Category: Mesothelioma
Researchers Identify Mutations in Mesothelioma That Can Lead to Personalized Care
Biomarkers have become the de facto reference for researchers and oncologists when determining mesothelioma diagnosis, treatment, success of those treatments and prognosis. But identifying reliable biomarkers has been challenging, primarily due to the rarity of the disease. Now, researchers at one of the leading mesothelioma centers report they have identified a “spectrum of mutations” found in mesothelioma tumors.
Mesothelioma is a serious and incurable cancer that is diagnosed in just 3,000 Americans each year. The aggressive cancer, known as “asbestos cancer” since it is almost always a direct consequence of past exposure to asbestos fibers, often eludes standard cancer treatments. Through personalized, targeted therapy, with the help of biomarkers, however, patients see improved survival and a higher quality of life.
Researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital of Boston hope to bring personalized care to many more mesothelioma patients through their recent discovery of “previously unknown genetic alterations” in mesothelioma tumors. Some of these mutations that are prominent in other cancers, according to the researchers, have available treatments that could benefit mesothelioma patients with those same mutations.
“By studying so many samples, we’ve been able to describe a spectrum of mutations for this rare disease,” says lead author Dr. Raphael Bueno, chief of BWH’s Division of Thoracic Surgery and co-director of the hospital’s Lung Center, in a Feb. 29 press release. “A small number of these mutations have been found previously in other cancers, and drugs have been developed to target these mutations.”
The researchers performed a “comprehensive genomic analysis” on 216 malignant pleural mesothelioma samples, where they compared the DNA and RNA of the mesothelioma samples and normal, healthy samples. According to the press release, the team uncovered more than 2,500 alterations, and identified 10 significantly mutated genes.
Biomarkers play a critical role in improving the drug development process, according to National Institutes of Health researchers, in addition to identifying focused care. The PD-L1 biomarker has been top-of-the-news recently with the successful treatment in mesothelioma patients and melanoma patients who express the biomarker. The immunotherapy drug blocks PD-L1.
Read more about the immunotherapy drugs and mesothelioma.
“When you have a cancer that has a 80 to 90 percent mortality rate within five years of diagnosis, and you discover evidence that a small percentage of people may have actionable mutations, that means that you could reduce mortality,” said Bueno.
Brigham and Women’s is home to the International Mesothelioma Program. Managing over 300 mesothelioma consultations per year, the International Mesothelioma Program is the largest program of its kind in the world. The Program has a mission “to offer state-of-the-art treatment to patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.”
“We plan to continue this important research through investigator-sponsored trials evaluating the potential use of cancer immunotherapies for the treatment of mesothelioma,” says Bueno.
The results of the study can be found in the Feb. 29 issue of Nature Genetics.
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Mesothelioma Nurse Hopes for Good Things from “Moonshot” Inititative
Recently, during President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address he announced the “Moonshot” program, led by Vice- President Joe Biden, to help “cure” cancer. There have been other wars on cancer, but research had yet not evolved to where it is today. President Obama pledged $1 billion to fund the program over two years. We applaud this initiative and hope that the spending is approved swiftly by Congress.
As mesothelioma victims and their families know, research, like clinical trials, takes time and money before the potential promising therapy can be offered to patients. The Food and Drug Administration’s approval process, together with the stages of the clinical trials’ process takes an average of 10 years to bring a new treatment to market.
This 10 year timeline reminds me of a woman from Minnesota who is celebrating 10 years on her journey of living with mesothelioma. She has shared her journey with so many others, supported many caregivers, and has been very open about her thoughts and fears. Some of the attributes that she possesses – her positive attitude, the fight to never give up, faith, unwavering family support – we have seen in other mesothelioma patients who have not survived 10 years. What makes her a survivor?
At this point no-one knows. There are theories, maybe her age, cell type, operation that she had, or timing. Does her continuous giving back to others somehow make a difference? The “moonshot” initiative leaves us with the hope that ten years from now, this same woman will be explaining to a large group of long-term mesothelioma survivors, how she has lived a full, blessed life.
We wish her many more years of good health and happiness!
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Cheer Up A Mesothelioma Patient With Some Fun Decorations
The winter blues. The long, cold, winter months can seem to last forever! For someone who may be extra sensitive to the cold or unable to leave their home, like many mesothelioma patients, it can be even more vexing.
