Category: Featured News
What Are Clinical Trials and How Can They Advance Treatment?
COVID-19 has impacted our daily lives throughout the U.S. This previously unknown virus that has caused the pandemic we are currently in has scientists all over the world researching for a cure.
The virus is educating a lot of people about the clinical trial process. As scientists race to find a cure for this deadly virus, the process that is in place for approval for new medications, treatments, and vaccinations is being questioned. Why does it take so long? Why is participation so low?
Patients, family members, and experts who are dealing with malignant mesothelioma know that the process to improve therapy leading to a cure is slow. There are requirements as the process is rigorous with defined stages, criteria, and approvals.
One of the challenges of conducting a clinical trial is to get participation in the trial. All participation is voluntary and can be withdrawn at any time. It is estimated that less than 5 percent of all adult patients diagnosed with cancer participate in clinical trials. Some of the reasons people give for not participating are:
- Lack of awareness, patients didn’t know about it.
- They don’t think they qualify.
- Fear and safety involved.
- The inconvenience of location or added responsibilities.
- Confusion over whether it is covered by insurance.
It is reported that 25 percent of cancer trials failed to enroll a sufficient number of patients, and 18 percent of trials closed with less than half the targeted enrollment.
Research from 2019 gives another perspective. The article published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute in March of 2019 written by Unger JM, Validya R, Hershman DL, et al did a systematic review and analysis of the structural, clinical, and physician and patient barriers to cancer clinical trial participation. Their findings in a study funded by the National Cancer Institute included that:
- 55.6 percent of patients did not participate in a trial because no trial was available for their type or stage of cancer at their treatment center.
- 21.5 percent of patients were ineligible due to criteria that did not include them such as co-morbidities.
- 22.9 percent of patients had physician and patient related barriers, such as not being asked to participate or refusing by the patient.
As we continue to live through this pandemic and people are becoming more aware of the clinical trial process, there are reports of up to 16,000 people – mostly young – that have offered to participate in the development of a vaccine. They are volunteering to be given the vaccine and then exposed to the coronavirus as part of a study to evaluate a vaccine that is still in the experimental phase.
COVID-19 has changed our lives. Hopefully a new awareness of the opportunity to participate in clinical trials for all diseases will be one of the positive results that comes from the pandemic.
Balancing Mesothelioma with the Coronavirus Pandemic
When someone is diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, the battle is both mental and physical. The symptoms are numerous and some more frightening than others. Mentally it can have an outsized effect on one’s peace of mind, affecting your physical wellbeing as well as your emotional wellbeing.
So how does a mesothelioma patient keep mind and body in sync during a strenuous time like the coronavirus pandemic?
First, look around at yourself and jot down your physical symptoms. Put factual numbers to paper. A few strategies you might consider include:
- Monitor daily weight.
- Monitor calorie intake if you can, or just list what you eat.
- If you have an O2 sat monitor use that and record the findings.
- If you don’t have an O2 sat monitor monitor, record the distance you can walk each day.
Now that really is the easier part. Mental wellbeing can be a challenge. How do you keep your head in check and not get carried away to dark thoughts and fear? If you are having a hard time being calm, there is a fair amount of advice available. Here are some different approaches:
- Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and exhale slowly.
- Say out loud three things you are grateful for today.
- Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
- Take a break from news, including social media.
If these ideas aren’t working, contact your primary care provider and they will try to help with your physical or mental challenges at this time. Reach out to your mesothelioma team. Remember that mesothelioma patients are high risk when it comes to coronavirus and the COVID-19 virus’ related respiratory symptoms.
You are not alone. These times are uncharted territory for all of us. We can get through it with help from one another.
Minnesota Student Wins Fourth Place in Mesothelioma Scholarship Contest
Mesothelioma Help is proud to help a future physician’s assistant in Minnesota achieve her education goal by awarding her $500 as part of the annual Jan Egerton & Don Smitley Mesothelioma Scholarship contest. Sheri Sanford, a student at Normandale Community College, was awarded the fourth-place prize in the cancer organization’s national essay contest this year.
