Mesothelioma survival rates have never been very good but there is hope for current and future patients and families for better mesothelioma life expectancy
Payers beware: Bristol-Myers prices PD-1 cancer med at $143,000 in Japan In this article published September 4, 2014 By Tracy Staton it is reported that the cost for a new cancer drug will be $143k. Not sure if that is for just one dose or a complete cure. The listed price is for patients in Japan, but when available here it is expected to cost even more.
Bristol-Myers Squibb and Celgene Enter Clinical Collaboration Agreement to Evaluate Immunotherapy and Chemotherapy Combination Regimen Phase I study to evaluate OPDIVO (nivolumab), Bristol-Myers Squibb’s investigational PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor, with Celgene’s ABRAXANE® for multiple cancers NEW YORK & SUMMIT, N.J. August 20 — Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) and Celgene Corporation (Nasdaq:CELG) announced today the establishment of a clinical tri al collaboration to evaluate the safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy of a combination regimen of Bristol-Myers Squibb’s investigational PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor, OPDIVO (nivolumab), and Celgene’s nab® technology-based chemotherapy ABRAXANE® (paclitaxel protein-bound particles for injectable suspension) (albumin-bound), in a Phase I study. Multiple tumor types will be explored in the study including HER-2 negative metastatic breast cancer, pancreatic cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The proprietary name OPDIVO has been proposed in the U.S. and other countries, but remains subject to health authority approval. “Through this collaboration, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Celgene will work together to advance the science and understanding of how the body’s own immune system and chemotherapy might work together to fight cancer.” OPDIVO is part of a new class of cancer treatments known as immunotherapies that are designed to harness the body’s own immune system in fighting cancer. OPDIVO targets distinct regulatory components of the immune system, while ABRAXANE works by interfering with the ability of cancer cells to divide. By combining an immunotherapy with a standard chemotherapy, the companies will explore whether these two agents may lead to an enhanced anti-tumor response compared to either agent alone. “Bristol-Myers Squibb continues to forge partnerships focused on exploring the effects of combination regimens that utilize promising therapies from our immuno-oncology portfolio,” said Michael Giordano, senior vice president, Oncology Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb. “Through this collaboration, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Celgene will work together to advance the science and understanding of how the body’s own immune system and chemotherapy might work together to fight cancer.” “Our collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb further underscores our commitment to understanding and modulating the immune system to advance the treatment paradigm in cancer,” said Markus Renschler, MD, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Hematology & Oncology Medical Affairs, Celgene. “We believe that ABRAXANE is appropriate as a combination partner for novel immuno-oncology therapies due to its proven anti-tumor activity and that it can be administered without steroid premedication.” The study, which is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2014, will be conducted by Celgene. Patients with HER-2 negative breast cancer will be treated with ABRAXANE and OPDIVO, patients with NSCLC will be treated with the combination of ABRAXANE, carboplatin and OPDIVO, and patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma will be treated with ABRAXANE, gemcitabine and OPDIVO. Additional details of the collaboration were not disclosed. About OPDIVO (nivolumab) Cancer cells may exploit “regulatory” pathways, such as checkpoint pathways, to hide from the immune system and shield the tumor from immu ne attack. OPDIVO is an investigational human PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor that binds to the checkpoint receptor PD-1 (programmed death-1) expressed on activated T-cells. The company is investigating whether by blocking this pathway, OPDIVO would enable the immune system to resume its ability to recognize, attack and destroy cancer cells. OPDIVO was approved in Japan on July 4, 2014 for the treatment of patients with unresectable melanoma and is studied in multiple tumor types consisting of more than 35 trials – as monotherapy or in combination with other therapies – in which more than 7,000 patients have been enrolled worldwide. Among these are several potentially registrational trials in NSCLC, melanoma, renal cell carcinoma (RCC), head and neck cancer, glioblastoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In 2013, the FDA granted Fast Track designation for OPDIVO in NSCLC, melanoma and RCC. In May 2014, the FDA granted OPDIVO Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the treatment of patien ts with Hodgkin lymphoma after failure of autologous stem cell transplant and brentuximab. On July 4, Ono Pharmaceutical Co. announced that OPDIVO received manufacturing and marketing approval in Japan for the treatment of patients with unresectable melanoma, making OPDIVO the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world. About ABRAXANE® ABRAXANE is an albumin-bound form of paclitaxel that is manufactured using patented nab® technology. ABRAXANE is formulated with albumin, a human protein, and is free of solvents. About Bristol-Myers Squibb Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information, please visit www.bms.com or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bmsnews.About Celgene Celgene Corporation, headquartered in Summit, New Jersey, is an integrated global biopharmaceutical company engaged primarily in the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapies for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases through gene and protein regulation. For more information, please visit www.celgene.com. Follow us on Twitter @Celgene as well. Bristol-Myers Squibb Forward-Looking Statement This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding the research, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from current e xpectations. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Among other risks, there can be no guarantee that nivolumab will receive regulatory approval in the U.S. either as a single agent or in a combination regimen, or, if approved, that it will become a commercially successful product. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect Bristol-Myers Squibb’s business, particularly those identified in the cautionary factors discussion in B ristol-Myers Squibb’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Current Reports on Form 8-K. Bristol-Myers Squibb undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Celgene Forward-Looking Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are generally statements that are not his torical facts. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “plans,” “will,” “outlook” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current plans, estimates, assumptions and projections, and speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement in light of new information or future events, except as otherwise required by law. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond our control. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of the impact of a number of factors, many of which are discussed in more detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other reports filed wi th the Securities and Exchange Commission. Contacts Bristol-Myers Squibb Media: La ura Hortas, 609-252-4587 laura.hortas@bms.comInvestors: Ranya Dajani, 609-252-5330 ryan.asay@bms.comCelgene Investors: 908-673-9628 investors@celgene.com
Vinyl composition tiles that had been tested positive for the presence of asbestos are being removed now from Elliott Hall Bldg. A. The renovation project is still ongoing. The university is working to inspect as well as test every university building that contains or may possibly contain asbestos materials as part of an effort for maintaining the safety and health of staff, faculty and students. Structures built before 1980 may possibly contain asbestos or asbestos products. Hornsby, Arnold, Laurel halls and Burleson are some of the buildings constructed before 1980. Don Compton, the associate director of Facilities Planning, Design & Construction, agreed the talk that asbestos is present in many on-campus buildings is not just a rumor, but a fact. “It is a fact that now most of us are well aware of the substance. But it does not imply that none of us are being exposed to asbestos,” Compton said. In the case of Elliott Hall, it is not sure whether the tile of the buildin g had been damaged physically or whether the glue of the tile had become exposed. Kyle Estes, the associate director of Housing & Residential Life, said asbestos and asbestos-containing substances have been removed earlier from the B Building of Elliott Hall. According to the United States EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), vinyl floor tiles and sheet floorings are very common ACMs (asbestos-containing material). According to Estes, first campus-wide asbestos testing in buildings started 10 to 15 years back, and it has been constantly updated since that time. Compton says testing reports are there for every on-campus building, which contains asbestos or materials containing asbestos. Katie Eskridge, a Texas alumna, said that she stayed in the Elliott Hall Bldg as a fresher. “I was moved in by my parents and told that something had been wrong,” said Eskridge. According to Eskridge, she was sick the whole time she stayed in dormitory, and for the very first time, she wa s diagnosed with a lung disease (bronchitis). Eskridge said she could find a connection between her diseases and her (former) living place after moving to College Inn from the Elliott Hall. She said the symptoms of the disease remained for one month, but she didn’t inform it to any hall officials. Compton suggested concerned residents to report any health problems that they think to have a connection with the hall building to a hall staff.
Bloomingdale – A large number of facility projects are going to be finished over this summer. The projects include paving, roof replacement and removal of asbestos. George Hagl, the business administrator of the school district, says work has started already at the Samuel Donald School where floor tiles containing asbestos are being removed from stairwells and hallways of the 1938 portion of school and from a classroom. The education board hired an Iselin company (called Fine Wall Corporation) for the work. The company had submitted a $34,800 bid for installing latest vinyl flooring in the Samuel Donald School. In addition, Fine Wall Corporation will carry out other flooring works in the school district, which will cost the district approximately $16,000. Apart from this, a damaged ceiling in basement maintenance office and a plaster wall will be torn down. Asbestos-containing pipe covering also will be eliminated from that area. The wall demolition task and the asbestos abatement project is said to be finished by 13th July, Hagl said. According to Hagl, the flat roof portions at the school also are going to be replaced. The district has hired a Farmingdale company called ‘Roof Maintenance’ for the work. The company submitted a $242,500 base bid for roofing project. The school district also approved alternate roofing. As part of the work, 2 other roof portions will be replaced at an expense of $32,000 and an addition portion of roof will be replaced, along with related canopy repairs, for $10,000. Broken storm lines would be replaced from the school. The school will also repave the parking lot as the installation of new lines is completed. Mike Fitzpatrick and Son of Oak Ridge has won the contract for this, after submitting a $128,700 base bid. Bathroom renovations also will be there at the Samuel Donald School. The winning bidder is Rockaway Company called TQM Construction, which submitted a 67,600 base bid. TQM will install a new ceiling track as wel l, to be used for a mechanical lift. The job will cost $5,000. Walter Bergen School will install new backstops, poles and basketball hoops, Hagl said. It will also replace a chain link section. The job will be handled by Mike Fitzpatrick and Son. The cost for those would be $4,500 each. The company, which submitted a 41,300 bid, has also won the contract for installing a sewer line at the school and for paving the school’s lower parking lot. The basketball court portion also will be paved by the company.