With Valentine’s Day this week, it may be a nice idea to take a card, candy, or some small gift to your loved one. On St. Patrick’s Day, wear your favorite green and greet them with a shamrock! These are small things that could brighten up their days.
If the person happens to be in the hospital, check and see if you could decorate their room. Hanging a few simple decorations could be just the thing to lift their spirits. The same thing goes for their home… a little bit goes a long way.
Besides the holidays, paying a visit to someone with mesothelioma, their caregivers, or ones who may have been left behind, can make all the difference. As I always say, let them lead the conversation – they may be up to talking about their condition, or might not want to bring it up at all! Knowing that people care is one of the best gifts you can receive when dealing with any kind of trying situation; the mesothelioma community is no different in this respect!
During this cold season, warm it up with some hot cocoa, good company, and love. Remember that even though it may be dreary outside, it doesn’t take much to make the inside inviting and full of life!
Know more about Mesothelioma and how you can deal with it.
“Disclaimers” Can Help Mesothelioma Patients Make Informed Decisions
On TV these days there are plenty of advertisements for medications. It is hard not to notice the long disclaimers at the end. Do not take if a, b, c, d! Notify your doctor immediately if you develop x, y or z. Who would take any of those medicines after they hear all that? When put in perspective, it is a very small percentage of people on these medications who develop the side effects. But the companies are required by law to inform patients with the disclaimers so they can make an informed decision.
Recently, while taking care of a mesothelioma patient after surgery, we talked about the balance of information. How much do you want to know versus how much you are told. What was the right amount of information for this patient?
Full disclosure is important so that people can weigh their options. Knowing from the outset that if you choose to have surgery, it will involve pain, it will be difficult, unpleasant and exhausting. You may or may not have a breathing tube in your mouth, a tube in your nose, tubes in the sides of your chest, and even a tube in your bladder. That it will be in your best interest to do things that you do not want to do, like walking. You will be restricted in your fluid intake. These are the basic facts. Not all of them, but important ones, about your surgical experience.
Should there be a lengthy disclaimer listing all the possible things that could go wrong? Would you feel better knowing all the possibilities ahead of time?
In my experience, most people want to know what is going on with them and their loved ones. They trust that there will be open communication and that everyone will do their best. It would be impossible to list all the possible scenarios that might happen before, during and after surgery. Everyone’s experience is unique.
Anyone with a question today about just about anything turns to Google to find the answer. During your mesothelioma journey, the information you find may or may not be pertinent to you. Sometimes the information can be confusing and complicated and not in the right context for your particular situation. If this happens to you or your loved one, ask your mesothelioma team. The journey with mesothelioma is a team effort, and hopefully, with open communication you will find the right balance of information, to make informed decisions.
My patient had found her balance, she and family members could concentrate on recovery, knowing that for her and her family, she had enough pertinent medical information, in the right context, to make her decisions.
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Mesothelioma Nurse Encourages Families to Celebrate Their Loved Ones
This past month, an older couple left a big impression on all the health care team members that they encountered. The patient, the woman, was bubbly and talkative; her husband was reserved and quiet. Together they were devoted to each other with an unshakable bond. They were a team facing mesothelioma, but it was not going as planned. Through their stay, before surgery, after surgery, and through the woman’s complications, one thing was clear: they loved each other.
They are a very loving couple, they have had a wonderful life together, but now she has mesothelioma and he is helping her. Their goal was to be home for the holidays. To have one more Christmas and to welcome in one more New Year in their own home, with their family and their traditions. The road has been short from diagnosis to this point. They have followed their mesothelioma team’s recommendations, but, unfortunately, she has not responded to the treatment as hoped.
They are now facing some big decisions about what is next. As their journey with mesothelioma continues, the rhythm of their lives is forever altered. They will be home for the holidays, savoring every moment, creating memories together, as they have been before mesothelioma. Together they will face the next chapter in their lives, and together they did make it home.
As we celebrate the holidays, remember to enjoy your loved ones, celebrate the joy in life, and remember to reach out to someone who might be alone and having a hard time this holiday season.
A Happy, Healthy New Year to all!
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Free Mesothelioma Patient & Treatment Guide
We’d like to offer you our in-depth guide, “A Patient’s Guide to Mesothelioma,” absolutely free of charge.
It contains a wealth of information and resources to help you better understand the condition, choose (and afford) appropriate treatment, and exercise your legal right to compensation.
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