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Reuters Reveals J&J Plot to Limit Payouts to Mesothelioma and Ovarian Cancer Victims
The tragedy of mesothelioma is that many cases are a result of decisions made by asbestos companies. Though they knew of the dangers posed by asbestos, they put profits over people’s wellbeing and allowed them to be exposed with no warning, then argue against being held responsible. In a modern-day version of the same story,
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UK Study Explores New Approach to Malignant Mesothelioma
Researchers from the University of Leicester have just completed a phase 2 trial exploring a new approach to treating malignant mesothelioma. Their study tested abemaciclib, a drug that blocks the action of an abnormal protein that signals cancer cells to multiply and grow into tumors. They wanted to see whether it offered safe and effective
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Do Women with Mesothelioma Suffer More Severe Treatment Side Effects?
A new study revealing that women may be at greater risk of serious side effects after cancer treatments is raising concerns within the mesothelioma community. The study, conducted by researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, revealed a 34% increase of severe adverse effects in women compared to men.
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Court to Hear Bankruptcy Filing Meant to Evade Mesothelioma Claims Today
Today, a New Jersey judge will hear a case whose outcome will impact tens of thousands of mesothelioma and ovarian cancer victims. A federal bankruptcy judge will weigh Johnson & Johnson’s arguments for its subsidiary’s bankruptcy filing against the needs of people who blame the company’s talc-based products for their asbestos-related illnesses.
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Mesothelioma Victims Win Right to Consolidate Their Lawsuits
Malignant mesothelioma lawsuits seek compensation for negligence culminating in painful and deadly damages. Though these legal actions can ultimately bring justice, they are also time consuming. When two victims represented by the same attorney tried to have their cases consolidated, the asbestos companies involved filed objections and tried to stop them, but the judge in
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Mesothelioma Experts Hopeful After Reported CAR-T Success in Blood Cancers
We tend to think of cancer as a single disease, but there are significant differences between blood cancers like leukemia and cancers that form solid tumors like malignant mesothelioma. Treatment and outlook for the two broad types are very different, but success in one area may translate into the other. Oncologists are hoping that recently
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Senate Committee Hears from Mesothelioma Victim Over Bankruptcy Abuses
Though she is dying from mesothelioma, Kimberly A. Naranjo spent yesterday testifying to a Senate subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee. She was joined by bankruptcy experts and others concerned about mass tort Chapter 11 cases that allow companies like Johnson & Johnson to evade their liability to victims of their negligence.
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Mesothelioma Fears Drive Chemical Company Warning
Last week’s steam line break at a Kingsport, Tennessee chemical plant blasted asbestos-contaminated materials into nearby neighborhoods, spurring fears that exposure could risk mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. The company’s management is warning neighbors not to touch the debris and is sending out a response team to evaluate its impact.
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Study Shows AI Tool Useful and Accurate in Measuring Mesothelioma Tumors
Being able to quickly and accurately measure the volume of mesothelioma tumors is important for determining whether a treatment is working, as well as in the laboratory as new protocols are being developed. Because mesothelioma tumors are so irregular this measurement is challenging and time consuming, but a team of researchers from the United Kingdom
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Study Confirms Thoracoscopy Accuracy for Diagnosing Mesothelioma
Though individuals with a known history of exposure to asbestos are at high risk for malignant mesothelioma, symptoms do not necessarily mean that they have the rare form of cancer. Accurate diagnosis is essential to getting the right treatment but can be time consuming and invasive. A new study conducted by researchers in the United
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Court of Appeals Denies Asbestos Company Attempt to Void $2.9 Mesothelioma Award
David Hoff was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma after more than 30 years of working as a carpenter. Before his death, he and his wife filed suit again ten defendants whose asbestos-contaminated products they blamed for his illness. The couple prevailed in court, but one company objected and asked for the verdict to be overturned on
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Can MRI Be Used in Fight Against Mesothelioma?
Patients presenting with symptoms of mesothelioma go through a series of tests and scans to confirm their diagnosis, but magnetic resonance imaging is rarely part of the process. But new research conducted by scientists in the United Kingdom suggests a novel use of the technology that may provide benefit to those with the rare, asbestos-related
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Protein Mutation Linked to Chemoresistance in Mesothelioma Patients
Though chemotherapy is the standard first-line treatment for malignant mesothelioma, its effects are far from guaranteed. In fact, it has only proven helpful in about forty percent of patients. A group of European researchers believes that the genetically triggered loss of a certain protein is the reason behind this frustrating statistic, and their findings may
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BBC Paid £1.64m to Families of Mesothelioma Victims
Over the last several years there have been numerous reports of mesothelioma deaths among former staffers of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). This week UK publisher the Observer reported that the media company has paid a total £1.64m to compensate 11 families that lost loved ones. The amount is the equivalent of roughly $2.2 million in American dollars.
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Law Professors Side with Mesothelioma Victims Against Johnson & Johnson
Facing thousands of mesothelioma and ovarian cancer lawsuits, Johnson & Johnson is pursuing a controversial legal maneuver aimed at helping them evade legal responsibility for the damage their products caused. Despite the company’s robust financial position, Johnson & Johnson attempting split off a subsidiary, assigned talc liability to the new company, and had it seek
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Italian Study Calms Fears That COVID-19 Slowed Mesothelioma Diagnoses
Malignant mesothelioma is challenging enough without the added complications created by the global pandemic. Though experts had worried that patients would delay doctor’s visits during shutdowns, an Italian study has shown that diagnosis statistics mirrored those of previous years.
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Facing Millions in Mesothelioma Claims, Glass Company Files Asbestos Bankruptcy Plan
After decades of defending against mesothelioma lawsuits, Owens Illinois Inc. (O-I) has filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection plan to permanently settle all existing and future asbestos-related claims against them. The plan includes the establishment of a trust that will review, approve, and process claims filed by victims of asbestos exposure.
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Researchers Identify Mechanism that Helps Diabetes Drug Control Mesothelioma
While drug company researchers work to develop new treatments for malignant mesothelioma, others are dedicating themselves to the question of whether existing drugs might prove effective against multiple conditions, including the rare form of cancer. One such drug is metformin, a medication that successfully controls diabetes. Though scientists had known that it helped control the spread
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UK Study Points to Gender Differences in Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Malignant mesothelioma can afflict anybody who has been exposed to asbestos, but it is traditionally associated with male-dominated occupations that involved direct use or proximity to the deadly carcinogenic mineral. Researchers in the United Kingdom have concluded that this past association is hampering quick diagnosis of women and may have significant implications for their prognosis.
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Greater Understanding of the Role Mesothelioma Subtype Plays in Survival
Though a mesothelioma diagnosis is always considered terminal, there are mitigating factors that have an enormous impact on how long individual patients survive. As researchers continue to seek greater understanding of this mysterious and challenging disease, it has become increasingly clear that one of the most important determinants of prognosis is what subtype of the