Wilton – After getting a last opportunity from the state DEP (Department of Environmental Protection), Wilton Waste Recycling has started working dynamically for protecting public from dangerous asbestos present in a Depot Street demolition site owned by the company. A written repair plan for the work site is due for submission to the DEP today. Since 2011 July, the former Forster Mill site has been the center of enforcement efforts by the DEP. It was in last July that the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) initially documented elevated levels of hazardous, carcinogenic substance. Ryan Blyther (currently DBA Downeast Construction), of Scarborough, was the contractor who was mainly liable for the tearing down project. Blyther intentionally pulled workers from the demolition site in last July. However, he is facing penalties from OSHA, which has cited him for several violations of workplace safety. Blyther was sentenced in May to 6 months in federal prison for ste aling almost $50,000 from the American Legion. This happened during a different building project. In June, Wilton Recycling’s Adam Mack met with city officials, the DEP and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and discussed the issue. Depending on the meeting, he was provided with a timetable which set up immediate, solid deadlines for primary steps, DEP spokeswoman Samantha Depoy Warren said. “The owner of the site is given one final chance to start the remediation process, in accordance with a schedule developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the DEP. Mack started actively working on the demolition site on Tuesday. “We recently spent $4,000 for boarding up certain windows and doing some other works agreed by us. We are trying to come forward with a plan. Our firm plans to go ahead and deal with the cleanup,” Mack said on Friday. Checklist of things which was due to be finished by 4th July included items designed for protecting the pu blic by making the site inaccessible. The doors and windows have been boarded up, a dumpster and a debris pile have been covered with tarps, and the way has been blocked. “Those have been completed. The site is completely secured. They have done all they had been supposed to do. Our asbestos specialist went to the building and he has confirmed it,” Depoy-Warren said. Being a dangerous carcinogen, asbestos is a highly regulated material. Asbestos removal is essential prior to any building demolition process.
Frankfort – Work involving Asbestos handling has started on the former Union Fork & Hoe site. The demolition has been scheduled for July last. Citizen Participation Specialist Stephen Litwhiler said asbestos removal would take another two weeks to be completed. The demolition can be started only after that. “Once the structures are demolished and removed, there is going to be a complete investigation into the degree of contamination and how to cleanup the site,” Litwhiler said. Litwhiler says another DEC (Department of Environment and Conservation) fact sheet will be issued after the beginning of remedial investigations. Data given by the Department of Environment and Conservation on the first stage Remediation Measure states apart from the asbestos removal and air monitoring for asbestos, all substances other than wood, block, brick, concrete and steel will be removed from the buildings. Tainted waste will be disposed of, and certain uncontaminated substances, like st eel, block, concrete and brick will be saved and recycled. The site has been categorized as class two in the state registry for inactive waste sites, which indicates threat to the environment or health of the public and that immediate action is necessary. Asbestos removal activities will be carried out by Ames True Temper. There will be supervision given by the Department of Environment and Conservation. The task is being carried out through State Superfund Program, which makes out and typifies suspected inactive dangerous debris disposal sites. As per the DEC fact sheet, there are a number of abandoned industrial buildings on the site. These buildings were a part of the former hand tool maker. Most parts of the site is enclosed by former parking portions and grass fields with a bit more heavily vegetated portions along the boundaries of the site. A well that supplied public water was affected by the site. It is situated near to the site’s northeast. A treatment system had bee n placed on the well in year 1991. A number of environmental investigations were carried out at the site in last twenty five years. In the past, high levels of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds, metals, and Polychlorinated Biphenyls have been documented in the site soils. In addition, the DEC fact sheet says quite a few removal proceedings have been carried out at the site for addressing impacts to the soils over last fifteen years. The site is inactive at present. It has been zoned for industrial as well as commercial use. The nearby area has residential, commercial and industrial uses.
