by Nancy Meredith

Americans have long envied the longevity of Europeans along the Mediterranean Sea.  Their good health has been attributed to their healthy lifestyle and their diet, known as the Mediterranean diet, of fresh fruits and vegetables, olive oil, nuts and an occasional indulgence in a glass of red wine.  While mesothelioma patients have long been encouraged to follow a healthy diet and to get light exercise while battling the disease, doctors have shied away from suggesting a glass of wine with their dinner. 

Now, new research suggests that one aspect of the Mediterranean diet – red wine – may benefit patients diagnosed with mesothelioma.  Researchers in Korea found that resveratrol, an ingredient found in the skin of red grapes, induces apoptosis in some malignant mesothelioma cells causing them to die. 

Mesothelioma is notoriously difficult to treat and is resistant to many cancer treatments.  One reason that pleural mesothelioma, a pulmonary cancer caused by the inhalation of asbestos dust, is difficult to treat is that regardless of the therapy used the cancer almost always recurs locally. The resistance of mesothelioma to treatment is due to its apoptotic defect, which prevents the medicines from killing the cancer cells allowing them to continue to grow and divide.    

Resveratrol Kills Mesothelioma Cancer Cells
However, Korean medical scientists at Soonchunhyang University found that resveratrol suppressed the levels of a protein called Sp1 and caused the death of cancer cells in laboratory mice that had malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Sp1, which is also known as specificity protein 1, appears to play a key role in tumor development in some cancers. The scientists said injecting the mice with resveratrol effectively suppressed the growth of mesothelioma tumors by inhibiting the protein.

The findings led the researchers to conclude, “that therapeutic and chemopreventative effects of resveratrol, by targeting Sp1, lead to the prevention of malignant pleural mesothelioma.”

Plants Beneficial for Cancer Prevention
The researchers noted that for years, scientists and physicians have been searching for cancer prevention benefits of fruits and vegetables and for their uses as a weapon in the fight against cancer. According to the Mayo Clinic, following a Mediterranean diet has been associated with “a reduced risk of overall and cardiovascular mortality, a reduced incidence of cancer and cancer mortality, and a reduced incidence of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.” 

Mesothelioma patients can follow the basic concept of the Mediterranean diet, as defined by the Mayo Clinic, for preparing healthy, satisfying meals:

• Eating primarily plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts
• Replacing butter with healthy fats such as olive oil and canola oil
• Using herbs and spices instead of salt to flavor foods
• Limiting red meat to no more than a few times a month
• Eating fish and poultry at least twice a week
• Drinking red wine in moderation (optional) - please discuss any alcohol consumption with your physician

Mesothelioma has an extended incubation period and it typically takes 20 years to 40 years before sufferers notice symptoms.  Close to 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with the disease each year.  According to the Ministry of Environment, mesothelioma cases continue to increase in Korea with the peak year for malignant mesothelioma expected to be in 2045.

The study, recently published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, found that workers who were exposed to asbestos between 1971 and 2005 had a significantly higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease and suffering strokes than those who were not.    

“Asbestos is already linked to mesothelioma, an incurable cancer, and several other serious lung disorders,” said Belluck, whose New York personal injury firm, Belluck & Fox, LLP, dedicates its practice to representing clients with asbestos-related diseases.

“The fact that medical researchers are correlating it with other deadly conditions only highlights its dangers and points to the need for further study of the consequences of asbestos exposure,” he said.

Asbestos is a material that was widely used in shipyards, building, construction, the automobile industry and ceiling and floor tiles. Health organizations, both in the U.S. and internationally, have recognized it as a dangerous carcinogen. Some countries have banned it.

Asbestos is the only substance known to cause mesothelioma. This aggressive cancer affects the lining of the lungs and abdomen. An estimated 2,500 to 3,000 Americans lose their lives to mesothelioma each year.

In the British study, researchers found that workers exposed to asbestos showed a higher rate of death from ischemic heart disease, which is a reduced blood supply in the heart muscle. In addition, 63 percent were more likely to die of a stroke.

Belluck said anyone exposed to asbestos that has become ill should contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to learn about their legal options.

