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Posts by: Steven Kazan

Can a Modified Form of a Human Virus Kill Cancer?

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mesothelioma treatmentMost people are aware of the fact that viruses can cause a myriad of unfortunate effects, including a runny nose, coughing, fever and body aches.

In the right hands, however, viruses can actually be beneficial. One biopharmaceutical company is developing a virus-based therapy that may one day help treat lung cancer, including cases caused by asbestos exposure.

How can viruses be helpful?
The fact that viruses can wreak havoc on the body has inspired several scientists to conduct experiments to see if they can use them to kill diseased tissues. The National Cancer Institute describes these oncolytic viruses as targeting cancer cells, and not healthy ones. This may either kill the malignancy directly, or make tumors more vulnerable to radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Oncolytic viruses may exist naturally, but biopharmaceutical companies such as Oncolytics Biotech are engineering their own viruses in the lab.

Phase 2 clinical trial shows promise
Oncolytics Biotech has been developing an oncolytic virus under the name Reolysin, which is a modified form of the human reovirus. So far, the company has explored the use of Reolysin for treating head and neck cancers.

In order to determine the effects of Reolysin on lung cancer, the researchers conducted a Phase 2 trial that included 20 patients who had squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. All study participants underwent six treatment cycles of the chemotherapy drugs carboplatin and paclitaxel, which were administered in combination with intravenous treatments of Reolysin.

Results showed that 19 patients experienced shrinkages in their tumors.

“It’s exciting to have 95 percent of patients in this study exhibit tumor shrinkage and these results further suggest that Reolysin may have potential use in neoadjuvant (pre-surgical) settings,” Brad Thompson, president and CEO of Oncolytics Biotech, said in a statement. “Based on these findings we intend to continue to look at Reolysin as a treatment for cancers of the lung and cancers that metastasize to the lung.”

The company is continuing to enroll patients for further studies of Reolysin.

Incidence of asbestos-induced lung cancer will increase
The NCI describes squamous cell carcinoma of the lung as a form of non-small cell lung cancer. It affects a group of cells that are thin, flat and resemble fish scales. Symptoms of this disease include chest pain, a cough that grows worse over time, wheezing, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, tiredness, problems swallowing, difficulty breathing or hoarseness.

Experts estimate that more than 228,000 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2013. Eighty-four percent of these will be non-small cell lung cancer, and 25 percent of all lung cancer cases will be squamous cell carcinoma.

Although the developed world has done much to curb the use of asbestos, diseases related to this toxic material can take years to develop. For this reason, the incidence of conditions such as lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma will probably continue to increase for the next 10 years or so, as estimated by the Environmental Working Group. The organization asserts that, currently, asbestos-induced lung cancer is responsible for 4,800 deaths in the U.S. every year.

If the researchers from Oncolytics Biotech are successful in bringing Reolysin to market, countless lung cancer patients may benefit.

New Device may Assist Diagnosis of Lung Cancer Caused by Asbestos Exposure

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mesothelioma treatmentWhenever people think of lung cancer, they are likely to associate the disease with tobacco use. However, exposure to asbestos is a potential risk factor as well. The link between these two diseases drives scientific research into several directions, from studies on how to treat the illness to the creation of better diagnostic tools. The latter is especially important because better detection can lead to a more effective treatment.

At Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, which is Israel’s oldest university, scientists joined forces with the device manufacturer Alpha Szenszor to develop a product that can diagnose lung cancer simply by analyzing samples of the air that individuals exhale.

Different tools are available – and invasive
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention described the telltale signs of lung cancer as wheezing, difficulty breathing, unexplained weight loss and coughing, which may be bloody. If lung cancer is caused by asbestos exposure, symptoms can take 15 years after initial contact with the toxic material to develop.

The American Cancer Society lists several tools that doctors have at their disposal for diagnosing lung cancer. These include imaging scans of the chest, such as chest X-rays, MRI, CT and PET. However, these radiological tests often need to be confirmed with the help of other, more invasive diagnostic tools, such as thoracentesis, which analyzes the fluid that builds up around the lungs, or a biopsy, which collects cell samples from the tumors themselves.

Breathe in, breathe out
Scientists are always trying to find better ways to diagnose diseases. When it comes to lung cancer, this could mean creating a test that is less invasive and easier to use on patients. Collaborators at Technion and Alpha Szenszor believe that an answer may be found the breaths that patients exhale.