ASDS Unveils Videos Targeting Skin Cancer Prevention A pair of powerful American Society for Dermatologic Surgery videos to raise awareness about the need for men to adopt sun-protective behaviors and the dangers of indoor tanning are being distributed just in time for Skin Cancer Awareness Month in May. Rolling Meadows, Ill. – April 28 – A pair of powerful American Society for Dermatologic Surgery videos to raise awareness about the need for men to adopt sun-protective behaviors and the dangers of indoor tanning are being distributed just in time for Skin Cancer Awareness Month in May. The new videos supply insight into some of the risk factors for skin cancer, by far the most common of all cancers with doctors telling more than 1 million Americans each year they have the disease. “Most skin cancers are preventable,” said ASDS President George J. Hruza, M.D., MBA. “We believe these videos have the potential to convince people across the nation to make modest lifestyle adjustments that could save their lives. Taking the time to share these videos will make a meaningful contribution in combating the fight against skin cancer.” ASDS member Terrence Keaney, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in Washington, D.C., spearheaded the creation of a 30-second public service announcement and a four-minute video that use humor to drive home the importance of sun-safe behaviors in men for a video titled, “Guys, don’t be like Paul.” “I want to raise awareness of the incidence of skin cancer among men,” said Keaney, who created these videos as his project in the ASDS Future Leaders Network program. “I wanted to incorporate humor while delivering a serious message to the audience about male skin cancer risks and prevention.” The fictional patient is shown committing a series of skin-care blunders while taking a dismissive tone during medical appointments. The PSA links to the longer video that shows the patient ignoring the dermatologist’s advice in multiple instances only to find out later he has developed melanoma. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, only 30 percent of men in the U.S. have awareness of skin cancer warning signs. Less than half of men indicated knowledge of how to examine their skin for skin cancer compared to 59 percent of women. The second video features Lisa Pace, a Division I college women’s basketball coach. Pace was a self-described “tan-o-holic” when she attended college. She said her habit of daily, indoor tanning sessions eventually resulted in the development of more than 80 skin cancers, five of them melanomas. Her video is titled, “Skin cancer: Coach’s toughest opponent.” “Skin cancer is avoidable… if you use your sunscreen, stay out of the tanning beds,” Pace says in the PSA. “This is something I have to live with for the rest of my life.” Pace has said public awareness about the perils of indoor tanning was not as pervasive when she attended college. She is hopeful more education today – such as these videos from ASDS – will dissuade others from repeating her mistake. Multiple studies have shown that the use of indoor tanning devices, through the exposure to ultraviolet radiation, increases the user’s risk of melanoma. More than 419,000 cases of skin cancer in the U.S. each year are linked to indoor tanning, including about 245,000 basal cell carcinomas, 168,000 squamous cell carcinomas and 6,200 melanomas, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. The danger is so significant that the World Health Organization has classified indoor tanning in the highest risk category of known carcinogens. To address the public health risk from sunlamp products (such as tanning beds and tanning booths), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last year reclassified the devices from low-risk to moderate-risk and began requiring them to include a visible, black-box warning stating they should not be used by anyone under age 18. Editor’s note: Each of the two 30-second public service announcements has a corresponding, longer version video. All media outlets are encouraged to share any and all of the four videos through any of their distribution platforms. They can be viewed and downloaded from: “Guys, don’t be like Paul” PSA: “Guys, don’t be like Paul” full-length video: “Skin cancer: Coach’s toughest opponent” PSA: “Skin cancer: Coach’s toughest opponent” full-length video: Please feel free to reach out if you need a different file format or resolution at jschwab(at)asds(dot)net or 847-956-9143. About ASDS The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery is the largest specialty organization exclusively representing dermatologic surgeons who have unique training and experience to treat the health, function and beauty of your skin. ASDS members are pioneers in the field. Many are involved in the clinical studies that bring popular treatments to revitalize skin and fill and diminish wrinkles to the forefront. Their work has helped create and enhance many of the devices that remove blemishes, hair and fat, and tighten skin. Dermatologic surgeons also are experts in skin cancer prevention, detection and treatment. As the incidence of skin cancer rises, dermatologic surgeons are committed to taking steps to minimize the life-threatening effects of this disease. For more information, visit asds.net. Contact Information Jay Schwab American Society for Dermatologic Surgery asds.net +1 847-956-9143
