Top Safety Accreditation for Deconstruct UK

Deconstruct UK has been awarded accreditation from safecontractor for its commitment to achieving excellence in health and safety.

Safecontractor is a leading third party accreditation scheme which recognises very high standards in health and safety management amongst UK contractors.

Deconstruct specialise in all aspects of deconstruction, dismantling and demolition works, including asbestos management and asbestos abatement. The company’s application for safecontractor accreditation was driven by the need for a uniform standard across the business.

Managing Director, Ashley Griffiths said:

“We pride ourselves by operating an excellent health and safety, risk management strategy throughout the business. We set ourselves a very stringent safety approach which has been recognised by being awarded this top industry accreditation.”

Safecontractor accreditation will enhance Deconstruct’s ability to attract new contracts and its commitment to safety will be viewed positively by its insurers when the company liability policy is up for renewal.

John Kinge, technical director of safecontractor said:

“Major organisations simply cannot afford to run the risk of employing contractors who are not able to prove that they have sound health and safety policies in place.”

He went onto say:

“More companies need to understand the importance of adopting good risk management in the way that Deconstruct has done. The firm’s high standard has set an example which hopefully will be followed by other companies within the sector.

Safecontractor plays a vital role in supporting our clients in meeting their compliance needs, whilst working with their contractors as they progress through the accreditation process.”

Under the safecontractor scheme, businesses undergo a vetting process which examines health and safety procedures and their track record for safe practice. Those companies meeting the high standard are included on a database, which is accessible to registered users only via a website.

Client-organisations who sign up to the scheme can access the database, enabling them to vet potential contractors before they even set foot on site. These clients agree that, as users of the scheme, they will engage only those who have received accreditation.

Over one hundred and seventy major nation-wide businesses, from several key sectors, have signed up to use the scheme when selecting contractors for services such as building, cleaning, maintenance, refurbishment or electrical and mechanical work.

ENDS.

About Deconstruct (UK) Limited

Deconstruct UK specialise in all aspects of deconstruction, dismantling and demolition works, including asbestos management and asbestos abatement. These core specialisms enable Deconstruct to advise clients fully on all aspects of risk management including costs and programme implications.

Deconstruct (UK) Services include:

For further information about Deconstruct (UK) Limited and a full description of all services, please visit the group website: www.deconstructuk.com or call through on 020 7734 6655. Alternatively, visit our specialist asbestos removal services website at www.deconstructuk-asbestos-removal.com. The Deconstruct blog can be found at www.deconstruct-asbestos-removal.co.uk, subscribe here to keep updated on asbestos management and removal topics.

Contact Details:

Deconstruct (UK) Limited

Silver House

31-35 Beak Street

London

W1F 9DP

T: 0207 734 6655

F: 0207 734 6626

E: enquiries@deconstructuk.com

For interviews, comments, or high resolution images, please contact our PR agency: SMPR (Simply Marcomms Limited) 0870 199 4044 Email: info@simplymarcomms.co.uk

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Glasgow Health Board fined for asbestos failings

A recent article publish on the Risk Management Services blog reported that a Scottish health authority has been fined £6,000 for failing to clear asbestos from the Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Yorkhill in Glasgow.

The health authority potentially exposed several workers to the asbestos fibres due to the failed management of the risks of asbestos in a basement plant room of the hospital.

On the 20th of June, Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that Greater Glasgow Health Board has failed to properly manage the risks of asbestos in a basement plant room of the hospital. It was also revealed that the survey which was carried out in February of 2009 identified the presence of asbestos containing materials (ACMs) in a number of places within the plant room, however, it said that they the asbestos containing materials was in a good condition and low risk.

The survey also recommended the ACMs should be labelled and their condition observed to ensure any future deterioration could be managed.

An additional survey was carried out within the plant room in January 2011, this survey was carried out prior the installation of a new MRI scanner at the hospital and it discovered that some of the ACMS were now in a poor condition and posed a high risk.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) were informed of the issue after air and swab samples for asbestos fibres came back positive, the plant room was then sealed off.

An investigation carried out by the HSE found that the health board had taken no action since the 2009 survey to monitor ACMs within the plant room, while no labelling of the ACMs had taken place in the two years following the initial survey.

