Click here to watch Dr. Salgia’s Presentation
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query mesothelioma. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query mesothelioma. Sort by date Show all posts
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
IMIG 2014: Dr. Ravi Salgia presents “From Chaos to Mitochondrial Functionality”
Click here to watch Dr. Salgia’s Presentation
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Curcumin, special peptides boost cancer-blocking PIAS3 to neutralize cancer-activating STAT3 in mesothelioma
 Malignant mesothelioma has received widespread notoriety because it occurs frequently in the lung linings of people exposed to asbestos. However, asbestos does not always cause this particular cancer that kills 43,000 people worldwide each year. Many mesothelioma patients were never exposed to asbestos. "Mesothelioma is a disease that continues to have a significant burden worldwide, and the treatment option is really suboptimal. We must find better ways to treat it," said senior author Afshin Dowlati, MD, Professor of Medicine -- Hematology/Oncology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and member of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. "We now understand the mechanisms that drive cell proliferation and growth in malignant mesothelioma." The culprit in sparking many cancers, particularly mesothelioma, is the intracellular protein and transcription factor STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3). A signal transducer and activator is a pathway for instructing the growth and survival of cells, and a transcription factor is a protein that controls genetic information directing cells how to perform. STAT3 is notorious for sending signals to trigger the onset of human cancers and to fuel their continued growth. The great neutralizer of STAT3 is PIAS3 (protein inhibitor of activated STAT3). PIAS3 possesses the strength to inhibit and block STAT3's ability to cause cancer. In this study, investigators assessed... |
Monday, October 27, 2014
IMIG: Dr. Constantine Alifrangis Speaks on Next Generation Sequencing in Mesothelioma
Monday, March 28, 2016
Pleural mesothelioma reported in a school teacher: asbestos exposure due to DAS paste
The hazardous legacy exposures of school children and art teachers to materials containing asbestos fiber, ie. Fibro Clay, and its causal relationship to mesothelioma, has been reported in a recent medical journal. Today's post is partially shared from ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed
BACKGROUND:
Malignant mesothelioma cases among primary school teachers are usually linked with asbestos exposure due to the mineral contained in the building structure. Among the approximately 12,000 cases of mesothelioma described in the fourth report of the National Mesothelioma Register, 11 cases of primary school teachers are reported, in spite of the fact that the "catalogue of asbestos use" does not describe circumstances of asbestos exposure other than or different to that due to asbestos contained in the buildings. Four cases in the Brescia Provincial Mesothelioma Register are identified as teachers, without this circumstance of exposure.
Sunday, July 3, 2022
NJ Supreme Court Enhances Workplace Safety and Adopts an Updated Standard for Medical Causation
A divided NJ Supreme Court upheld a verdict for an employee who suffered mesothelioma, a fatal cancer, as a result of a product manufacturer’s failure to warn of the lethal nature of the product in the workplace. The Court acknowledged that even minor exposure to asbestos could cause disease.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Mesothelioma: New findings on treatment options
| Today's post is shared from sciencedaily.com/ Treating patients with high-dose radiotherapy after chemotherapy and surgery for malignant pleural mesothelioma does not achieve improvements in local relapse and overall survival, according to data from a prospective randomized phase II trial presented at ESMO 2014 Congress in Madrid. "Mesothelioma remains a difficult disease to find better treatment options for, so we asked whether high-dose hemithoracic radiotherapy would decrease the rate or delay the time of local recurrence after chemotherapy and radical surgery," says lead author Prof Rolf A. Stahel, from the Clinic and Policlinic for Oncology, at the University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland, and current President of the European Society for Medical Oncology. The multicentre trial included 153 patients with surgically-treatable malignant pleural mesothelioma, who were first treated with three chemotherapy cycles of cisplatin and pemetrexed, followed by surgical removal of affected lung tissue, with the goal of complete removal of the cancerous areas of lung. In a second part of the study, researchers randomly assigned 54 patients to receive either radiotherapy or no further treatment, with the primary endpoint being the duration of relapse-free survival. While there had been preliminary evidence suggesting that the addition of radiotherapy might improve outcomes, the study failed to find any differences in relapse-free survival between patients treated with the additional radiotherapy, and those who were not. ... |
Friday, November 22, 2013
Overlooked Lymph Nodes in Rib Cage Have Prognostic Power for Mesothelioma Patients
| A potential tool to diagnosis and treatment mesothelioma has been reported.