Within the air that individuals breath out are substances known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Researchers from the Netherlands note that diseases such as lung cancer cause the lungs to release distinctive VOCs because of inflammation. Developing technology that could diagnose lung cancer and other conditions, simply by analyzing the VOCs in patients breaths, could prove useful. Compared to biopsies, this approach would be less invasive and easier for patients to endure.

“At Alpha Szenszor, we are excited to be working with one of the world’s premier research institutes in a field where the transformational benefits to human life have been so clearly demonstrated,” CEO Steve Lerner said in a statement. “We look forward to this partnership with Technion as a critical step in the validation of early stage diagnostics through direct digital detection of gaseous biomarkers.”

Lung cancer numbers are on the rise
A new tool, such as the one that Technion and Alpha Szenszor plan to commercialize, will be especially valuable in light of the changing dynamics of diseases caused by asbestos exposure. Specifically, the Environmental Working Group estimates that asbestos-induced lung cancer claims the lives of about 4,800 individuals in the U.S. every year. This in addition to other asbestos-related diseases, such as malignant pleural mesothelioma, gastrointestinal cancers and asbestosis, which, when combined with lung cancer, cause nearly 10,000 deaths every year.

Adding to the urgent need for new diagnostic tools is the fact that the incidences of these diseases will only increase during the next 10 years or so. At Kazan Law, we are happy to support and promote scientific research that will help us curb these trends.

Workers’ Family Members are at Risk for Asbestos Exposure

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asbestos exposureFor decades, scientists and public health experts have been passionate about a definitive link existing between asbestos exposure and several potentially fatal illnesses – and with good reason. The evidence suggesting that asbestos can cause asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer and other malignant diseases is irrefutable. For this reason, the medical community has shown great concern for individuals likely to come into contact with the toxic material on the job.

However, these employees are not the only ones at risk. At Kazan Law, we see too many stories about how the loved ones of these individuals are also in danger of asbestos exposure because of the workers’ tainted clothing. In Wales, one family discussed how their matriarch died from mesothelioma after washing the work clothes of her husband and son, as reported by Wales Online.

‘He lost a lot of colleagues and friends’
In 2011, Valerie Ward died at the Holm Towers hospice a mere 10 weeks after she had been diagnosed with mesothelioma. She was 78.

The inquest into her death concluded that her disease was the result of exposure to asbestos that likely occurred when she did the laundry, which included the work clothes of her husband Eric and son Adrian, both of whom were employed at a power station.

After winning compensation in civil court, Ward’s family decided to donate the money to Marie Curie, the cancer care network of which the Holm Towers is a part.

“My dad worked at the power station for 20 odd years and was a fitters mate before he became a painter there,” daughter Averil told the news source. “He lost a lot of colleagues and friends to mesothelioma – not a lot was known about it then and very little protection was offered at that time. Whatever we were going to get was always going to go to Holm Towers. It’s nice to be able to give something back – they were amazing.”

Today, Eric is living with asbestos plaques in his lungs.

Asbestos is still a working hazard
Although awareness of the risks of asbestos is greater today than it was decades ago, modern-day workers may still be in danger. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) states that asbestos exposure may be likely among those who handle products such as car brakes and clutches, construction workers who perform renovation or demolition, or maritime employees who work on ships that were built with asbestos. Custodial workers may also encounter the toxic material on the job.

Know how to protect yourself
If you are at risk of asbestos exposure because of your occupation, remember that there are ways to minimize this – and your employer is required to help. OSHA lists the permissible exposure limit of asbestos in the workplace as 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter – averaged over eight hours – or, in the short term, 1 fiber per cubic centimeter over 30 minutes.

Employers must monitor these risks and provide protective clothing, including coveralls, face shields and vented goggles. They are also responsible for training workers on asbestos awareness.

Health and Safety Executive, a government watchdog group in the UK, has additional safety tips for tradespeople. Among them are recommendations to clean up throughout the day to prevent the accumulation of waste, wash before taking breaks or going home, and use Type H vacuum cleaners or wet rags – instead of sweeping – to clean dust.

Additionally, employees need to refrain from eating or drinking in the middle of a work site, or bringing work clothes home.

How to Protect Yourself from Naturally-Occurring Asbestos

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asbestos exposureIf you ever thought about how you need to protect yourself from asbestos exposure, you may recall the various products that contain the hazardous material. These include vermiculite and other items used for fireproofing or soundproofing. You may even think about people who are employed in high-risk jobs, such as construction workers, electricians or those who work around shipyards.