Second Generation 18F-labeled Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) Targeted Imaging Agent Found to be Highly Sensitive in Detecting Prostate Cancer WMIS to Offer Unlimited Online Access to Article Published in the Journal of Molecular Imaging and Biology Culver City, CA – April 28 – A first-in-human prostate cancer study released today in the Journal of Molecular Imaging and Biology showed initial safety, biodistribution, and dosimetry results with [18F]DCFPyL, a 2nd generation fluorine-18 labeled small-molecule PSMA inhibitor. The imaging biomarker has been developed at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD by study co-author, Martin G. Pomper, MD, PhD. “This initial human evaluation of [18F]DCFPyL demonstrated a number of important findings. The radiotracer was safe, and parallels the expected uptake with significantly improved visual conspicuity of suspected sites of metastatic prostate cancer in comparison to our first generation radiotracer,” Martin G. Pomper, MD, PhD, William R. Brody Professor of Radiology at Johns Hopkins, said. [18F]DCFPyL is a 2nd generation small-molecule PET agent that attaches to the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). Signals from [18F]DCFPyL can then be measured via a PET scan. The study demonstrated that [18F]DCFPyL produced images that showed lower blood pool activity, providing clearer images than the 1st generation agent, [18F]DCFBC, produced by the same group. The study also showed 50 percent lower radiation dose in the most sensitive organs. According to the American Cancer Society, about 220,800 new cases and about 27,540 deaths will occur from prostate cancer in the United States in 2015. While prostate cancer is often curable, there remain a large number of patients with residual, recurrent and metastatic disease who need imaging for lesion detection, therapeutic monitoring, and restaging. Conventional imaging has not proven to be sufficiently sensitive and specific for detection of prostate cancer lesions. “The basis of more accurate, molecularly-informed classification of disease is the premise of precision medicine and specific molecular imaging biomarkers are the keys to determine how we classify diseases, how we select therapy, how we monitor therapy, and ultimately how we make treatments more accurate for each individual for better patient outcomes said Dr. Jason Lewis, Professor and Vice Chair for Research, Emily Tow Jackson Chair at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and President of the WMIS said, “We commend the team at Johns Hopkins for developing a more sensitive and accurate PSMA.” ABOUT WORLD MOLECULAR IMAGING SOCIETY The WMIS is dedicated to developing and promoting translational research through multimodality molecular imaging. The education and abstract-driven WMIC is the annual meeting of the WMIS and is held in conjunction with partner societies including the European Society for Molecular Imaging (ESMI) and the Federation of Asian Societies for Molecular Imaging (FASMI). WMIC provides a unique setting for scientists and clinicians with very diverse backgrounds to interact, present, and follow cutting-edge advances in the rapidly expanding field of molecular imaging that impacts nearly every biomedical discipline. Industry exhibits at the congress included corporations who have created the latest advances in preclinical and clinical imaging approaches and equipment, providing a complete molecular imaging educational technology showcase. For more information: http://www.wmis.org About the Journal of Molecular Imaging and Biology Molecular Imaging and Biology presents original research contributions on the utilization of molecular imaging in problems of relevance in biology and medicine. The primary objective of the journal is to provide a forum for the discovery of molecular mechanisms of health and disease through the use of imaging techniques. Among the topics covered are molecular imaging investigations of macromolecular targets involved in significant biological processes; design and evaluation of molecular probes used to investigate macromolecular targets and their functions; and study of in vivo animal models of disease for the development of new molecular diagnostics and therapeutics. The overall goal is to translate basic science discoveries into molecular imaging of disease in patients, both to investigate the biological nature of disease in actual patients and to establish new molecular imaging diagnostic procedures. Molecular Imaging and Biology is the official journal of the World Molecular Imaging Society and the European Society for Molecular Imaging. Contact Information Lisa Baird World molecular imaging society http://www.wmis.org +1 (617) 378-7682
Allegheny Health Network Launches First U.S. Clinical Trial of Extracellular Matrix as Replacement for Pre-Cancerous Tissue Investigational Trial of Substance Manufactured From Pig Bladder Could Bring Effective New Option for People at High Risk of Esophageal Cancer Pittsburgh, PA – April 28 – An Allegheny Health Network (AHN) team led by Blair A. Jobe, MD, FACS, has launched the first U.S. clinical trial to investigate whether replacing esophageal tissue with extracellular matrix (ECM) can help patients who are at high risk of developing a lethal form of esophageal cancer. ECM is a complex mixture of naturally-occurring polymers that provides a framework for cell attachment and migration and signals that guide cell behavior. ECM, manufactured from pig urinary bladder, holds great promise for facilitating repair of human tissues. “People with high-grade esophageal dysplasia, or precancerous cell changes, are at very high risk of developing esophageal cancer, a disease that is too often deadly,” said Dr. Jobe, Director of the Esophageal and Lung Institute at Allegheny Health Network. “These patients may even already have early-stage esophageal cancer.” “The outcome of this clinical trial could give us an effective new option for treating these patients and a powerful tool for the prevention of esophageal cancer while preserving the esophagus,” Dr. Jobe said “The incidence of esophageal cancer is rising worldwide, and the disease is typically detected at advanced stages, when effective treatment options are few.” The FDA recently granted permission