Results from a Phase 1 trial on the use of single-dose intrapleural interferon-beta gene transfer for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma and metastatic pleural effusions show promise as a treatment regimen and should be further evaluated. Subjects in the study were evaluated for the following factors: (a) toxicity, (b) gene transfer, (c) humoral, cellular, and cytokine-mediated immune responses, and (d) tumor responses via PET scans and chest CT scans. Among the subjects, intrapleural interferon was generally well-tolerated. The results documented gene transfer in 7 of the 10 patients, while 4 of the 10 showed meaningful clinical responses, which were defined as disease stability and/or regression.

The Ban Asbestos in America Act of 2007, Sen. Patty Murray’s bill to ban the use of asbestos, passed the Senate’s Committee on Environment and Public Works with a unanimous 19-0 vote. The successful vote means the bill will now move to the full chamber, which will occur sometime this fall. Broad, bi-partisan support is expected for the bill.

Sen. Murray’s bill would completely ban the use of asbestos in all products within two years of its passage. The chlorine industry received a one year extension on the ban, so they would have three years to remove asbestos from their products. The bill also allocates $50 million in federal money to research causes and treatments of asbestos-related diseases and it requires the government to educate the public on the dangers of asbestos.

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization has issued a press release in support of Sen. Murray’s “Ban Asbestos in America Act.” ADAO is an organization dedicated to victims of asbestos and speaks for them on national issues. Regarding the “Ban Asbestos” act, Linda Reinstein, Executive Director and Cofounder of Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, said “Senator Patty Murray’s Ban Asbestos in America Act is critical if we are to end the asbestos epidemic and we applaud the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works for their clear recognition of its importance with today’s bipartisan effort and unanimous vote of support…we now look to the Senate to follow this Committee’s important lead by moving this monumental bill even closer to law. We look forward to the day when asbestos disease will no longer needlessly claim lives.”