The results of Alfacell Corporation's Phase IIIb clinical trial for the mesothelioma treatment Onconase has been released this morning.

Onconase is a drug therapy using enzymes from frogs to interact with human RNA to treat cancer. The press release stated that the treatment did not significantly help patients whose mesothelioma could not be surgically removed, but it did help patients for whom chemotherapy did not work. Now, Alfacell is applying Onconase for FDA approval in order to help mesothelioma patients who are not compatible with chemotherapy. According to the press release, there is currently an "unmet medical need" among these patients.

Onconase has been granted fast track status and orphan-drug designation for the treatment of malignant mesothelioma by the FDA. Additionally, it is in initial stages of marketing in the European Union. Alfacell believes it will file the New Drug Application with the FDA by the end of this calendar year.

"I am pleased that we have reached this important milestone for both Alfacell and ONCONASE," said Kuslima Shogen, Alfacell's chief executive officer. "We are deeply appreciative of the cancer patients and clinical investigators who participated in this important trial."

To listen to a webcast regarding the press release, click here. The full press release can be found at this link.

In Britain, a new study has indicated that advancements in MRI technology may detect cancer more easily and determine in one day whether cancer drugs are working, a process that usually takes weeks or months.

The new procedure involves detecting the acidity of tissue within the body. Malignant tumors are typically very acidic. "You are imaging not just tissue structure but tissue function," said Kevin Brindle, whose study is published in the journal Nature. "We wanted to measure tissue pH, which is a surrogate for disease."

The researchers injected mice with a form of bicarbonate (more commonly known as baking soda) and watched with the MRI system. The bicarbonate, which is very basic, reacted with the acid in the cancerous tumor to produce carbon dioxide, which was detected with the MRI.

Using an emerging technique called dynamic nuclear polarization that boosts MRI sensitivity more than 10,000 times, researchers detected the pH level in the tissue. The process involves cooling a molecule to nearly absolute zero before reheating it: this keeps the molecule polarized and more easily detected on an image.

The new technique is expected to enter human clinical trials in 2009. Overall, it means fast diagnosis and more precise drug administration. "If you could see a change in tissue function you could see if a drug is working earlier," Brindle said. "If not, you could try a different drug."

Click here for the full article.

On June 26-28, researchers, patients, family members, physicians, and politicians will gather in Washington D.C. to answer one question: what is the cure for mesothelioma?

Reaching a cure means implementing safe and effective treatments to mesothelioma patients across the world. The attainability of this goal is dependent upon the cooperation of the entire mesothelioma community; in order for researchers to develop new drug therapies and treatments, mesothelioma studies must have significant financial backing and public support. In raising awareness and offering patients advice and guidance, participants in the upcoming International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma will be bringing their cause to the forefront of attention among the political and medical realms.

Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation's International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma aims to show that by combining social awareness, patient support, scientific research, and political advocacy, the fight against mesothelioma is at its strongest. Hosted on Capitol Hill, the symposium will address four main elements: research, education, support, and advocacy.

The conference will include large group forums, small break-out sessions, individual meetings with Senators and political staff, a recognition and award ceremony, and informational lunches. For the full symposium agenda and details on travel and lodging click here.

Registration for the symposium is ongoing, and MARF has generously extended the discounted fee deadline to June 5. To register for the symposium online, visit this link. The foundation also offers extensive financial aid--including covering the airfare and hotel costs-- for patients and family members that need it. Contact the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation for more information.

On Tuesday, a state appellate court in New Jersey overturned the decision of a lower court in ruling that Navy workers who were employed on ships in Spain can sue an American company for asbestos-related illnesses they developed. The lawsuit was filed in 2004 against Owens-Illionois Inc. of New Jersey for producing asbestos-laden insulation.

Previously, the case had been dismissed on grounds that the injuries occurred overseas and not in New Jersey. Spanish courts, however, would not hear the claim because the injuries occurred on sovereign U.S. territory: the Navy warships.

The appellate decision, written by Appellate Judge Anthony J. Parrillo, said the lower court judge should have given more consideration to the workers' choice of court. Parrillo insists that Owens-Illionois will not be overburdened by the case because key evidence relating to the sale of asbestos to the U.S. military is more accessible and readily available in America.

In March, leading Canadian researchers submitted a report to the government on the cancer risks linked to asbestos.  Upon submitting the document, they were told the report would be available to the public within weeks.  Months later, it remains unreleased.  

Two of the researchers have written letters criticizing the government's delay.   Health Minister Tony Clement's office claims report will be made public once his officials have reviewed it. "It is simply unacceptable for this report to continue to be withheld from the public, while individuals who have seen the report and our comments make erroneous allegations about what it contains to suit their political objectives," wrote one of the researchers.

Canada is the only developed nation still producing asbestos; they sell the material to developing countries like Indonesia and Pakistan. The study takes no official position on an asbestos ban, but it clearly delineates the causality between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma. On the side, one researcher stated that safe use of asbestos is "simply not possible."

Quebec, which contains Canada's two asbestos mines, has one of the highest mesothelioma rates in the world. Click here to learn more.