for the Esophageal and Lung Institute clinical research team to enroll patients into this investigational study. The goal of the study is to preserve the esophagus, remove the dysplasia, and prevent side effects that can arise from scar tissue formation and impact the patient’s quality of life. “This long-awaited clinical trial is the culmination of years of work by Dr. Jobe and his team, and is some of the most exciting work now being done in the field of regenerative medicine,” said Alan Russell, PhD., Chief Innovation Officer and Executive Vice President, AHN, and founding president of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society. Dr. Jobe and his team will use a technique known as transoral endoscopic circumferential resection (TECR), which is performed through the mouth, with no external incisions. The study will use two FDA-approved devices in combination, an esophageal stent and ECM, in a manner not currently approved by the FDA. The procedure involves removing a layer of the diseased esophageal tissue, and replacing it with an ECM, trade-named MatriStem, manufactured by ACell Inc. The team will study whether the ECM will facilitate healing of the tissue resection by the body and reduce the risk of stricture formation, which can make swallowing difficult. “This clinical trial, the first of its kind in the U.S., reinforces the AHN Esophageal and Lung Institute’s position as both a regional and national leader in innovative, personalized treatment for esophageal and lung disease,” said Rodney Landreneau, MD, Co-Director of AHN Esophageal and Lung Institute, Division Director of General Thoracic Surgery and System Director of Thoracic Oncology. Current available treatments for high-grade dysplasia, including burning or cutting away the diseased tissue, may not be effective for patients with extensive or recurrent disease. Removing the esophagus, while still considered the best treatment for increasing life expectancy, is an aggressive option that can present quality-of-life issues for some patients. The AHN study will enroll 10 patients between 18 and 80 years of age with biopsy-proven circumferential high-grade dysplasia. They must complete a series of tests before they undergo the procedure at AHN’s West Penn Hospital. Follow-up endoscopies will be performed at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months post-procedure to evaluate its effectiveness. For more information on enrollment, contact Emily Lloyd at 412.578.1343. About the Allegheny Health Network: Allegheny Health Network, part of Highmark Health, is an integrated healthcare delivery system serving the Western Pennsylvania region. The Network is comprised of eight hospitals, including its flagship academic medical center Allegheny General Hospital, Allegheny Valley Hospital, Canonsburg Hospital, Forbes Hospital, Jefferson Hospital, Saint Vincent Hospital, Westfield Memorial Hospital and West Penn Hospital; an employed physician organization, a research institute, health + wellness pavilions, home and community-based health services and a group purchasing organization. The Network employs approximately 17,500 people, and has more than 2,100 physicians on its medical staff. The Network also serves as a clinical campus for both Temple University School of Medicine and Drexel University College of Medicine. AHN also has established a collaborative relationship with Johns Hopkins Medicine to advance medical research and explore opportunities for improving patient care quality, access and affordability. Contact Information Stephanie Waite Allegheny General Hospital http://www.wpahs.org +1 412-330-4434
Disabled Veterans National Foundation Adds Three New Board Members Three new volunteer board members have been added to the organization as part of DVNF’s new leadership and direction. Washington, DC – August 08 – The Disabled Veterans National Foundation (http://www.dvnf.org), a nonprofit veterans service organization that provides critically needed support to disabled and at-risk veterans who leave the military wounded—physically or psychologically—after defending our safety and our freedom, is announcing the addition of three new board members to serve the organization. DVNF recently announced that it appointed Mr. Benny Bachand as the organization’s new president. One of Bachand’s initial tasks in that role was to help the CEO add new board members. Three qualified candidates have been selected to fill the necessary roles and will offer oversight and direction to the organization. Tashawnya McCullough will serve as DVNF’s Vice Presi dent. McCullough served in the Army for 20 years, and has since been extremely active in the veterans’ community through her positions as a veterans outreach coordinator and veterans volunteer coordinator with Texas-based nonprofit organizations. Mike Yates will serve as the new DVNF Treasurer. Yates is a Vietnam veteran of the U.S. Army, and a retired CPA with 38 years of experience of corporate finance. He will serve as the board treasurer, and will help oversee all financial aspects of DVNF’s operations. Tom Milner is the third new member of the board. Milner has many years of experience working in both financial and IT capacities for public and private entities. He is a forward-thinking, tech-savvy individual whose broad experiences will be extremely valuable. “All three of these new board members have the qualifications and experience to help bring about the necessary changes I have been emphasizing since my arrival at DVNF,” said DVNF CEO Joseph VanFonda (USMC SgtMaj R et.). “I thank them for their willingness to be a part of DVNF, and their commitment to the veterans we serve.” All board members are volunteers and will be tasked with oversight of the organizational operations. In addition, they will help VanFonda foster in new programs, as well as new accountability