared still to be trying to avoid the issue.
"In the case of the victims from the Carriageworks, the state was responsible for their deaths, so the state should accept responsibility."
Scores of former Carriageworks employees have died from mesothelioma over the years, following widespread exposure to the deadly dust, particularly in the 1950s, 60s and early 70s.
Hugh Bayley said he had been campaigning on behalf of carriageworks asbestos victims since becoming MP, and he had helped ensure that they remained entitled to compensation when the railway industry was privatised in the 1990s.
He said he had only recently signed a Commons Early Day Motion calling for people suffering from pleural plaques - scarring of lung tissues caused by exposure to asbestos - to be given more compensation.