“Although it is true that workers are most frequently diagnosed with mesothelioma, they are certainly not the only people who are at risk,” Belluck said. “Asbestos was used in the construction of residences, office buildings and other places where the general public may be found. Even though asbestos is not used now, there are still older structures where asbestos has not been removed, making the threat more widespread.”

Many sufferers of asbestos-related diseases will need extensive medical treatment, he said.

“A successful mesothelioma or asbestos claim can make dealing with the disease, at lease from a financial standpoint, more manageable,” Belluck said. “That leaves victims free to focus on treatment and spending time with their loved ones, which is always most important.”

About Belluck & Fox, LLP

Belluck & Fox, LLP, is a nationally recognized law firm that represents individuals with asbestos and mesothelioma claims, as well as victims of crime, motorcycle crashes, lead paint and other serious injuries. The firm provides personalized and professional representation and has won over $400 million in compensation for clients and their families.

Partner Joseph W. Belluck is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell and is listed in Best Lawyers in America, New York Magazine’s “Best Lawyers in the New York Area” and in Super Lawyers. Mr. Belluck has won numerous cases involving injuries from asbestos, defective medical products, tobacco and lead paint, including a recent asbestos case that settled for more than $12 million.

Partner Jordan Fox i s a well-known asbestos and mesothelioma attorney who has been named to the Best Lawyers in America, New York Magazine’s “Best Lawyers in the New York Area” and to Super Lawyers. On two separate occasions his verdicts were featured as the National Law Journal’s Largest Verdict of the Year. He recently secured verdicts of $32 million and more than $19 million on behalf of individuals who had contracted mesothelioma from asbestos exposure.

In September, Belluck & Fox, LLP, won a coveted spot on a list of America’s best law firms, which was published jointly by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers magazine. The listing showcased 8,782 different law firms ranked in one or more of 81 major practice areas.

For more information, contact the firm at (877) 637-6843 or through the online contact form.

A Simon Fraser University researcher and his colleagues believe that cholesterol-binding proteins, or oxysterol binding proteins (ORPs), may slow or stop cancer cell growth.   They discovered this while observing how cholesterol moves around inside cells in the fat’s journey to cell surfaces where it reinforces their outer membrane. 

The study was published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. 

The researchers found that when they engineered genetic changes in the ORPs they continued to function and move around, but they did not bind to cholesterol.  Further, the altered ORPs activated other “regulator” proteins that triggered processes leading to cell growth. Typically, the cholesterol-binding interferes with the ORPs’ ability to bind to PI4P, which is needed for cell growth. 

“That told us that ORPs probably have nothing to do with moving around cholesterol within cells,” said Chris Beh, SFU associate professor of molecular biology and biochemistry, and co-author of the study. “Rather cholesterol-binding puts the brakes on ORP’s ability to bind to PI4P which, if left unchecked, could accelerate cell growth like crazy,” says Beh. 

“Given that uncontrolled cell growth is a key feature of cancer, this means gaining a better understanding of the true purpose of cholesterol-binding within cells could be important in cancer treatment,” said Beh. 

Pleural mesothelioma is a fast-growing cancer of the lining of the lungs.  Due to the delay in diagnosis, mesothelioma often lies dormant for decades, patients are left with limited treatment options. Stopping tumor growth and preventing metastasis in cancers, especially mesothelioma which is highly aggressive and is resistant to many standard cancer treatments, is critical for increasing survival in patients.  A discovery such as this could help scientists develop a treatment that can significantly slow the growth of mesothelioma cells, leading to extended survival. 

The researchers know cancer cells require ORPs to survive, so now they need to determine which proteins respond to ORP activation and under what circumstances does cholesterol turn off ORP’s activation of them.

The $32 million verdict obtained in the case of Dummit v. A.W. Chesterton (No. 190196/10) placed No. 4 on the list. The $19.5 million verdict in the case of Konstantin v. 630 Third Avenue Associates (No. 190134/10) placed No. 10 overall and first in the construction category.

The firm secured both verdicts in August 2011 in New York Supreme Court. Judge Joan Madden presided over both cases.

