Month: November 2011

As we gather with family and friends this Thanksgiving holiday, it is a time to reflect on all that we are thankful for.  I am extremely thankful to be surrounded by wonderful people in my life and to have met many special clients through my work as a mesothelioma attorney.

When I think of my clients, I am especially grateful to all of the doctors and researchers who are working everyday to find a cure for this devastating cancer.  I have written many articles on the new and exciting medical and scientific advances that are on-going in the search for new treatments, and hopefully a cure, for mesothelioma and many other cancers.  I am continually astounded by the hard work, dedication, and creativity of these doctors and researchers.

It is their unrelenting determination that will someday lead to a cure for mesothelioma. I am thankful for their efforts and will be eternally grateful when this disease is finally cured.

Throughout the many decades that I have been representing clients with mesothelioma, I have seen many significant advancements in the field of cancer and mesothelioma research.  Most recently I read about a new therapy that has been tested in a Phase 1 clinical trial and has shown promise in the treatment of mesothelioma tumors.  Each new treatment and discovery that is made for this devastating disease takes us one step closer to someday finding a cure for mesothelioma.

A Promising New Therapy

One of the therapies used to treat cancerous tumors works by inhibiting the growth of blood vessels around the tumor thereby stopping the spread of the cancer cells.  This is called “antiangiogenic therapy.”

Despite the advances that have been made with this therapy, many tumors manage to escape this blockade.  Recently, a new study reported that targeting a novel antiangiongenic receptor may be a promising treatment for patients whose tumors do not respond to the current therapy. This finding was reported at an International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics. The American Association for Cancer Research, the National Cancer Institute and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer were all part of this international conference

The experimental therapy is called PF-03446962.  This therapy is aimed at targeting proteins in the body that grow and divide specialized cells such as the kinase 1 protein(ALK-1).  PF-03446962 is an antibody that has been developed for humans explicitly meant to stop the activity of ALK-1.

The Results of the Initial Study

Researchers tested this new therapy in a Phase 1 clinical trial which showed the treatment demonstrated anticancer activity in tumors.  Dr. Fillipo de Braud, was the director of the European Institute of Oncology when this study was conducted.  He and his colleagues tested eight different doses of PF-03446962 on 44 patients with cancerous tumors.  The patients who showed the most improvement had previously been treated with antiangiogenic therapy for lung, renal, or liver cancer.  The 2 patients who showed the longest response to this new treatment had been diagnosed with adrenocortical cancer and mesothelioma.

I am anxiously awaiting the results of more studies involving this new therapy, PF-03446962, and especially its effect on mesothelioma tumors.

Clinical Trials Offer Hope

Many of my clients suffering from mesothelioma have taken part in clinical trials. I encourage anyone who has been diagnosed mesothelioma to discuss clinical trials with their doctors to determine whether they may be a candidate for a clinical trial. Your doctor will explain the benefits and risks as they relate to your particular circumstances. There are new clinical trials taking place every day.  Clinical trials offer great hope to patients in finding new treatments and therapies for mesothelioma.  Clinical trials are also our best hope at someday finding a cure for this devastating disease.

Each year on Veterans Day I like to take time to reflect on the commitment and sacrifice of our men and women who have served this great country.  Through my work as a mesothelioma attorney, I have had the honor to cross paths with many United States Navy veterans.  I have heard many stories of bravery and fortitude, long times spent away from loved ones on deployment and lost friends and mates.  I have the utmost admiration for those who have served and protected the United States during times of war or peace.

Special Bond with Submariners

Many of my clients have served their country building, repairing and serving on United States Navy’s ships and submarines.  I feel a special bond with submariners not only because my father served aboard submarines, but also because I have personally gotten to know many submariners through my work.  I have thoroughly enjoyed hearing their stories of service to our country.  The dedication and service shown by submariners has often gone unnoticed because of the need for their patrols and missions to be top secret.  There’s a reason it’s called the “silent service”. Submariners did not talk about what they did or where their subs traveled.  Stealth has always been the secret to their success enabling submariners to defend the country in wartime and to learn valuable information during peacetime to ensure peace is maintained. Veterans Day is an appropriate day to recognize them for their service.

On this Veterans Day I encourage us all to pay tribute to our veterans.  Their sacrifice and dedication to protect our freedom is invaluable.  I say thank you to all of those who have served or are currently serving for your service to this great country.

Asbestos on US Navy Submarines

The veterans who served on Navy ships and submarines knew that they would be facing certain kinds of dangers when they went off to serve their country. But one danger that was hidden from them was the deadly hazards associated with asbestos insulation that was found throughout their ships and submarines.

It is fairly well-known that asbestos was used as the primary insulation material in the construction of US Navy ships up until the mid 1970’s.  Navy destroyers and battleships, for example, contained virtually tons of asbestos products.  The most heavily insulated machinery was located in machinery spaces, although asbestos insulation was used throughout the ships. The veterans who built, maintained and served aboard these vessels were exposed to this deadly carcinogen on a daily basis.

It is not as commonly known, however, the extent to which asbestos was also used in the construction and repair of US Navy submarines.  WWII submarines were built with two diesel engines as the main driving unit.  Asbestos insulation was used on the diesel engine’s exhaust, as well as the piping throughout the submarine, typically for anti-sweat purposes.  The hot and cold machinery, fluid pipes, valves, flanges and fittings on a submarine would have been heavily insulated with asbestos pads, felt, paper and cloth.  The submariners, who lived, worked, ate, and slept in these very tight and confined spaces were continuously exposed to the dangerous asbestos that surrounded them.

US Navy Veterans and Mesothelioma

All veterans whether serving on Navy ships or submarines were exposed to asbestos and today still face the risk of contracting mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by asbestos.  Sadly, many of the veterans I have had the privilege of the representing have developed mesothelioma due to their exposure to asbestos.  The companies that produced the asbestos insulating products for the US Navy ships knew their products were hazardous, yet continued to produce these asbestos materials and failed to warn workers of the extreme dangers.

If you served in the US Navy and have developed mesothelioma due to your exposure to asbestos you may be entitled to legal compensation from these companies.  If you or a loved one served in the US Navy between 1930 and 1980 you should be aware that you may have been exposed to asbestos and it is important to see your doctor for regular checkups.