The Court was also informed that employees of the health board and outside contractors regularly had to access the plant room and could have potentially been exposed to the harmful asbestos fibres when carrying out maintenance work.

After pleading guilty to a breach of Regulation 4(10) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006, Greater Glasgow Health Board was fined £6,000.

HSE Inspector, Eve Macready, spoke following the case:

“The dangers posed by the presence of asbestos are clear. There is no known ‘safe limit’ and it is often many years after exposure before asbestos-related diseases appear – so it is important exposure to asbestos fibres is kept to an absolute minimum.

“Glasgow Health Board failed in its duty to properly manage the risks of asbestos in its premises and as a result a number of employees and external contractors have potentially been exposed to harmful fibres.”

References:

Derisk – Risk Management Services

Work Place Law

Health and Safety Executive

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Guidance issued on ‘Managing Asbestos in the Retail Sector’

The Retail Asbestos Working Group (RAWG) has launched a guidance document that promotes the continuous improvement of asbestos management in the retail sector.

The purpose of the guide which is called ‘The Management of Asbestos Containing Materials in the Retail Sector’ is to promote good-practice and to provide guidance to retailers regarding their duties under the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012 and to contractors who work in this sector.

The guidance has been developed by the Retail Asbestos Working Group (RAWG), which was set up and initiated by Silverdell PLC. The group consists of forward-thinking organisations and bodies that operate in the retail sector. These include ASDA, Boots UK, Land Securities, Marks & Spencer, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and two independent Asbestos Consultants Martin Stear and Rob Blackburn who have co-authored the guidance. The RAWG has also benefited from the support of the British Retail Consortium (BRC). The guidance offers an interpretation of how retailers should approach the management of asbestos during trading operations, as well as during maintenance and building works.  

The asbestos challenge

Asbestos is still a problem in the UK with over 4000 people still being affected every year by past exposure to asbestos fibres. It is essential that retailers manage asbestos effectively and ensure that any major refurbishment work is allocated sufficient time and space for the safe removal of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).  

Retail Industry

This guidance has been prepared by the retail industry to provide clarity about managing asbestos and about removing or working with ACMs in trading stores and shops. It outlines the steps that should be taken by clients, employers and others in the construction sector such as principal contractors, licensed asbestos removal contractors and other sub-contractors, who have a duty to ensure that asbestos is removed or worked on safely.

Michelle Irving from the BRC comments:

“The BRC welcomes this new initiative to help our members and other retailers. While the retail sector isn’t alone in facing day-to-day challenges managing asbestos-containing materials, this guidance directly tackles the specific challenges retailers face, and provides up-to-date and practical advice. It will help retailers comply with the law and is useful to everyone in the sector, large or small.”

The Guidance ‘The Management of Asbestos Containing Materials in the Retail Sector’ can be downloaded from the BRC website here http://www.brc.org.uk/asbestos-guidance

ENDS.

Notes:

What is the Retail Asbestos Working Group (RAWG)?

The RAWG is made up of a small group of health and safety professionals whose organisations are committed to the continuous improvement of asbestos management in retail and who want to help the retail industry to raise awareness and improve standards.

Who is the guidance for?

The guidance is targeted at the whole of the retail sector and considers issues such as conducting asbestos surveys and working on asbestos within the retail environment. It is likely that the guide will be of greater value to larger retailers as their premises will generally be more complex and contain a wider range of ACMs. However, it is anticipated that all retailers will find value in using and referring to the guide. It is written to assist those acting as dutyholders with the responsibility for managing asbestos. However, it will also be relevant to main contractors, subcontractors, maintenance contractors and specialist trades who work in the retail sector and who have to cooperate with the dutyholder and others to ensure ACMs are effectively managed. Others who may find this guide useful include designers and planners; CDMCs (Construction Design Management Coordinators); health and safety advisors; those organisations that own and / or operate shopping malls, as well as asbestos consultants and contractors.

This guide is aimed at those premises that contain asbestos. This principally means those premises constructed prior to January 2000 – use of all forms of asbestos were banned in November 1999.