For the first time, researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have shown the predictive power of a group of overlooked lymph nodes--known as the posterior intercostal lymph nodes--that could serve as a better tool to stage and ultimately treat patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Physicians look to lymph nodes to stage essentially all cancers, including mesothelioma. The presence or absence of metastatic cancer cells in lymph nodes affects prognosis and also typically dictates the optimal treatment strategy. But posterior intercostal lymph nodes, which are located between the ribs near the spine, have not been previously used to stage or guide treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma or any other cancer. |
Friday, March 5, 2010
Possible Vaccine for Mesothelioma
A vaccine has been demonstrated as safe for potential use against mesothelioma. The research, conducted by Netherlands scientists was reported in an advance publication of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care.
The scientists concluded that, This study demonstrated that autologous tumor lysate-pulsed dendritic cell-based therapy is feasible, well-tolerated, and capable of inducing immunological response to tumor cells in mesothelioma patients."
The scientists concluded that, This study demonstrated that autologous tumor lysate-pulsed dendritic cell-based therapy is feasible, well-tolerated, and capable of inducing immunological response to tumor cells in mesothelioma patients."
Mesothelioma is a rare and fatal malignant tumor associated with asbestos exposure. Asbestos was mined and its fiber used for fire-retartant insulation properties. Asbestos use has resulted in an a legacy of illness and death decades following exposure because of the latent and progressive nature of the disease. Asbestos production is not yet banned in the United States.
Findings indicated that, "Administration of dendritic cells pulsed with autologous tumor lysate in mesothelioma patients was safe with moderate fever as the only side effect.There were no grade 3 or 4 toxicities associated with the vaccines or any evidence of autoimmunity. Local accumulations of infiltrating T cells were found at the site of vaccination. The vaccinations induced distinct immunological responses to KLH, both in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, after three vaccinations, cytotoxic activity against autologous tumor cells was detected in a subgroup of patients."
The Study: J. P Hegmans, J. D. Veltman, M. E Lambers, I. J. M. de Vries, C. G. Figdor, R. W Hendriks, H. C. Hoogsteden, B. N. Lambrecht, and J. G. Aerts , Consolidative Dendritic Cell-Based Immunotherapy Elicits Cytotoxicity Against Malignant Mesothelioma, Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 2010 0: 200909-1465OCv1-
More articles about this research:
Health Day: Vaccine for Asbestos-Related Cancer Looks Safe. In tests, novel immunotherapy appears to combat mesothelioma tumors.
Findings indicated that, "Administration of dendritic cells pulsed with autologous tumor lysate in mesothelioma patients was safe with moderate fever as the only side effect.There were no grade 3 or 4 toxicities associated with the vaccines or any evidence of autoimmunity. Local accumulations of infiltrating T cells were found at the site of vaccination. The vaccinations induced distinct immunological responses to KLH, both in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, after three vaccinations, cytotoxic activity against autologous tumor cells was detected in a subgroup of patients."
The Study: J. P Hegmans, J. D. Veltman, M. E Lambers, I. J. M. de Vries, C. G. Figdor, R. W Hendriks, H. C. Hoogsteden, B. N. Lambrecht, and J. G. Aerts , Consolidative Dendritic Cell-Based Immunotherapy Elicits Cytotoxicity Against Malignant Mesothelioma, Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 2010 0: 200909-1465OCv1-
More articles about this research:
Health Day: Vaccine for Asbestos-Related Cancer Looks Safe. In tests, novel immunotherapy appears to combat mesothelioma tumors.
