Pensacola Personal Injury Lawyer - Toxic Substances

Asbestos Defendants Attack National Cancer Institute

Robert Blanchard — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:43:53 GMT

In what amounts to a manufactured controversy, Ford Motor Company and other asbestos defendants are seeking depositions about changes to the NCI website that addressed the dangers of asbestos. See news article at this link. Ford is attempting to intimidate the Institute so they won't publish accurate information about the hazards of asbestos. They also seek to disqualify as an expert witness one noted physician who has been brave enough to take on the powerful industries that seek to avoid responsibility for the mesothelioma caused by their asbestos containing products. Dr. Arthur Frank is not only the highly regarded Chairman of Environmental and Occupational Health at Drexel University, he also contributes all of the money he earns testifying in court to an account run by the University. Given his credentials, the Courts will see the industry attempts to block his testimony for what they are, baseless and self-serving.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Robert Blanchard

Italian Researchers New Approach to Mesothelioma

Robert Blanchard — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:44:14 GMT

Although both men and women can suffer from mesothelioma, but women will statistically often survive longer with the disease. In Italy, scientists are finding out why the female gender is a positive prognostic indicator for this deadly cancer. They had theorirized that the hormone estrogen and estrogen receptors may be involved and one study now say they were on the right track. See the study published by Pinton G, et al., Estrogen receptor-beta affects the prognosis of human malignant mesothelioma. Cancer Res. 2009 Jun 1;69(11):4598-604.

Echoing this finding, a recent study published in the Chinese Journal of Physiology reported that decreases in circulatory estrogen (estradiol (E2)) significantly increased the risk of colorectal cancer. Furthermore, patients that received E2 replacement therapy were found to have a reduction in the incidence of colon adenoma and carcinoma.

Hsu HH, et al., Apoptotic effects of over-expressed estrogen receptor-beta on LoVo colon cancer cell is mediated by p53 signalings in a ligand-dependent manner. Chin J Physiol. 2006 Apr 30.

Hopefully these findings will lead to new approaches to the treatment of mesothelioma.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Robert Blanchard

Mesothelioma Treatment

Robert Blanchard — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 10:40:22 GMT

With all the lawyer ads on mesothelioma it is easy to overlook some of the strides that are being made in the treatment of this asbestos related cancer. Clinical trials now underway are investigating a number of "targeting drugs". Targeted drug therapy tries to attack specific features within cancer cells. Targets being studied in these trials include a substance that cancer cells make to build new blood vessels to bring the cancer cells nutrients and oxygen. Another target is an enzyme that helps cancer cells develop resistance to chemotherapy drugs. Researchers hope drugs that target these areas can help kill mesothelioma cells. Patients with mesothelioma may be interested in clinical trials for a chance to try new types of treatment. Of course a cure isn't guaranteed. Everyone is encouraged to consider all treatment options and your doctor may tell you what clinical trials are possible for you. Current clinical trials may help doctors better understand how to treat mesothelioma in the future.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Robert Blanchard