However, it can be easy to forget that asbestos is a mineral present in certain rocks. If left undisturbed, this naturally occurring asbestos does not pose a health risk to people, but careless human activity can increase the likelihood that asbestos fibers become airborne.

Ultramafic rock may contain asbestos
The federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) states that asbestos can usually be found near fault zones or within ultramafic rock. Asbestos can make up anywhere between 1 percent and 25 percent of the mass of these rocks.

The soil around buildings that contain asbestos may also become contaminated during original construction or remodeling that disturbs in-place construction materials.

Human activity can increase the danger
As with most commercial and industrial products that contain asbestos, tainted soil and rocks do not pose risks to people if they are left intact. However, there are two ways in which naturally occurring asbestos can be disturbed: Through natural weathering and erosion, and human activity.

When it comes to the latter, mining efforts or actions that crush rocks can easily unleash asbestos fibers into the air. Also, construction that takes place around naturally occurring asbestos may disturb the mineral fibers.

One team of scientists from Nevada asserts that off-road-vehicle riding and other recreational activities is a major cause of disturbance in asbestos-tainted soil. This can be dangerous in light of increased urbanization, and underscores the need for better strategies for the prevention of exposure to asbestos.

Caution can minimize the risk
The ATSDR notes that not all ultramafic rocks contain asbestos. Environmental testing can help stakeholders determine whether they are at risk.

For example, laboratory service providers such as ASTM International have developed special tests that can analyze soil samples for the presence of asbestos. The company states that their test can be used for the purposes of property transfers and government cleanup sites.

At Kazan Law, we want to make sure that you know how to protect yourself and your family from all potential exposures. The ATSDR has several recommendations for people who are concerned about environmental asbestos:

  • Walk, hike or bike only on trails that are paved.
  • Play in outdoor areas only if they are covered by mulch, sand, grass, asphalt or rubber.
  • Pave over any unpaved areas that are likely to be walked or driven upon.
  • If you know that your garden contains asbestos-tainted soil, cover it with either asbestos-free soil or landscaping.
  • Wet all areas of the garden before you begin any shoveling or digging.
  • Remove shoes before entering the house in order to prevent bringing dirt in.
  • Place doormats at all entrances to allow people to wipe their feet.
  • If construction is taking place nearby, keep all doors or windows closed.
  • If you have to drive over unpaved areas, roll up the windows and drive slowly.
  • When dusting or cleaning the floors, use wet rags or wet mops.
  • Vacuum carpeted areas with a product that contains a HEPA filter.

Auto Industry Asbestos Victims Make Major Contributions to Find Cure for Mesothelioma

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At age 66, Gordon Bankhead had 34 years of experience in the service and repair of heavy duty vehicles as a Parts Man, with most of his career spent at Sea-Land Shipping Company in Oakland, California. He regularly handled asbestos-containing brakes, and was present for the inspection, replacement, grinding, and blowing out of asbestos-containing brakes. All of these activities caused him to breathe deadly asbestos dust. In January 2010, Gordon Bankhead was diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Kazan Law filed suit on behalf of Gordon and Emily Bankhead in March 2010. Trial began on October 25, 2010 and ultimately resulted in a $17.470,000 verdict for Mr. and Mrs. Bankhead. This video tells the story of the important decisions the Bankheads made to help others who suffer from mesothelioma. With contributions like the Bankheads and others, hopefully one day a cure can be found for the deadly disease.

International Cancer Group Loses Credibility Over Ties to Asbestos Proponents

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UNThe global nature of the economy makes it difficult for certain public health concerns to remain geographically isolated. That includes asbestos exposure. Thankfully, the strong body of scientific evidence linking asbestos to a range of potentially fatal diseases is proving too difficult for several government groups, as well as non-government organizations, to deny. This is a promising trend, especially in light of the upcoming Rotterdam Convention, an international conference with an agenda that may include adding the chrysotile form of asbestos to its List of Hazardous Substances.

Unfortunately, the asbestos industry is still influential in several pockets of the world. One disturbing story currently unfolding is the participation of a branch of the World Health Organization (WHO) at a recent conference which, according to some people, was coordinated with underlying intentions of obstructing efforts to curb the use of chrysotile.