Science News: Possible Vaccine for Mesothelioma Proven Safe.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Systematic review of response rates of sarcomatoid malignant pleural mesotheliomas in clinical trials
Systemic chemotherapy treatment for mesothelioma patients has been reported to less effective on patients with sarcomatoid tumors. A recent study has been reported in Lung Cancer.
"Abstract Rationale
Malignant pleural mesothelioma is an almost universally fatal malignancy primarily related to asbestos exposure. Based on the differences in immunologic markers and gene expression between histologic subtypes of mesothelioma, and our clinical impression that response rates vary by histology, we decided to examine the reported response rates of mesothelioma subtypes.
Objectives
Our objective was to compare the response rates of sarcomatoid mesotheliomas to the overall response rates in published clinical trials.
Methods
We searched PubMed for “mesothelioma” with the clinical trials filter selected. We included articles published between January 1, 2000 and March 20, 2014 in which subjects received first or second line systemic therapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Studies investigating multi-modality therapy including surgery were excluded. Response rates [including 95% confidence intervals (95% CI)] were estimated for the entire patient cohort and then separately for subjects with sarcomatoid tumors.
Measurements and main results
We reviewed 544 publications of which 41 trials met our inclusion criteria. Eleven of these trials did not include patients with sarcomatoid mesothelioma (27% of eligible studies). The remaining 30 publications included 1475 subjects, 1011 with epithelioid tumors (68.5%), 203 with biphasic tumors (13.8%), 137 with sarcomatoid tumors (9.3%) and 124 with unknown subtypes (8.4%). In total, there were 323 responses (21.9%, complete and partial responses, 95% CI: 16.3, 28.8) to systemic therapy across all histological subtypes. In patients with sarcomatoid tumors (n = 137) 19 responses were observed. This accounted for 5.9% of all responses and yields a 13.9% (95% CI: 8.6, 21.6) response rate for patients with sarcomatoid tumors. Multiple biases likely affected this systematic review.
Conclusion
Response rates for different histological subtypes of malignant pleural mesothelioma are infrequently reported. Partial and complete responses to systemic therapies appear to be less common among patients with sarcomatoid tumors.
James T. Symanowskib,
Tobias Peikertc
a Department of Oncology, Division of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
b Department of Cancer Biostatistics, Levine Cancer Institute Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC, United States
c Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2014.08.017 "
"Abstract Rationale
Malignant pleural mesothelioma is an almost universally fatal malignancy primarily related to asbestos exposure. Based on the differences in immunologic markers and gene expression between histologic subtypes of mesothelioma, and our clinical impression that response rates vary by histology, we decided to examine the reported response rates of mesothelioma subtypes.
Objectives
Our objective was to compare the response rates of sarcomatoid mesotheliomas to the overall response rates in published clinical trials.
Methods
We searched PubMed for “mesothelioma” with the clinical trials filter selected. We included articles published between January 1, 2000 and March 20, 2014 in which subjects received first or second line systemic therapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Studies investigating multi-modality therapy including surgery were excluded. Response rates [including 95% confidence intervals (95% CI)] were estimated for the entire patient cohort and then separately for subjects with sarcomatoid tumors.
Measurements and main results
We reviewed 544 publications of which 41 trials met our inclusion criteria. Eleven of these trials did not include patients with sarcomatoid mesothelioma (27% of eligible studies). The remaining 30 publications included 1475 subjects, 1011 with epithelioid tumors (68.5%), 203 with biphasic tumors (13.8%), 137 with sarcomatoid tumors (9.3%) and 124 with unknown subtypes (8.4%). In total, there were 323 responses (21.9%, complete and partial responses, 95% CI: 16.3, 28.8) to systemic therapy across all histological subtypes. In patients with sarcomatoid tumors (n = 137) 19 responses were observed. This accounted for 5.9% of all responses and yields a 13.9% (95% CI: 8.6, 21.6) response rate for patients with sarcomatoid tumors. Multiple biases likely affected this systematic review.
Conclusion
Response rates for different histological subtypes of malignant pleural mesothelioma are infrequently reported. Partial and complete responses to systemic therapies appear to be less common among patients with sarcomatoid tumors.