In her essay, Sheri shared her inspiration for switching gears in her career ─ going from dreams of becoming a lawyer to pursuing a master’s degree as a physician’s assistant with a focus in oncology.
In 2016, Sheri’s uncle was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, a rare cancer whose only known cause is exposure to asbestos. Her uncle had spent his life working in the construction industry, one of the high-risk fields for exposure. “I lost my uncle after he caught the cancer in a very advanced stage and he died in less than a year,” she explained in her essay.
Sheri’s experience inspired her to change career paths and go into medicine so she could help other cancer patients and their families. “My uncle is not just a simple statistic. He is much more than that and Stage IV Mesothelioma will not define him. The people diagnosed with mesothelioma are real loving people,” she wrote.
“Awareness about asbestos is extremely crucial for every individual to be knowledgeable of, to prevent this crippling disease or catch it in the early stages.”
About Mesothelioma
Each year, about 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, a deadly cancer that affects the lining of the chest cavity and lungs. The cancer is caused by exposure to microscopic asbestos fibers, which are inhaled and can lodge in the body.
For decades, asbestos was commonly used in construction, industrial and household materials. Although it is recognized as a known carcinogen, asbestos is still not banned in the United States.
Mesothelioma can develop 15 to 60 years after a person was exposed to asbestos.
About the Scholarship Contest
The Jan Egerton & Don Smitley Mesothelioma Scholarships are named after two respected mesothelioma warriors who put up a brave fight against the devastating cancer. Four scholarships are awarded each year to deserving students in universities and colleges throughout the country.
In total, $5,000 in scholarships was awarded this year to four dedicated students. Out of dozens of impressive entries, the winners were selected based on the thoughtful and heartfelt essays they wrote.
The MesotheliomaHelp.org scholarship contest is generously funded by the nationally recognized asbestos law firm of Belluck & Fox, LLP.
“We are proud to support these deserving college students in their mission to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos and its long-term health effects,” Belluck & Fox managing partner Joseph Belluck explained. “As a law firm focused on fighting for those harmed by asbestos, we know how important it is to warn people about exposure, and we appreciate these students for sharing their personal stories and insights.”
About MesotheliomaHelp.org
Mesothelioma Help is a comprehensive resource for individuals and families who are coping with a mesothelioma diagnosis. The site connects patients and caregivers with knowledgeable medical providers, respected legal professionals and the most up-to-date information on treatment developments. Get directions to Mesothelioma Help now to learn more about mesothelioma.
Atlanta Paramedic Wins Second Place in Mesothelioma Scholarship Contest
MesotheliomaHelp.org is proud to award a nursing student from Albany State University in Georgia with the $1,250 second-place prize as part of the organization’s annual Jan Egerton & Don Smitley Mesothelioma Scholarship contest. Kelley Ann McGill, of Atlanta, was one of four students from across the nation to earn a scholarship in this year’s essay contest.
In her essay, Kelley shared the story of her grandfather, a former electrical engineer who had always prided himself on working hard to stay healthy. Unfortunately, her grandfather’s work environment was not always a healthy one, and over the course of his career, he was exposed to the deadly mineral asbestos. In November 2017, he was diagnosed with Stage 3 small-cell lung cancer.
Kelley became her grandfather’s caregiver during the day, helping with medication, food and all his other needs. She has seen firsthand the toll that asbestos diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma can take on a person and a family. And she knows how difficult it can be to keep fighting.
“Do not take your good days for granted,” she advises in her essay. “I celebrate every good day that I have with my grandfather, the days that he is fussing at me for not getting enough sleep, or the days that he is spirited enough to give my stepdad, uncle, or mom a hard time. Cherish every smile, every laugh, every hug, every kiss, and every soft spoken ‘I love you too.’”
Since her grandfather’s diagnosis, Kelley has worked hard to educate herself and others about asbestos and its effects on the body. Already a paramedic, she has decided to further her education and earn a degree in nursing so she can do more for patients like her grandfather. She plans to use the scholarship money toward this goal.