How to use this guidance

This guidance is split into 10 sections. Section 2 describes an Asbestos Management Plan (AMP) and how to go about preparing one. The AMP sets out how asbestos is managed in retail premises.. The key areas of the AMP are expanded upon within later sections – see the figure above, which also acts as your roadmap to this guidance. The diagram is in various shades of grey and each section is similarly coded so that you can quickly find the relevant section in this guide. Each section of this document has a summary at the start listing the main issues that are covered within it to help you find information quickly.

Where is asbestos in retail?

Retail sector buildings may contain ACMs in a wide range of applications and locations as with any other premises. The applications can include ceiling tiles, wall panels, fire breaks, insulation and many other situations.

Acknowledgements

Martin Stear …………..(Chartered Occupational Hygienist) – co-author

Rob Blackburn ………..(Asbestos Consultant) – co-author

Lucy Czakan ……………(Silverdell PLC)

Liz Davidson ……………(Boots)

Steve Hanson ………….(Callidus Consultants on behalf of Marks & Spencer)

Clive Johnson ………….(Land Securities)

Neil Sheehan ………….(ASDA)

Chris Venables ………..(Tesco)

RAWG acknowledges the support of Asbestos Control and Abatement Division (ACAD), Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA), Asbestos Testing and Consultancy (ATAC), British Retail Consortium (BRC), British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) and HSE who kindly reviewed this guidance.

Further information

Media Interviews with key personnel can be arranged through our PR agency:

Nicky Frost, Account Director SMPR (Simply Marcomms Limited)

nicky@simplymarcomms.co.uk

0870 199 4044

For further information about the RAWG contact Lucy Czakan on info@rawg.org.uk

For further technical information about the guidance document contact Martin Stear on info@rawg.org.uk

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Derisk appointed by Solihull Community Housing to carry out comprehensive audit of asbestos risk management policies

Asbestos Risk Management experts, Derisk, were appointed by Solihull Community Housing to provide a full Asbestos Management Compliance Audit and Health Check of their policies.

Derisk provided Solihull Community Housing (SCH) with a comprehensive and critical audit of their asbestos risk management policies, procedures and processes, to ensure that they are in line with the current statutory requirements and industry best-practice.

The audit consisted of horizontal and vertical assessment of all processes, incorporating the management of contractors working in properties for void refurbishment, repairs, maintenance, and specialist asbestos works. It also included the auditing of survey inspections processes, register, record keeping, training, and ‘road-testing’ of register information and dissemination processes on site.

Solihull Community Housing is a non-profit Arm’s Length Management Organisation (ALMO); the organisation was set up by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council to manage their housing stock of around 10,200 tenanted homes and 1,130 leasehold properties.

Greg Lakin, Solihull Community Housing, said:

“The health check audit provided us with a comprehensive guide to the strengths and weaknesses in our asbestos management process and provided us with highly competent guidance and recommendations for further strengthening our already robust system.”

He went onto say:

“Derisk is extremely competent and professional in their approach and I would not hesitate to recommend them and the audit process to similar organisations to ourselves.”

For more information about this case study, view it here.

ENDS.

About Derisk

Derisk are experts in providing competent advice to our expanding client base in respect of Health and Safety Risk Management. We specialise in all aspects of Health and Safety including Asbestos Risk Management and CDM coordination, as well as providing comprehensive Governance development and support.

Services Include:

Asbestos Risk Management

Asbestos Business Healthcheck                        CDM Coordinator

Asbestos Management Plans                             CDM Duties

Asbestos Training                                                 H&S Management Planning

Asbestos Project Management                         Safety Audits

Sub-Contracting Auditing                                   Retained H&S Competent Advice

Asbestos Compliance Support                           Project Management Support

Risk Assessments

enquiries@deriskuk.com

020 7734 6655

www.deriskuk.com

PR & Media Enquiries to:

Nicky Frost – SMPR

nicky@simplymarcomms.co.uk

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CPD Accredited Asbestos Management Seminars

Here at Derisk, we know the importance of spending your time wisely which is why Robin Nower is embarking on a series of CPD accredited asbestos management seminars for a number of our clients. The sessions are only 1 hour long and can be arranged as a breakfast or lunchtime slot, so you and your team can get on with your daily duties without interruption.