and fundraising measures so the organization remains transparent in all of its functions. About DVNF: The Disabled Veterans National Foundation exists to provide critically needed support to disabled and at-risk veterans who leave the military wounded—physically or psychologically—after defending our safety and our freedom. We achieve this mission by: Providing personalized counseling to assist veterans in navigating the complex process of seeking benefits that they are entitled to as a result of their military service. Offering direct financial support to veterans and other veteran organizations to address the issues that align with the DVNF mission. Providin g supplemental assistance through the Health & Comfort program and Empowerment Webinars. Serving as a thought leader on critical policy issues within the veteran community. For more, go to http://www.dvnf.org.Contact Information Doug Walker Disabled Veterans National Foundation http://www.dvnf.org +1 202.737.0522
Buffalo, NY – An Orchard Park-based asbestos abatement company, which was cited by the federal safety inspectors for exposing workers to asbestos fibers at a Buffalo work site, is facing fines of $56,000. According to the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), Aria Contracting violated the federal safety regulations at 2925 Main St, where it was carrying out asbestos removal at a former warehouse. OSHA inspectors who visited the site last year found workers with scratched protective suits cleaning up asbestos and products containing asbestos from the building. They inspectors say Aria Contracting employees had not used any respiratory protection as well. Inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause respiratory problems and sometimes fatal diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Montreal – A St. Michel High School and its business school will remain closed on Monday, in anticipation of results of tests after the discovery of airborne asbestos fibers. John F Kennedy School was closed last Thursday and Friday as well. An asbestos abatement company removed traces of asbestos discovered in 2 ventilation rooms approximately three weeks back, according to the English Montreal School Board (EMSB). Some air quality tests conducted in the rooms indicated the rooms are safe. However, additional precautionary tests in the other portions of the building showed traces of asbestos. Latest update will be provided by the EMSB on Monday.
New Study Suggests Mesothelioma Diagnosis May be Possible from Lung Fluid Alone, Reports Surviving Mesothelioma Researchers in Japan say, if a lung fluid test is done at exactly the right time, it is possible to accurately diagnose mesothelioma without a tissue biopsy. Raleigh, NC – September 10 – A team of Japanese cancer researchers say mesothelioma can be diagnosed using a sample of excess lung fluid – but only if the test is performed at exactly the right time. Click here to read the full story, now available on the Surviving Mesothelioma website. Scientists from four different medical research laboratories have found that pleural effusions, the excess fluid that collects around the lungs of 70 percent of mesothelioma patients, can be used to diagnose the disease. “Early in the incidence of mesothelioma, there is just effusion, without pleural thickening, and in some cases mesothelioma cells appear in effusions temporarily, not permanently,” writes lea d study author Toshiaki Kawai of the National Defense Medical College. “Therefore, correct diagnosis requires effusion-sampling at the right time.” The study in the journal Pathology outlines cellular characteristics that can help pathologists diagnose mesothelioma from a sample of lung fluid. “The process of diagnosing mesothelioma can be long and difficult,” says Alex Strauss, Managing Editor of Surviving Mesothelioma. “If other studies confirm this window of opportunity for diagnosing the disease with effusions, it could both simplify and speed up the process and may even improve outcomes.” To read more about these findings and their potential implications, see Can Mesothelioma Be Diagnosed with Fluid Alone?, now available on the Surviving Mesothelioma website. Kawai, T et al, “Pulmonary Pathology: SY22-2 Diagnosis of mesothelioma by cytology using Japanese criteria”, October 2014, Pathology, Epub ahead of print, http://www.researchgate.net/publication/265343864 For nearly ten years, Surviving Mesothelioma has brought readers the most important and ground-breaking news on the causes, diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma. All Surviving Mesothelioma news is gathered and reported directly from the peer-reviewed medical literature. Written for patients and their loved ones, Surviving Mesothelioma news helps families make more informed decisions. Contact Information Michael Ellis Cancer Monthy survivingmesothelioma.com
We have found the Mesothelioma Portal site to offer very good listings of different kinds of sites with information on asbestos, lung cancer, and different types of mesothelioma cancer.
Quickly find medical information, learn about the many legal options, and get referrals. You can also request educational books and CDs most of which are offered free of charge. You can also talk to their support staff who will answer your questions at 800-444-MESO.
Even decades later, filing a claim will help you afford treatment through financial compensation. The claim process will not interfere with treatment, and filing your claim costs nothing out-of-pocket.
Danziger & De Llano are experienced, compassionate attorneys. We represent individuals affected by asbestos as well as others who’ve suffered injuries, abuse, or negligence. We’ve earned the trust and respect of our clients by listening carefully and always acting in their best interests. To learn how we can help you, contact us today.