Founding partner and veteran New York mesothelioma attorney Jordan Fox led the Belluck & Fox legal team. Senior litigator James Long, partner Brian Belasky and associates Seth Dymond and William Papain assisted him over the course of the two nine-week trials.

“These verdicts represent a measure of justice for the mesothelioma victims and their families who suffered needlessly because asbestos continued to be used long after its dangers were recognized,” Fox said. “Our clients and their families, as always, motivated us.”

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the chest and abdomen caused by exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring heat- and fire-resistant fibrous mineral. Asbestos has been used in a variety of industrial machinery and equipment, and in consumer products.

Mesothelioma victims typically show disease symptoms years or even decades after exposure to asbestos in an industrial or manufacturing workplace. The disease is eventually fatal, but aggressive therapy may prolong the lives of patients who are diagnosed early.

In Dummit, a jury found Crane Co. and Elliott Turbomachinery Co. responsible for the asbestos exposure that led to a U.S. Navy veteran’s diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma. Mr. Dummitt had worked in the boiler and fire rooms aboard seven U.S. Navy ships between 1960 and 1977. He claimed that he was exposed to asbestos from his work repairing valves.

In returning its verdict, the jury determined that Crane and Elliott acted with a reckless disregard for the safety of others in failing to warn. The jury apportioned 99 percent responsibility to Crane and 1 percent responsibility to Elliott. The award included $16 million in past pain and suffering and $16 million in future pain and suffering to Mr. Dummitt.

In Konstantin, the jury found Tishman Liquidating Corporation, formerly known as Tishman Realty and Construction Co., responsible for Mr. Konstantin developing mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis, one of the rarest forms of cancer in the world. Like all cases of mesothelioma, this form of the disease is not curable.

Mr. Konstantin claimed that he was exposed to asbestos during the construction of a high-rise building in Manhattan. During a period between 1976 and 1977, he claimed, he had inhaled asbestos that was released from joint-sealing compounds that his co-workers were using.

The jury found Tishman 76 percent liable and to have acted with reckless disregard for the safety of others. The jury awarded Mr. Konstantin $7 million for past pain and suffering, and $12 million for future pain and suffering. The verdict amount also included $64,832 for past lost wages, and $485,325 for future lost wages.

Both Mr. Dummit and Mr. Konstantin were diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2010.

Verdict Search is a legal research database of verdicts and settlements from across the U.S. The database is often used as a reference for publications such as The New York Times and The National Law Journal.

About Belluck & Fox, LLP

Belluck & Fox, LLP, is a nationally recognized law firm that represents individuals with asbestos and mesothelioma claims, as well as victims of crime, motorcycle crashes, lead paint and other serious injuries. The firm provides personalized and professional representation and has won more than $500 million in compensation for clients and their families.

Partner Joseph W. Belluck is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell and is listed in Best Lawyers in America, New York Magazine’s “Best Lawyers in the New York Area” and in Super Lawyers. Mr. Belluck has won numerous cases involving injuries from asbestos, defective medical products, tobacco and lead paint.

Partner Jordan Fox is a well-known asbestos and mesothelioma attorney who has been named to the Best Lawyers in America, New York Magazine’s “Best Lawyers in the New York Area” and to Super Lawyers. On two separate occasions his verdicts were featured as the National Law Journal’s Largest Verdict of the Year.

In September, Belluck & Fox, LLP, won a coveted spot on a list of America’s best law firms, which was published jointly by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers magazine. The listing showcased 8,782 different law firms ranked in one or more of 81 major practice areas.

For more information, contact the firm at (877) 637-6843 or through the online contact form.

Due to the rarity of mesothelioma, an aggressive form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure, and all other orphan diseases, managing the disease and trying to find appropriate treatment can be overwhelming to the patients and their families.  NORD offers vital services to the public through providing information about diseases, referrals to patient organizations, research grants and fellowships and other critical services for those battling a rare disease. 