The sessions are FREE and cover:

Asbestos Management for Duty Holders and Commercial Managers;Asbestos Information for Designers, Planners and Architects in Construction Projects; and/orCDM Duty Holder Responsibilities for Clients and Planners

Please read a brief case study and testimonial on a recent session that we provided on Asbestos Management for Commercial Real Estate Management Professionals.

You can arrange your own seminar by calling us today on:

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North East glass Firm fined after potential asbestos exposure

A North East glass firm has been fined after the potential exposure of dangerous asbestos fibres to nearly 200 workers and visitors at its Consett premises.

The incident which was triggered by fire alarm installers when work at the firms Princess Building on Leadgate Industrial Estate started on July 12th 2011, which then went on to be investigated by the Health and Safety Executive.

Recommendations by the safety advisors for Consett-based Romag Ltd to barricade the contaminated area and arrange for emergency clean-up specialist were also believed to be ignored.

On 14 October this year the Consett Magistrates’ Court heard that without knowing, the two involved subcontractors drilled through an asbestos insulation panel while installing fire sensors, this all occurred after being informed that the building was free from asbestos.

Asbestos fibres were then spread around the premises as a domestic vacuum cleaner was used to clean up the debris and dust, and then later used in many other areas of the premises whilst sensors were being installed.

As conveyed to the court, the asbestos disturbance was discovered the following day; however action by Romag failed to take place until at least nine days after the incident occurred. This happened despite being instructed to lock down the area and arrange for an air clearance test.

A significant amount of contaminated material was discovered when the clean-up was organised, as a result of the delay in taking action, the HSE established that 180 workers and 16 visitors were put at risk of exposure to asbestos fibres.

The company was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £12,638 in costs after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

Following the hearing, HSE Inspector Paul Miller said:

“Romag Ltd needlessly put at risk the health of nearly 200 people because they failed to identify the presence of asbestos before any work started and then compounded the failing by not acting quickly to clean the area properly.

“Any company that intends to do work to the fabric of a property built prior to the year 2000 must ensure that they have taken all reasonable steps to check whether asbestos is present before any work starts. That information must be then shared with anyone involved in the proposed work.”

For information and advice on asbestos safety, visit www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos

Reference

HSE

This entry was posted on Friday, October 18th, 2013 at 10:45 am and is filed under Asbestos News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Independant Asbestos Training Providers – Don’t miss your opportunity to attend the 2014 Annual Dinner

Tickets for the 2014 Annual Dinner are selling quickly. Tickets have been on sale for just over 2 weeks and we have already allocated 25% of them.

The evening will be a formal dinner themed on the 1920's and “The Great Gatsby”.

The evening is aimed at bringing all sectors of the Asbestos Industry together, whilst raising awareness and funds for the IATP’s chosen Charity, The Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team.

The Annual Dinner also includes  “The IATP Recognition Awards”, which honours individuals for their work and contributions across all areas of the Asbestos Industry.

The evening will include:

Red Carpet Entrance & Drinks ReceptionPhotographer (photos will be available to purchase if desired)3 Course Dinner followed by after dinner coffee & mintsIATP Recognition AwardsLive Jazz Band – Silk Street SwingCharity AuctionDisco & Dancing
Come and join us for an evening of glitz and glam, from the era of decadence. Tickets cost £48.00 per person

Dress code: Black Tie & Evening Dress or optional 1920’s themed evening wear.

Tickets are limited and will be sold strictly on a first come first served basis, so please be quick to avoid disappointment. To purchase your tickets please download and complete the booking form and return to events@iatp.org.uk.

Closing date for Ticket Sales is: Friday 14th February 2014

Click here to download your booking form today.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 27th, 2013 at 3:28 pm and is filed under Asbestos News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Provision of CPD Asbestos Management Seminar for Commercial Real Estate Management Professionals

Derisk, experts in Health and Safety Risk Management, provided a ‘free to attend’ targeted CPD lunchtime seminar for Commercial Real Estate Management Professionals.

Robin Nower, Director at Derisk, provided a ‘free to attend’ targeted CPD lunchtime seminar for Commercial Real Estate Management Professionals, the seminar consisted of providing guidance on how to comply and how to ensure clients comply with the duties to manage asbestos, as stipulated in the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

The session also highlighted the general duties of the landlord and property manager, and also the duties of the lanners, architects and clients in refurbishment and major works (CDM).