Our firm has been seeking justice and compensation for personal injury victims, asbestos disease patients, and their families for decades. Our knowledgeable, confident approach has led to settlements and verdicts totaling billions of dollars for clients all over the United States.
No Out-of-Pocket Costs
There are no hourly charges or cash out of your pocket when we represent you. We work on a no-win, no-fee basis, giving you the confidence that we're working our hardest to get you the highest compensation available and letting you concentrate on what's being done instead of worrying about what it's costing.
Why Choose Us?
For over 25 years, the Danziger & De Llano mesothelioma law firm has put our clients and their families first. Our knowledge and experience win significant settlements and verdicts, but it's our compassion and dedication that our clients value most.
What Our Clients Say
“With my husband passing away so many details needed to be taken care of. The attorneys have always taken their time with us when I didn’t understand the paperwork and explained everything in language that I can understand.”
- Gurtie Crater
“When diagnosed with mesothelioma, they treated me with respect, while offering knowledgeable medical guidance, and providing clear, comprehensible legal advice. I highly recommend their legal services.”
- Jerry Dempsay
“With my husband passing away so many details needed to be taken care of. The attorneys have always taken their time with us when I didn’t understand the paperwork and explained everything in language that I can understand.”
Gurtie Crater
“When diagnosed with mesothelioma, they treated me with respect, while offering knowledgeable medical guidance, and providing clear, comprehensible legal advice. I highly recommend their legal services.”
Jerry Dempsay
“The doctors I met said there was nothing that could be done for me. One said I should make funeral arrangements. You directed me to the right doctor and so here I am. You guys were my lifesaver.”
- Mylon Bailey
“I was truly lost and did not know which way to go when I was diagnosed. Thankfully, your organization came to my rescue. The full information packet, as well as DVD’s, have helped me and my family understand this terrible cancer.”
- Doug Dellinger
“The doctors I met said there was nothing that could be done for me. One said I should make funeral arrangements. You directed me to the right doctor and so here I am. You guys were my lifesaver.”
Mylon Bailey
“I was truly lost and did not know which way to go when I was diagnosed. Thankfully, your organization came to my rescue. The full information packet, as well as DVD’s, have helped me and my family understand this terrible cancer.”
Dandell.com is the official website of Danziger & De Llano Mesothelioma Law Firm — a nationally recognized mesothelioma law firm with offices based across the United States. For more than 25 years, our attorneys have represented victims and families across the United States, recovering billions of dollars in verdicts and settlements.
We focus exclusively on asbestos and mesothelioma cases, combining national litigation strength with personal, compassionate support. Our team works on a no-win, no-fee basis — meaning there are no out-of-pocket costs for our clients.
Why is Danziger & De Llano a Top 10 National Mesothelioma Firms
Over 25 years of dedicated mesothelioma & asbestos litigation experience
Licensed to handle cases in all 50 states, with strategic local counsel partnerships
Billions recovered for clients through verdicts, settlements, and trust claims
Recent notable recovery: $5,939,010 awarded to a client after asbestos exposure in repair/demolition work
Mesothelioma is rare but devastating. According to the CDC, 2,669 new cases were diagnosed in the United States in 2022. Asbestos exposure is the only known cause — and compensation systems exist because exposure was widespread and preventable. Source: CDC – https://www.cdc.gov/united-states-cancer-statistics/publications/mesothelioma.html
Our clients have suffered significant harm, and they deserve justice. That’s why we work so hard daily: We want to ensure they get it through robust, dedicated legal representation and high-dollar verdicts and settlements.
Our 21-year-old client was driving his 2006 GM Saturn Ion when its ignition switch failed, leading to a horrific single-car accident that left him without the use of his lower body. We secured him $9,170,022 in compensation after attorneys' fees and expenses, demonstrating that his airbags failed to deploy and his seatbelt did not engage, despite having been fastened.
$6,142,500
Our client was a 68-year-old woman diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma after having been exposed to asbestos-contaminated products. Her illness was blamed on both primary and secondary exposure to the carcinogen, as she helped her husband with his general contracting work and laundered his work clothes, which were frequently covered with asbestos fibers and dust. She received $6,142,500 after attorneys' fees and expenses.
$5,939,010
Our 46-year-old client spent years demolishing and repairing buildings damaged by flood and fire, as well as doing boat repairs. Those activities exposed him to asbestos-contaminated products and led to his developing malignant mesothelioma. We secured him an award of $5,939,010 after attorneys' fees and expenses.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes. For advice on your specific situation, please request a free case evaluation by contacting us.