Received: June 18, 2014; Received in revised form: August 18, 2014; Accepted: August 22, 2014; Published Online: September 01, 2014
Aaron S. Mansfielda, , ,James T. Symanowskib,
Tobias Peikertc
a Department of Oncology, Division of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
b Department of Cancer Biostatistics, Levine Cancer Institute Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC, United States
c Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2014.08.017 "
Monday, October 27, 2014
IMIG 2014: New Molecules and New Therapies – Advancing Mesothelioma Carehttp://imig.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/fennell.jpg
Click here to watch Dean Fennell
Sunday, January 7, 2024
Household Contact Awarded $30 Million Verdict for Mesothelioma
Employers have a responsibility not only to their employees but also to their household contacts, individuals who live in the employee’s home. Employees who are exposed at work may carry the toxic substances home on their clothes or their body.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Mesothelioma Compensation Rate 32% in Canada
When combined with a history of occupational asbestos exposure, mesothelioma is often presumed work-related.
In Canada, workers diagnosed with mesothelioma caused by occupational asbestos exposure are often eligible for compensation under provincial workers' compensation boards. Although occupational asbestos exposure causes the majority of mesothelioma, Canadian research suggests less than half of workers actually apply for compensation.
Alberta's mandatory reporting requirements may produce higher filing rates but this is currently unknown. This study evaluates Alberta's mesothelioma filing and compensation rates.
METHODS: Demographic information on all mesothelioma patients diagnosed between 1980 and 2004 were extracted from the Alberta Cancer Board's Cancer Registry and linked to Workers' Compensation Board of Alberta claims data.
RESULTS: Alberta recorded a total of 568 histologically confirmed mesothelioma cases between 1980 and 2004. Forty-two percent of cases filed a claim; 83% of filed claims were accepted for compensation.
CONCLUSIONS: Patient under-reporting of compensable mesothelioma is a problem and raises larger questions regarding under-reporting of other asbestos-related cancers in Alberta. Strategies should focus on increasing filing rates where appropriate.
Cree MW, Lalji M, Jiang B, Carriere KC. Am J Ind Med. 2009 Jul;52(7):526-33. PMID: 19484745 [PubMed - in process]
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Mesothelioma: Two Groundbreaking Trials Into Treatments for Asbestos-Related Cancer
| Mesothelioma is causally related to asbestos exposure. Asbestos use is not yet banned in the US. This story is shared from sciencedaily.com.
University of Leicester researchers are leading two major trials into treatments for a type of cancer which affects those exposed to asbestos.
Mesothelioma most commonly starts in the inner lining of the chest wall, causing it to thicken, reducing lung capacity -- which in turn puts a strain on other organs including the heart. Since the 1960s, it has been known that the disease can be triggered by the inhalation of asbestos fibres. Despite the UK's ban on asbestos issued in 1985, the number of deaths caused by the disease each year has grown from 153 in 1968 to 2,321 in 2009 -- the highest incidence in the world. This number is set to continue to rise sharply over the next 20 years, with a peak coming in 2020. Two studies involving the University of Leicester aim to test new potential treatments which could improve survival and quality of life for mesothelioma patients. Meso2, a study funded by Synta Pharmaceuticals, aims to test the effectiveness of a drug called ganetespib in preventing mesothelioma tumors. Ganetespib inhibits the action of a protein in cells called heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) -- which is... |
Thursday, September 30, 2010
New Biomarkers Discovered for Mesothelioma May Lead to Early Detection
This technology would enable better clinical diagnosis at an earlier stage and may provide insight into new therapeutic targets, said Rachel Ostroff, Ph.D., clinical research director of Somalogic Inc.
“Currently these cancers are detected at an advanced stage, where the possibility of cure is minimal,” said Ostroff. “Detection of these aggressive cancers at an earlier stage would identify patients for early treatment, which may improve their survival and quality of life.”
Ostroff presented results of this ongoing study at the Fourth AACR International Conference on Molecular Diagnostics in Cancer Therapeutic Development.