Adam J. Mehmet BSc(Hons) MSc MRICS, Aardent Real Estate Consulting Ltd, said:

“Robin delivered a highly informative, interactive and lively seminar on a complex subject within a tight deadline, without it seeming rushed, ensuring that all pertinent points were suitably covered. It was an excellent session.”

Derisk offer bespoke CPD sessions for all aspects of Asbestos Management, Fire Risk Management, and CDM. These sessions are mostly free and can be delivered at client’s premises at the client’s convenience, fitted into breakfast or lunchtime slots.

For more information about this CPD Asbestos Management Seminar, please view the case study here.

ENDS.

About Derisk

Derisk are experts in providing competent advice to our expanding client base in respect of Health and Safety Risk Management. We specialise in all aspects of Health and Safety including Asbestos Risk Management and CDM coordination, as well as providing comprehensive Governance development and support.

Services Include:

Asbestos Risk Management

Asbestos Business Healthcheck CDM Coordinator

Asbestos Management Plans CDM Duties

Asbestos Training H&S Management Planning

Asbestos Project Management Safety Audits

Sub-Contracting Auditing Retained H&S Competent Advice

Asbestos Compliance Support Project Management Support

Risk Assessments

enquiries@deriskuk.com

020 7734 6655

www.deriskuk.com

PR & Media Enquiries to:

Nicky Frost – SMPR

nicky@simplymarcomms.co.uk 0870 199 4044

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A targeted approach to asbestos-related cancer

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A targeted approach to asbestos-related cancer

A new targeted therapy for asbestos-related tumours has shown promise in an animal model. The results, reported in the open access journal BMC Cancer, raise hopes of a new therapy for this currently incurable cancer.

Malignant mesothelioma (MMs) is a rare form of cancer, most commonly caused by exposure to asbestos. It tends to be diagnosed decades after exposure occurs, so is rarely caught early. Current treatments, including surgery and chemotherapy, have limited efficacy and unpleasant side effects.

Traditional chemotherapeutic drugs work by destroying cells that divide quickly. As such, they're indiscriminate killers, destroying healthy dividing cells such as those in the bone marrow, digestive tract and hair follicles, as well as cancer cells. The result is an unwelcome mix of side-effects including a weakened immune system, gastrointestinal problems and hair loss. Targeted therapies, which are designed to kill cancer cells and leave healthy tissue unharmed, are highly sought after.

The new targeted therapy is a silica microparticle, coated in antibodies that recognise a protein produced by the tumour cells in large amounts. When the microparticles are injected into a mouse model of the cancer, the antibody helps the microparticles bind to the tumour cells, where they are then able to release their hidden inner cargo - the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin.

The new therapy is more effective and less toxic than doxorubicin alone, Brooke T. Mossman and colleagues report. Tumours shrank, the cancer cells proliferated less, and the animals were able more or less to maintain their weight and health throughout the treatment. Overall, the data suggest that targeted therapy may prove better than chemotherapy alone.

Using this targeting approach, the authors were able to reduce the dose of doxorubicin used four-fold thus almost eliminating side effects and toxicity. And because the treatment appears to reduce the number of proliferating tumour cells, it may prove useful early on, when pre-malignant or malignant MM cells are first observed, but before disease has been confirmed by histology.

BMC Cancer: Microspheres targeted with a mesothelin antibody and loaded with doxorubicin reduce tumor volume of human mesotheliomas in xenografts

Authors: Sherrill L Macura, Jeremy L Steinbacher, Maximilian B MacPherson, Melissa J Lathrop, Mutlay Sayan, Jedd M Hillegass, Stacie L Beuschel, Timothy N Perkins, Page C Spiess, Albert van der Vliet, Kelly J Butnor, Arti Shukla, Marilyn Wadsworth, Christopher C Landry and Brooke T Mossman

BioMed Central

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

MLA
Central, BioMed. "A targeted approach to asbestos-related cancer." Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 11 Sep. 2013. Web.
11 Jan. 2014.

APA
Central, B. (2013, September 11). "A targeted approach to asbestos-related cancer." Medical News Today. Retrieved from
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/265907.

