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Malignant mesotheliomas are rather uncommon neoplasms associated primarily with asbestos exposure; however, they may also arise as second primary malignancies after radiation therapy, with a latency period of 15-25 years. Numerous studies have reported an association between pleural malignant mesothelioma and chest radiation performed for other malignancies; on the other hand, post-irradiation ...

PURPOSE This report describes the data and analysis leading to the approval of pemetrexed (LY 231514, MTA, Alimta, Eli Lilly and Co., Indianapolis, IN) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of a New Drug Application for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The FDA review of the efficacy and safety of pemetrexed assessed in a randomized clinical t...

This study reviews a series of 811 malignant pleural mesothelioma cases, diagnosed at hospitals in Trieste and Monfalcone districts of north eastern Italy, a narrow coastal strip with a population of about three lakh, in the period 1968-2008. The diagnosis was based on histological examination in 801 cases, and cytological findings in 10. Necropsy was performed in 610 cases. Occupational histor...

PURPOSE Despite extensive clinical research, no effective therapy for advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma has been established. In this study, we induced apoptosis in patients with this disease, using intrapleural perfusion hyperthermo-chemotherapy, a new procedure developed in our surgical department. We then measured the tumorcidal effect. MATERIAL AND METHODS Our study included 6 conse...

PURPOSE Serum osteopontin levels in patients with malignant mesothelioma have been reported to be higher than in healthy subjects. This study assessed serum osteopontin levels in an asbestos-exposed population to test whether nonmalignant asbestos-related disorders could influence osteopontin levels. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN This cross-sectional study evaluated serum osteopontin levels in 525 male...

A n estimated 150 000 patients develop a pleural effusion each year in the UK. Establishing the aetiology of pleural effusions can be challenging as they can be associated with over 50 systemic or pulmonary disorders. Exudative pleural fluids arise from plasma extravasation and contain proteins and cells from the systemic circulation, as well as those released locally from the pleura. This mili...

BACKGROUND Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) results from malignant transformation of mesothelial cells. Past asbestos exposure represents a major risk factor for MPM and other benign pleural disease. Soluble mesothelin-related peptides (SMRP) have been regarded as a promising serum biomarker for MPM. The aim of this study was to investigate serum levels of SMRP in malignant and nonmalignant...

We present a rare case of a 46-year-old man presenting with mucinous ascites secondary to malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) that was diagnosed via colonoscopy with biopsies. Both our findings and the clinical presentation were unique. While it is widely known that asbestos exposure is commonly associated with pleural mesothelioma, 6-10% of malignant mesotheliomas arise from the peritoneum...

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a disease with a poor prognosis, related in part to the aggressiveness of this disease, and in part due to the lack of drugs that have demonstrated tumor activity. Historically, antifolates such as methotrexate have been the most active drugs in the treatment of mesothelioma. Newer antifolates have recently demonstrated higher efficacy than older regimens...