Discovered about 20 years ago, aptamers are nucleic acid molecules that bind to specific proteins. SomaLogic has developed the next generation of aptamers, SOMAmers (Slow Off-rate Modified Aptamers), which have superior affinity and specificity. SOMAmers enable a highly multiplexed proteomic platform used for simultaneous identification and quantification of target proteins in complex biological samples.
The goal of this study was to determine if this proteomics technology could identify blood-based biomarkers for pancreatic cancer or mesothelioma in people diagnosed, but not yet treated, for cancer.
Participants in the control group had symptoms that resembled these cancers, but were benign (i.e. pancreatitis or lung fibrosis).
Ostroff and colleagues tested blood from participants to discover the biomarkers specific to those with cancer, which would then be used to identify these diseases at an early stage, where the potential for effective treatment is much higher than in disease that has progressed.
For both forms of cancer, the researchers discovered biomarkers and developed a signature with high accuracy for detection of each form of cancer. Equally important, they found high specificity, meaning few people without disease will be incorrectly diagnosed and thus avoid unnecessary tests or treatments.
“Validation studies are underway, which we hope will lead to the development of diagnostic tests that hold clinical benefits for patients,” Ostroff said.
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related pulmonary cancer that causes an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 deaths per year worldwide.
For over 3 decades the Law Offices of Jon L. Gelman 1.973.696.7900 jon@gelmans.com have been representing injured workers and their families who have suffered asbestos related disease.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Asbestos Can Take Your Breath Away, Forever
Today's post was shared by Linda Reinstein and comes from blog.saferchemicals.org
| The time is now for the Senate to unanimously support the passage of the Safe Chemicals Act (S.847). We need to do more to protect our children from BPAs, fire retardants and other dangerous toxins in our world. What many don’t realize is that asbestos is still legal and lethal in theUnited States, tragically impacting families. I know because it happened to us. I remember the day when my husband AlanAlan Was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma as if it were yesterday. We had never heard of mesothelioma, and we were devastated when we learned that there is no cure. Our daughter was only ten years old when we began our arduous family battle to fight mesothelioma and work with Congress To ban asbestos. |
Friday, December 13, 2013
Petition Aims to Build First Federally Funded Mesothelioma Program
As the youngest person to become chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Elmo Zumwalt played a major role in U.S. military history -- a war hero whose service spanned World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
It's only appropriate that the Mesothelioma Center for Excellence at the VA West Los Angeles Medical Center is adopting his name. Zumwalt died from pleural mesothelioma cancer almost 14 years ago, an ending that far too many veterans have suffered, stemming from the once-extensive use of asbestos in the armed forces. His life was dedicated to those who bravely served their country. Now his memory will be, too. If the efforts to become the first federally funded mesothelioma program are successful, the Elmo Zumwalt Treatment & Research Center in Los Angeles is expected to blossom and become a premier destination for veterans battling this disease. "These (veterans) are our heroes. They've given so much of themselves. They deserve the best care we can give them, particularly with this disease," said Clare Cameron, executive director of the nearby Pacific Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. "I think it is so important to take care of them now. They have earned that right." Help With Petition SignaturesCameron has been gathering petition signatures supporting efforts by the West Los Angeles VA and the Zumwalt family. She will present the petition early in 2014 to Robert Petzel, M.D., Under Secretary for Health for the U.S.... |
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
New Test Announced for Early Detection of Asbestos Related Lung Cancer
In a blinded test performed under the sponsorship of the National Cancer Institute's Early Detection Research Network Biomarker Discovery Lab, researchers detected 15 of 19 cases of stage 1 or stage 2 malignant pleural mesothelioma. The study shows the test is approximately 80 percent sensitive in identifying disease. In addition, the specificity of the test was 100 percent with no false positives.
Malignant pleural mesothelioma is an aggressive, asbestos-related pulmonary cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs. Each year, the disease causes an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 deaths worldwide. It can be fatal within 14 months following diagnosis because of the advanced stage that it is typically found.