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New data for engineering immune cells shows early promise in solid tumors

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New data for engineering immune cells shows early promise in solid tumors

Engineered immune cells, called CARTmeso cells, designed to direct antitumor immune responses toward tumors that carry a protein called mesothelin, showed antitumor activity in two patients with advanced cancers that had not responded to prior treatments, according to a study published in Cancer Immunology Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

Chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR T cells) are a form of personalized cell therapy that uses immune cells called T cells from patients. After T cells are harvested from a patient, they are engineered to bear a molecule that allows them to attach to a specific protein carried by the patient's cancer cells and to be triggered to kill the cancer cells when they do so. CAR T cells have shown early promising results for patients with some types of leukemia and lymphoma; however, they have not been very successful for solid cancers, one of the major issues being toxicity. Because normal cells express the CAR T cell target protein, albeit at lower levels than cancer cells, the engineered T cells recognize and attack the normal cells as well the cancer cells, causing off-target toxicity.

"So far, researchers have been permanently modifying T cells by using a variety of methods, including using viruses," said Carl H. June, M.D., a professor of pathology and laboratory medicine in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and director of translational research in the university's Abramson Cancer Center.

"We engineered T cells to express a CAR for about three days, after which the mRNA is metabolized rapidly by the system, so the T cells basically revert to what they were before in the patient," explained June. "These T cells recognize a protein called mesothelin present in many tumors, including mesothelioma and pancreatic cancers, hence we named them CARTmeso cells. Our strategy is to give multiple infusions of CARTmeso cells to the patient, and if there is toxicity, we could abort the toxicity just by stopping the infusions, because the mRNA-based CARs rapidly revert to normal T cells."

"We found that the temporary CARs we engineered are safe, with no significant on-target, off-tumor toxicity," June added. "We have evidence of antitumor effects in two patients whose advanced tumors failed previous therapies. These results, albeit preliminary, are very promising."

June and colleagues recruited two patients, ages 75 and 81 years, to a phase I clinical trial. One patient had advanced mesothelioma, and the other patient had metastatic pancreatic cancer that progressed after failing first-line therapy. The objective of this trial was to evaluate the manufacturing feasibility and safety of the mRNA-based CARTmeso cells. The researchers isolated T cells from the patients, reproduced them in large numbers in the laboratory, and engineered them to recognize mesothelin on tumor cells, using a biological material called mRNA. After ensuring viability and specificity of the engineered cells, the researchers infused the patients' modified T cells back into their bodies.

After receiving three infusions of CARTmeso cells, the patient with mesothelioma showed stable disease, as evaluated by imaging. The patient with pancreatic cancer received eight infusions of CARTmeso cells, and fluid collected from his abdomen showed a 40 percent decrease in the number of tumor cells that expressed mesothelin. The researchers evaluated additional tumor markers and confirmed antitumor activity.

"We found that these CARTmeso cells not only have antitumor activity, but also act like a vaccine, and trigger a response against the patient's own tumor," said June. "This new form of CAR therapy provides a new tool to evaluate CAR therapies for solid cancers."

Adverse events observed during the trial include an anaphylactic reaction and an intestinal obstruction.

This study was funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health, The Prevor Family Fund for Immunotherapy Cancer Research, and The Lustgarten Foundation. June and co-investigator B. Levine have commercial research support and ownership interest (including patents) from Novartis. June, Levine, and co-investigators Y. Zhao, and M. Kalos have financial interests due to intellectual property and patents in the field of cell and gene therapy.

Mesothelin-Specific Chimeric Antigen Receptor mRNA-Engineered T Cells Induce Antitumor Activity in Solid Malignancies, Gregory L. Beatty, Andrew R. Haas, Marcela V. Maus, Drew A. Torigian, Michael C. Soulen, Gabriela Plesa, Anne Chew, Yangbing Zhao, Bruce L. Levine, Steven M. Albelda, Michael Kalos, and Carl H. June, Cancer Immunology Research - doi: 10.1158/2326-6066.CIR-13-0170

American Association for Cancer Research

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

MLA
American Association for Cancer Research. "New data for engineering immune cells shows early promise in solid tumors." Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 24 Dec. 2013. Web.
11 Jan. 2014.

APA
American Association for Cancer Research. (2013, December 24). "New data for engineering immune cells shows early promise in solid tumors." Medical News Today. Retrieved from
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/270596.