NORD will honor members of the U.S. Congress, patient advocates, medical researchers, and companies that have brought new therapies to market on Tuesday, May 15, at Union Station in Washington, DC.  The award ceremony is part of NORD’s annual “Partners in Progress Celebration” that highlights how “stakeholders in the rare disease community work together toward their shared goal of improving the lives of patients.”

“This is NORD’s opportunity to celebrate excellence and to say thank you on behalf of the patient community to those who have advanced the cause during the previous year,” said Peter L. Saltonstall, NORD president and CEO.   “We look forward to this event each year, and we truly appreciate the accomplishments it honors.”

Some of the NORD awards include: 

National health leadership award, to honor leadership in public policy to improve the lives of patients and families affected by rare diseases, will be presented to North Carolina Senator (D) Kay Hagan, who introduced The Transforming the Regulatory Environment to Accelerate Access to Treatments (TREAT) Act, targeted toward getting treatments in a quick and safe manner to patients with orphan diseases.  

Partners in progress corporate awards, to honor companies that have brought important and innovative treatments to market within the previous year, will honor Pfizer, Inc. for Xalkori, known generically as crizotinib, approved by the FDA with a companion diagnostic test to treat certain patients with late-stage, non-small cell lung cancers, and potentially mesothelioma patients, who express the abnormal ALK gene. 

A disease is designated as an orphan disease when less than 200,000 Americans are affected by the disease at any given time.  Mesothelioma is responsible for approximately 3,000 new cases of cancer each year in the United States.  Although there is no cure for mesothelioma, it can be treated with varying degrees of success through the use of surgical procedures, chemotherapy and radiation. 

NORD is a unique federation of voluntary health organizations dedicated to helping people with rare “orphan” diseases and assisting the organizations that serve them. NORD is committed to the identification, treatment, and cure of rare disorders through programs of education, advocacy, research, and service.

However, according to a survey sponsored by the Center to Advance Palliative Care and the American Cancer Society, 70% of the adults surveyed indicated they were “not at all knowledgeable” about palliative care, and another 8% had never heard of the term.  Even non-palliative care physicians are not fully aware of what palliative care offers patients. 

Can this be good? According to Dr. Diane E. Meier, director of the Center to Advance Palliative Care and professor of geriatrics and internal medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, the lack of knowledge about palliative care offers a huge opportunity to educate the public and to increase the number of palliative care medical specialists. 

In a presentation at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Meier stressed that now is the time to educate physicians as well as the general public that palliative care is “actually about relieving the pain, symptoms, and stress of serious illness in patients of any age and at any stage of disease, and that palliative care can be delivered alongside curative or life-prolonging therapies.” 

After the survey participants were educated about palliative care, 95% of those surveyed said it’s important for patients with serious illnesses and their families to learn about palliative care.  Further, 92% of them admitted that they would likely consider palliative care for themselves and loved ones when needed.

Dr. Meier and her colleagues believe a nationwide campaign to educate Americans of the importance and effectiveness of palliative care will create a demand for palliative care, thus requiring a “big boost” in the workforce.   Meier believes the current staffing level of palliative care specialists is so small “as to constitute a major barrier to access.” 

To affect change in the perception of palliative care, and to grow the workforce, Meier and others are seeking funding for a 5-year, multimillion-dollar social marketing campaign to increase public awareness regarding palliative care.  Meier points out that there is one oncologist for every 145 cancer patients, and one cardiologist for every 71 myocardial infarction patients, but there is just one palliative care specialist for every 1,300 people with a serious illness. 

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) released new guidelines in 2011 regarding palliative care.  ASCO encourages physicians to discuss a patient’s treatment options and preferences, including end-of-life care, immediately after their terminal diagnosis so the treatment can be individualized from the start.  The patient will better understand how palliative care can be used as a complementary treatment option with chemotherapy or radiation, or as the last step in their care. 

When stricken with pleural mesothelioma, patients and their doctors continually struggle to keep the patients’ lungs free of fluid while trying to shrink the tumors that constrict the lungs and limit the patients’ ability to breathe.  Palliative care treatment is intended to control pain, stop bleeding, and relieve pressure, while chemotherapy focuses on limiting tumor growth.  For many mesothelioma patients, palliative care offers them an opportunity to stay out of the hospital and spend more time with their loved ones. 

Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer typically affecting the lining of the lungs known to be caused by exposure to asbestos, is an aggressive cancer that is challenging to treat.  Often called “asbestos cancer,” close to 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with the cancer yearly.  Although there is no cure for mesothelioma, it can be treated with varying degrees of success through the use of surgical procedures, chemotherapy and radiation.  Nurses are often with the patients throughout the battle, and their care and expertise can go a long way in making the treatment a little more tolerable.

According to the ANA, in 2011, Americans voted nurses the most trusted profession in America for the 12th time in 13 years in the annual Gallup poll that ranks professions for their honesty and ethical standards. Nurses’ honesty and ethics were rated “very high” or “high” by 84 percent of poll respondents.

The ANA represents the nearly 3.1 million registered nurses in the United States with the slogan: “Nursing: Advocating, Leading, Caring.”  Nurses can be found in a variety of settings. Aside from hospitals and clinical settings, nurses can be found in schools, the military and even in industry and retail. Some choose to help mesothelioma patients by working in the field of oncology, as nurse navigators, chemotherapy oncology nurses, radiation oncology nurses or hospice nurses.

If you see a nurse during the week, please take the time to thank them for their dedication to the profession.

He was referring to a report recently given by Australian researchers at the European Lung Cancer Conference (ELCC) in Geneva, Switzerland. According to the researchers, molecules known as microRNAs in blood could serve as a diagnostic marker for mesothelioma.

A diagnostic marker based on a simple blood test could eventually limit the need for a lung biopsy, which is currently the standard procedure, according to an ELCC press release.

Belluck noted that significant groundbreaking work is also taking place in Dr. Harvey Pass’ lab at New York University in New York City on the mesothelioma markers.

“This research points the way to a new, easier means of diagnosing mesothelioma in its early stages, and it’s yet another reason for a positive outlook among all of those who must deal with this devastating disease,” said Belluck, a founding partner of the New York personal injury firm, Belluck & Fox, LLP.

“Anything that helps us to better understand mesothelioma gives us more hope that the key to a cure is out there, waiting to be found,” added Belluck, who focuses on mesothelioma and other asbestos-exposure cases.

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lining of the lungs and abdomen. It is caused by exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring heat- and fire-resistant mineral. Asbestos has been used in a variety of equipment, industrial machinery and consumer products.

Belluck noted that clinical trial results released in March by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine said that chemotherapy combined with gene therapy shrinks mesothelioma tumors twice as quickly as traditional treatments.

The Penn study was followed by publication of “The Forever Fix: Gene Therapy and the Boy Who Saved It” by Ricki Lewis, which presents an optimistic look at the history and future of gene therapy as a means of fighting mesothelioma and other diseases.

“The news about mesothelioma in the last two months has been hopeful,” he said

Mesothelioma victims typically show disease symptoms many years after exposure to asbestos in an occupational setting. The disease is terminal, but aggressive therapy can prolong the lives of patients who are diagnosed early.

“We strongly encourage anyone exposed to asbestos even once who exhibits symptoms like shortness of breath, a lingering cough or chest pain, or night sweats to see a doctor as soon as possible,” Belluck said.

About Belluck & Fox, LLP

Belluck & Fox, LLP, is a nationally recognized law firm that represents individuals with asbestos and mesothelioma claims, as well as victims of crime, motorcycle crashes, lead paint and other serious injuries. The firm provides personalized and professional representation and has won over $400 million in compensation for clients and their families.

Partner Joseph W. Belluck is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell and is listed in Best Lawyers in America, New York Magazine’s “Best Lawyers in the New York Area” and in Super Lawyers. Mr. Belluck has won numerous cases involving injuries from asbestos, defective medical products, tobacco and lead paint, including a recent asbestos case that settled for more than $12 million.

Partner Jordan Fox is a well-known asbestos and mesothelioma attorney who has been named to the Best Lawyers in America, New York Magazine’s “Best Lawyers in the New York Area” and to Super Lawyers. On two separate occasions his verdicts were featured as the National Law Journal’s Largest Verdict of the Year. He recently secured verdicts of $32 million and more than $19 million on behalf of individuals who had contracted mesothelioma from asbestos exposure.