About the Scholarship Contest
The Jan Egerton & Don Smitley Mesothelioma Scholarships are awarded each year to deserving students in universities and colleges throughout the United States. The scholarships are named after two respected mesothelioma warriors who put up a brave fight against the devastating asbestos cancer.
In total, $5,000 in scholarships was awarded this year to four deserving students. Out of dozens of outstanding entries, the winners were selected based on the well-researched and heartfelt essays they submitted.
The MesotheliomaHelp.org scholarships are generously funded by the nationally mesothelioma lawyers of Belluck & Fox, LLP.
“We are proud to support these deserving college students in their mission to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos and its long-term health effects,” Belluck & Fox managing partner Joseph Belluck explained. “As a law firm focused on fighting for those harmed by asbestos, we know how important it is to warn people about exposure, and we appreciate these students for sharing their personal stories and insights.”
Asbestos and Mesothelioma Cancer
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fiber that has been shown to cause deadly diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. For many decades, asbestos was commonly used in thousands of industrial, building and household products. Even today, despite being a known carcinogen, asbestos is not banned in the United States.
People were typically exposed to asbestos at work or during their time in the military. Some were exposed to asbestos in their homes.
Mesothelioma and lung cancer develop when microscopic asbestos fibers are inhaled and lodge in the lining of the chest wall and lungs or in the lungs themselves. Cancer can develop decades after a person was exposed to asbestos, and it is typically diagnosed in the later stages.
About MesotheliomaHelp.org
MesotheliomaHelp.org is a comprehensive resource for individuals and families who are coping with a mesothelioma diagnosis. The site connects patients and caregivers with knowledgeable medical providers, respected legal professionals and the most up-to-date information on treatment developments. Visit MesotheliomaHelp.org now to learn more about the disease.
Blood Test in Study for Predicting Lung Cancer Recurrence Could Also Help Guide Mesothelioma Treatment
In January, MesotheliomaHelp reported on the use of a Biocept, Inc. blood test as a possible early detection tool for mesothelioma. Now, the company reports it is testing the same tool to determine if it can help predict disease recurrence in lung cancer patients.
According to a July 23 press release from Biocept, Inc., the company is partnering with UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center with two clinical studies – one to predict cancer recurrence and another to predict treatment response. The studies will use Biocept’s Target Selector liquid biopsy assays to detect circulating tumor cells and circulating tumor DNA. To determine accuracy of the tests, the results will be compared with findings from CT or PET scans.
Even though there have been advances in the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation, the two organizations note the risk for “post-resection [after surgery] disease recurrence” in stage II or stage III cancers remains “unacceptably high.” The teams collaborating on the clinical studies are looking at lung, breast and colon cancer patients with Stage II or III recurrent cancer. They hope to find a way to predict disease recurrence in high risk patients via a blood sample, using biomarkers as a guide.
“The current standard of care to assess disease recurrence is CT imaging, which may only detect recurrence after significant organ damage has occurred,” said Razelle Kurzrock, M.D., Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy and Clinical Trials Office director, Moores Cancer at UC San Diego Health. “Detecting disease recurrence in these patients with a blood sample may enable more rapid and comprehensive treatment options.”
When surgeons operate on cancer patients, it is with a goal to remove as much of the malignancy as possible, and to achieve a macroscopically-complete resection, which refers to the removal of all visible tumor cells. However, it is the microscopic cells that may be left behind that can thrive and spread, leading to recurrence.
Mesothelioma, an unusual form of cancer caused by the dangerous asbestos. Exposure to airborne asbestos fibers, often has a complex growth pattern making complete surgical removal a very difficult task. Use of a simple blood test that could predict a mesothelioma patient’s potential for recurrence and response to treatments could mean extended survival.
“We believe that clinical results from our patented technologies can provide physicians with important information to better predict a patient’s response to therapy and monitor their disease progress and recurrence, which can lead to better patient outcomes,” said Biocept’s President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Nall.
Although mesothelioma and lung cancer are distinct cancers, the treatment protocol is similar. The mesothelioma community closely follows lung cancer research in the hopes that the results translate to pleural mesothelioma care. The results of these studies will be followed closely. Approximately 3,000 Americans are diagnosed each year with the terminal cancer.
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