The goal of a new diagnostic test is to find the cancer early enough to effectively treat it, according to Harvey I. Pass, MD, director of the Division of Thoracic Surgery and Thoracic Oncology at NYU Langone Medical Center and the NYU Cancer Institute.
"The only patients that seem to benefit from therapy in mesothelioma are those that are found in stage 1, and this is only 10 to 15 percent of patients," said lead researcher Dr. Pass. "Moreover, when found early, the magnitude of the operation necessary to reduce the burden of disease may be less, making the patient better able to cope if the disease recurs and the patient needs more aggressive therapy."
The research team used the "Multiplex SOMAmer Assay" by SomaLogic, Inc. to examine 170 blood samples from 90 patients diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and 80 participants who were previously exposed to asbestos. The technology uses SOMAmers, chemically modified single-stranded DNA molecules to bind specifically to target proteins , to identify and quantify biomarkers.
According to Dr. Pass, this test measures 19 protein biomarkers for malignant pleural mesothelioma and is able to find and quantify the small amount of proteins secreted by tumor cells. Ongoing studies are refining the test and validating the results in other patient blood samples.
For over 3 decades the Law Offices of Jon L. Gelman 1.973.696.7900 jon@gelmans.com have been representing injured workers and their families who have suffered asbestos related disease.
Friday, October 25, 2013
That time Big Tobacco sold asbestos as the "Greatest Health Protection in Cigarette History"
Smokers puffed their way through 13 billion Kents between March 1952 and May 1956, when Lorillard changed the filter design. Six decades later, the legal fallout continues—just last month, a Florida jury awarded more than $3.5 million in damages to a former Kent smoker stricken with mesothelioma, an extremely rare and deadly asbestos-related cancer that typically shows up decades after the initial exposures.  Lorillard and Hollingsworth & Vose, the company that supplied the asbestos filter material, face numerous claims from mesothelioma sufferers, both factory workers who produced the cigarettes or filter material and former smokers who say they inhaled the microscopic fibers. (The companies insist that hardly any fibers escaped.) There's been a burst of new lawsuits in the last few years, according to SEC filings, possibly because a mesothelioma patient these days is almost certain to be asked by his doctor or lawyer, "Did you happen to smoke Kents in the 1950s?"While there's no official count, records and interviews suggest that mesothelioma claims since the 1980s number in the low hundreds at least. ... |
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Minimum Latency & Types or Categories of Cancer Revised for WTC Program
The WTC Program Administrator has determined minimum latencies for the following five types or categories of cancer eligible for coverage in the WTC Health Program:
(1) Mesothelioma—11 years, based on direct observation after exposure to mixed forms of asbestos;
(2) All solid cancers (other than mesothelioma, lymphoproliferative, thyroid, and childhood cancers)—4 years, based on low estimates used for lifetime risk modeling of low-level ionizing radiation studies;
(3) Lymphoproliferative and hematopoietic cancers (including all types of leukemia and lymphoma)—0.4 years (equivalent to 146 days), based on low estimates used for lifetime risk modeling of low-level ionizing radiation studies;
(4) Thyroid cancer—2.5 years, based on low estimates used for lifetime risk modeling of low level ionizing radiation studies; and
(5) Childhood cancers (other than lymphoproliferative and hematopoietic cancers)—1 year, based on the National Academy of Sciences findings.
According to the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 ("Act") (42 U.S.C. §§ 300mm to 300mm-61), a determination that an individual's 9/11 exposure is substantially likely to be a significant factor in aggravating, contributing to, or causing an individual’s health condition must be made based on an assessment of the following: (1) the individual's exposure to airborne toxins, any other hazard, or any other adverse condition resulting from the terrorist attacks; and (2) the type of symptoms and temporal sequence of symptoms (42 U.S.C. § 300mm-22(a)(2)). With regard to the temporal sequence of symptoms, cancers do not occur immediately after exposure to a causative agent and they usually take many years up to several decades to manifest clinically.
