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Mesothelioma Researcher Prevails Against Johnson & Johnson
For years, asbestos companies have countered mesothelioma lawsuits by arguing against the science: They claim there is no proof of causation and quibble over methods and statistics instead of taking responsibility for their negligence. Most recently, Johnson & Johnson filed suit against a scientist whose study linked talc-based consumer products to cancer, but last week
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Pilot Study Tests Use of Nivolumab Plus Chemotherapy Before Mesothelioma Surgery
A mesothelioma study presented at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Annual Meeting suggests that treatment with neoadjuvant nivolumab, pemetrexed, and platinum may allow more patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma to choose lung-sparing surgery as an option.
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Will Saliva Tests Make Detecting Mesothelioma Easier?
The public is increasingly aware of the link between asbestos and malignant mesothelioma, but that doesn’t make diagnosis any easier. Unless a person displaying symptoms specifically notes their history of exposure to the carcinogen, it is unlikely that their physician will start with the possibility of the extremely rare disease. Still, researchers are developing better
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UK Research Demonstrates Role of Asbestos Fibers in the Development of Mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma is unique in many ways. The exceedingly rare form of cancer is also extremely aggressive and has proven resistant to all types of treatment. Making matters more challenging is the continued mystery of how the disease develops. A recent study conducted by a collaborative team of researchers from the United Kingdom has found that
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Court Refuses to Reopen Discovery in Mesothelioma Claim
Michael and Victoria Marcus filed a personal injury lawsuit against multiple companies after he was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, citing exposure to asbestos that he suffered during his service in the United States Navy. As the case approaches and both sides prepare for trial, some defending companies have asked to reopen discovery because they overlooked
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Johnson & Johnson’s Effort to Subpoena Mesothelioma Expert’s Records Denied
Johnson & Johnson is facing numerous claims filed by victims of malignant mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. In one such case filed in New Jersey, the company has repeatedly attempted to access the identities of individuals whose medical data was used by Dr. Jacqueline Moline for a mesothelioma study she conducted. Justice Adam Silvera of the
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Egyptian Study Reveals Long Noncoding RNA’s Potential for Early Mesothelioma Diagnosis
The rare asbestos-related cancer malignant mesothelioma is always considered fatal, a fact that is partially attributed to its characteristic late diagnosis. Recently, researchers from the German University in Cairo conducted a study of long noncoding RNAs to determine whether their presence could be used to confirm the presence of mesothelioma. Their results promise an effective
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Will New Asbestos Detection Method Cut Mesothelioma Risk?
Malignant mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, a mineral that was used extensively throughout much of the 20th century. Even with its use virtually eliminated, the carcinogenic material remains a threat, as it lurks in structures built before the 1980s, brake linings, and other previous applications. Detecting the presence of asbestos has long been a
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Decision in Australian Mesothelioma Case Marks Significant Change
Australia has the dubious distinction of leading the world in cases of malignant mesothelioma, but the country’s system of justice has lagged far behind that of the United States. Where Americans who’ve been victims of corporate negligence frequently receive multi-million jury awards, the same has not been true – until now. A Queensland jury has
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Illinois Attorney General Sues Hospital That Put Employees and Public at Risk for Mesothelioma
After asbestos was linked to the development of malignant mesothelioma, its use diminished dramatically. But legacy asbestos used decades ago continues to pose a threat. Despite stringent regulations for handling asbestos, negligence continues to place people at risk. This week Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul took legal action against the owners and operators of a
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Fears of Mesothelioma Postpone Project at U.S. Air Base in Italy
The U.S. military is all too familiar with the health risks posed by asbestos: Countless Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, and Coast Guard service members were diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases after exposure to the mineral during World War II and after. So it is no surprise that the discovery of asbestos at
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Michigan School of Social Work Awarded Grant for Mesothelioma Study
Michigan ranks 9th in the nation for number of diagnoses of malignant mesothelioma. The high rate of the rare, asbestos-related disease is generally blamed on the state being the heart of auto manufacturing in the United States, exposing countless auto workers to asbestos-contaminated products. Because so many people have been affected by the disease, it is
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Mesothelioma Claims May Be Impacted by Supreme Court Decision
When workers negligently exposed to asbestos are diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and other illnesses, their options for compensation include applying to one of the many asbestos trust funds created by companies who sought bankruptcy protection from continuing mesothelioma injury claims. A recent unanimous decision by the U.S. Supreme Court is likely to have an impact on
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Navy Wife’s Mesothelioma Blamed on Navy’s Negligence
It is unusual for a mesothelioma lawsuit to name the U.S. Navy as a defendant, but in the case filed by the family of Geraldine Perkins, it is the federal government that’s accused of negligence. According to the victim’s family, the Navy failed to adhere to mandatory asbestos safety precautions when Mrs. Perkins’ husband was
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Asbestos in Makeup Blamed for Women’s Mesothelioma
A new report published in The Guardian is detailing the stories of British women who blame big-name cosmetic companies for their malignant mesothelioma. Beyond the claims being filed against talcum powder products like those made by Johnson & Johnson, the women point to cosmetic talc used in bronzer, blusher, eye shadow, and other commonly used
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Multinational Study Questions Use of Immunotherapy for Patients with Mesothelioma
In recent years, researchers and physicians treating people with malignant pleural mesothelioma have expressed great hope for the use of immunotherapy, an innovative treatment that leverages patients’ own immune systems to fight the rare and fatal disease. However, an article published in the April issue of the Journal of Thoracic Oncology points to real-world results from Australian studies
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Johnson & Johnson Settles Talc Lawsuit with $700 Million Payment to U.S. States
In the face of mounting legal troubles accusing its popular baby powder of causing malignant mesothelioma and ovarian cancer, Johnson & Johnson closed the book on one aspect of those troubles, reaching a $700 million settlement with a multistate coalition of attorneys general representing 43 U.S. states. The lawsuit accused the company of deceptively promoting
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Researchers Undeterred by Disappointing Mesothelioma Trial
Although a phase II/III mesothelioma clinical trial delivered disappointing results, researchers reviewing its results remain interested in the use of novel dendritic cell immunotherapy. Some reviewers have suggested that the delayed administration of the innovative treatment played a role in it not meeting its primary outcome of improved overall survival.
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Texan Files Mesothelioma Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A Texas jury is the latest being asked to decide whether the use of Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder led to a man’s malignant pleural mesothelioma. Jerry Newton was diagnosed with the rare asbestos-related disease in 2019, and he blames the consumer giant’s talcum powder for his fatal illness.
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Court Again Sides with Daughters Following Father’s Mesothelioma Death
In March of 2023, the Louisiana Court of Appeals denied a petition from Union Carbide Corporation, which had argued against a jury’s $2.75 million wrongful death award to each of two daughters of a mesothelioma victim. The company appealed that decision to the Louisiana Supreme Court, which vacated the appeals court’s decision and ordered the