In September, Belluck & Fox, LLP, won a coveted spot on a list of America’s best law firms, which was published jointly by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers magazine. The listing showcased 8,782 different law firms ranked in one or more of 81 major practice areas.

For more information, contact the firm at (877) 637-6843 or through the online contact form.

Research into cancer treatments is a long process, often taking years to realize any results.  According to the AACR, cancer is more treatable and preventable than ever before, but more work needs to be done.  With a goal to accelerate “progress in the conquest of cancer by providing financial support for cancer research that has the highest potential for impact,” the AACR hopes to continue the forward progress in cancer research. 

Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer typically affecting the lining of the lungs, is highly aggressive and is resistant to many cancer treatments making it a difficult disease to treat effectively.  3,000 Americans are diagnosed with the disease each year. Recently, however, there have been significant breakthroughs in mesothelioma research. 

Just last month, Dr. Daniel Sterman of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine reported on a clinical trial that showed an 80 percent response rate to a combination of gene therapy and standard chemotherapy in mesothelioma victims. 

In addition, various mesothelioma researchers have been focusing on increasing survival and minimizing side effects from the treatment.  Much of the research is still in the lab, and some promising research projects, such as that by Swedish researcher Dr. Stefan Nilsson focusing on mesothelioma patients’ genetic traits, are still in the funding phase. 

AACR Past-president Judy E. Garber, M.D., M.P.H, identified three challenges cancer researchers face:

• Funding.  Garber notes that cancer research is a big enterprise, and it is expensive.  Funding comes from many resources, however, funding from the public is extremely critical.
• Cancer is not one disease.  Cancer is many diseases and the medical needs vary from cancer to cancer, and in some cases, from patient to patient.  Something so immense requires many people working on the problem.
• Access issues.  There are new drugs that look effective and there are old drugs that are proven effective in many cases.  But, Garber notes, these drugs must be accessible to everyone.   

Garber pointed out that everyone can help cancer research in some way.  For those that are able, making a monetary donation in support of a patient or cancer survivor can aid in funding critical research. Participating in a clinical trial as a patient seeking treatment, or as a healthy participant supporting the prevention of cancer, can keep research moving.  In addition, learning about cancer and being an informed member of the public can help lower the number of cancer diagnoses in the country. 

“Cancer research is the way forward, it’s the way to make things better,” said Garber.  And this is what keeps mesothelioma patients, advocates and their doctors hopeful.

Caregivers, typically spouses or other family members, provide nearly constant care for mesothelioma patients as they endure often debilitating treatments.  Caregiver duties can include grocery shopping, housekeeping, preparing meals, transportation, meal preparation, management of insurance forms, medical forms and prescriptions, general care for the patient as well as emotional support.  For many caregivers this is all done while trying to care for other family members. 

According to a recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive and the American Academy of Family Physicians, however, caregivers often fail to take care of themselves at the expense of their health.  Nearly three-quarters of the caregivers surveyed agreed that caregiving has had at least some impact on their health. 

The survey was designed to assess the stresses seniors and caregivers experience on a daily basis.  Specifically, the survey looked at the impact of caregiving and caregivers’ need for credible information about their family members’ changing health and how to balance caregiving with other responsibilities. 

Some of the key findings of the survey regarding the caregivers’ health includes:

• 88% of caregivers felt one or more stressors associated with caregiving.
• Six in 10 caregivers said caregiving caused them to lose sleep at least sometimes.
• 52 percent said their caregiving responsibilities caused them to neglect their other responsibilities such as meeting their own health needs, at least sometimes. 

Caring for a loved one suffering from mesothelioma is a demanding job.  If a caregiver is sick or fatigued, though, they may not be effective.  A caregiver should arrange for backup support as needed to take time off to care for themselves.   They cannot help their loved one cope with the challenges of mesothelioma if they are sick or worn down.

Nearly 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year.  Currently there is no known cure for the disease, and the average survival time varies from 4 – 18 months after diagnosis.