Please note: If no author information is provided, the source is cited instead.

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Leicester leads two groundbreaking trials into treatments for asbestos-related cancer

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Leicester leads two groundbreaking trials into treatments for asbestos-related cancer

University of Leicester researchers are leading two major trials into treatments for a type of cancer which affects those exposed to asbestos.

Professor Dean Fennell, of the University's Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, is leading two groundbreaking trials into mesothelioma - a form of lung cancer strongly linked with exposure 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 tumours.

Ganetespib inhibits the action of a protein in cells called heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) - which is required for the stabilization and proper functioning of many proteins required for tumour growth.

The trial will involve around 140 patients across the UK, and is being led by Professor Fennell.

Professor Fennell said: "We think this is a new way of being able to target mesothelioma. Laboratory tests show ganetespib is extremely active in mesothelioma - and combined with chemotherapy, this treatment could shrink cancers down and improve symptoms for patients."

The second trial is part of a global trial named COMMAND (Control of Mesothelioma with MAiNtenance Defactinib) sponsored by pharmaceutical company Verastem, which will investigate a new drug called defactinib.

The researchers believe the drug could help to inhibit focal adhesion kinase (FAK), which is critical for the cancer stem cells' development into tumours.

The drug could potentially reduce the need for repeated chemotherapy treatment by killing cancer stem cells remaining following front-line therapy.

The trial will involve around 350-400 mesothelioma patients worldwide - and the University of Leicester is leading the study for the UK, which was the first country to open the trial worldwide.

Professor Fennell, who sits on the steering committee for the trial, said: "Cancer stem cells can cause cancer to return after chemotherapy, and the FAK protein seems to be something that cancer stem cells require. If you inhibit FAK protein, you may be able to target the cancer more effectively.

"We hope that both of these trials will be positive studies for mesothelioma patients."

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

MLA
University of Leicester. "Leicester leads two groundbreaking trials into treatments for asbestos-related cancer." Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 24 Sep. 2013. Web.
11 Jan. 2014.

APA
University of Leicester. (2013, September 24). "Leicester leads two groundbreaking trials into treatments for asbestos-related cancer." Medical News Today. Retrieved from
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/266476.

Please note: If no author information is provided, the source is cited instead.

Please note that we publish the name you give us, but we do not publish your email address. We will email you to let you know when your comment has been published but will not use it for any other purpose. Please see our privacy policy for more information.

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Prognostic potential of rib cage lymph nodes in mesothelioma

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Prognostic potential of rib cage lymph nodes in mesothelioma

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.

The findings were presented at the 15th World Conference on Lung Cancer.

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.

In a retrospective study of 48 Penn Medicine patients undergoing radical pleurectomy for malignant pleural mesothelioma, Joseph S. Friedberg, MD, Chief of the Section of Thoracic Surgery at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center and Co-Director of the Penn Mesothelioma and Pleural Disease Program, and colleagues found that over half the patients had cancer metastatic to these lymph nodes and that, in some of these patients, those were the only lymph nodes containing metastatic cancer.

Patients who did not have cancer in the posterior intercostal lymph nodes had significantly longer overall survival rates, nearly two and half years longer, compared to those who did have cancer in the lymph nodes.

"I am unaware of any other group that is sampling these nodes. They are not currently part of the staging system for mesothelioma, or any other cancer for that matter," said Dr. Friedberg. "What we have shown here is that even though these lymph nodes are not described in relation to this cancer, they are highly significant."

The conclusion of the study was that surgeons should routinely biopsy these lymph nodes as part of any surgery-based treatment for mesothelioma and that these lymph nodes should be included in any revision of the mesothelioma staging system.

"Ultimately, it means that the presence or absence of cancer in these lymph nodes could help guide the treatment of pleural mesothelioma," said Dr. Friedberg.

This study is one of a 13 Penn Medicine studies and talks being presented at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer's 15th World Conference on Lung Cancer.

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University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. "Prognostic potential of rib cage lymph nodes in mesothelioma." Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 30 Oct. 2013. Web.
11 Jan. 2014.

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University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. (2013, October 30). "Prognostic potential of rib cage lymph nodes in mesothelioma." Medical News Today. Retrieved from
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/268059.

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