Click here to read the entire revised policy. (1/6/2015)
Related articles
(1) Mesothelioma—11 years, based on direct observation after exposure to mixed forms of asbestos;
(2) All solid cancers (other than mesothelioma, lymphoproliferative, thyroid, and childhood cancers)—4 years, based on low estimates used for lifetime risk modeling of low-level ionizing radiation studies;
(3) Lymphoproliferative and hematopoietic cancers (including all types of leukemia and lymphoma)—0.4 years (equivalent to 146 days), based on low estimates used for lifetime risk modeling of low-level ionizing radiation studies;
(4) Thyroid cancer—2.5 years, based on low estimates used for lifetime risk modeling of low level ionizing radiation studies; and
(5) Childhood cancers (other than lymphoproliferative and hematopoietic cancers)—1 year, based on the National Academy of Sciences findings.
According to the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 ("Act") (42 U.S.C. §§ 300mm to 300mm-61), a determination that an individual's 9/11 exposure is substantially likely to be a significant factor in aggravating, contributing to, or causing an individual’s health condition must be made based on an assessment of the following: (1) the individual's exposure to airborne toxins, any other hazard, or any other adverse condition resulting from the terrorist attacks; and (2) the type of symptoms and temporal sequence of symptoms (42 U.S.C. § 300mm-22(a)(2)). With regard to the temporal sequence of symptoms, cancers do not occur immediately after exposure to a causative agent and they usually take many years up to several decades to manifest clinically.
Click here to read the entire revised policy. (1/6/2015)
Related articles
Friday, November 25, 2011
Asbestos, Railroads and The US Supreme Court
For decades railroad equipment, including engines, were heavily insulated with asbestos fiber, a known carcinogen and causally related to mesothelioma, a rare and fatal cancer. Many lawsuits have been filed by victims and their families to recover benefits against the suppliers, manufacturers and distributors of asbestos fiber. This month, The US Supreme Court heard oral argument to determine whether state laws were preempted under Federal law and that state laws were not applicable in judging the lawsuits.
The initial claims for asbestos related diseases were filed as workers' compensation claims in the United States. Soon it was revealed that the suppliers, distributors and health research (trade) organizations were concealing information to the workers as to the deadly dangers of asbestos fiber. As asbestos related disease, including mesothelioma, became epidemic, tens of thousands of civil claims were filed.
As a result of the long latency period from exposure to asbestos fiber to disease manifestation, the claims continue to be filed on behalf of former workers and their estates. While the exposures are usually multi-faceted, the issue regarding which law will cover railroad claims remains unresolved.
Gloria Gail Kurns, Executrix of the Estate of George M. Corson, Deceased, et al., Petitioners v. Railroad Friction Products Corporation, No. 10-879.
US Supreme Court Opinion
SCOTUSblog Coverage
- Argument recap: Contending with old precedent
- Argument preview: Preemption under the Locomotive Inspection Act
Briefs and Documents
Merits Briefs for PetitionersAmicus Briefs in Support of the Petitioners
- Brief for the Academy of Rail Labor Attorneys
- Brief for the American Association for Justice
- Brief for the National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees
- Brief for Public Justice, P.C.
- Brief for Public Law Scholars
- Brief for the United States
Amicus Briefs in Support of the Respondents
- Brief for Thyssenkrupp Budd Company
- Brief for the National Association of Manufacturers
- Brief for General Electric Corporation
- Brief for John Crane Inc.
- Brief for Chamber of Commerce
- Brief for the Washington Legal Foundation
- Brief for DRI-The Voice of the Defense Bar
- Brief for Griffin Wheel Company
- Brief for the Association of American Railroads
- Petition for certiorari
- Brief in opposition for Railroad Friction Products Corp. (unavailable)
- Response to petition for VIAD
- Supplemental brief for respondent VIAD
- Supplemental brief for respondent Railroad Friction Products Corp.
For over 3 decades the Law Offices of Jon L. Gelman 1.973.696.7900 jon@gelmans.com have been representing injured workers and their families who have suffered occupational accidents and illnesses.
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