A news report, published by The Lancet, suggests that this participation also jeopardizes the integrity of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

Conference suspicions
During the latter half of 2012, the Russian Scientific Research Institute of Occupational Health and other organizers began planning for a conference titled Chrysotile Asbestos: Risk Assessment and Management, which was to take place in Kiev, Ukraine. Many international groups and public health experts suspected that the event had close ties to Russia’s asbestos industry.

An invitation to the conference was extended to Valerie McCormack, a scientist working for the IARC. In light of the suspicious nature of the event, many individuals in the medical community were baffled to learn that McCormack accepted the invitation and would be presenting a paper on asbestos and lung cancer. Furthermore, IARC officials said this would be an opportunity for McCormack to present up-to-date views on the dangers of asbestos.

However, critics say that the paper McCormack presented relied on studies funded by the Canadian asbestos industry, the data was no longer current and the overall risks of asbestos were downplayed.

Outrage precedes upcoming meeting
This upcoming April marks the sixth meeting of the Rotterdam Convention, an international trades meeting that discusses environmental hazards that pose threats to humans. On the List of Hazardous Substances, every form of asbestos is included except for chrysotile, which had been a candidate for addition three times in the past. It was never successfully added to the list because of strong opposition from countries such as Canada, Ukraine, India and Vietnam – all of which eventually reversed their positions as of late 2012.

However, 2013 marks the first time that Russia has veto power at the Convention, and it is expected to put up a fight. The recent conference in Kiev may support arguments to keep chrysotile asbestos off the List of Hazardous Substances.

“The Kiev conference came out of an initiative to destroy the Rotterdam Convention,” Kathleen Ruff, a Canadian human rights campaigner and senior adviser to the Rideau Institute, told The Lancet. “In 2011, those opposing the listing said they wanted a new conference to look at the ‘modern’ data to counteract the Chemical Review Committee’s ruling. Kiev is the result. It is not a bona fide conference, it’s a sham conference, a weapon to undermine the integrity of science, and it’s about more than chrysotile now, it’s about the gutting of a UN convention.”

The international fight goes on
In December 2012, Ruff and her colleagues sent a letter asking the WHO to address the behavior of the IARC in regards to the Kiev conference. To the Rideau Institute’s disappointment, they never got a response.

Most industrialized nations have banned asbestos in an effort to protect their citizens. However, it is still mined, produced and used in developing countries such as China, Brazil and India, according to a report published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Russia is also a major producer of asbestos.

New Kazan Law Partner Justin Bosl and His Drive for Justice

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Last week I announced that two new partners and two new associates have joined Kazan Law. Along with Joe Satterley, our newest partner is Justin Bosl, who joined our firm in 2004 as a law clerk and became an associate in 2006. Having grown up as an attorney here at Kazan Law, I am pleased that Mr. Bosl is an example to other young law students of the career path that is possible through hard work and dedication.

Mr. Bosl’s passion and commitment to bringing justice for real people who have unknowingly developed a fatal disease as a result of exposure to asbestos shows through in this video. It’s no wonder that Mr. Bosl has also earned recognition from his peers with his nomination as a Northern California Rising Star in Super Lawyers Magazine in 2011 and 2012. He was also named to the Top 40 Under 40 list by The National Trial Lawyers in 2012.

Shocking Discoveries on Researchers Downplaying Side Effects of Drugs for Mesothelioma and Other Cancers

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doctorsIn the fight against malignant diseases caused by asbestos exposure, doctors may take several approaches. While surgery can physically remove the abnormal tissue, radiation and chemotherapy may be more common for patients whose conditions are advanced. These different treatments often work together.

At Kazan Law, we are very familiar with the side effects of chemotherapy. We are also excited about the fact that scientists are constantly developing new drugs while figuring out more effective ways to administer the existing ones. However, Reuters Health recently reported on a disturbing trend in which researchers seem to be downplaying the side effects of the drugs that they study.

Research finds surprising results
Ian Tannock, a scientist from Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, investigated how forthcoming researchers were in the presentation of 164 individual studies. He made some shocking discoveries:

  • Two-thirds of the papers did not list the serious side effects of chemotherapy, radiation or surgery in the introductory abstract of the publication.
  • One-fifth of the authors did not include the toxicities within their studies’ results tables.
  • One-third of the scientific articles did not discuss toxicities in either their papers’ abstracts or discussion sections.
  • One-third of the studies shifted the focus of their papers during the research if the authors found that they were not getting the results they hoped for. This can mean the difference between reporting lifespan without cancer and lifespan with relapsing disease.

These trends are important to note because doctors sometimes read only the paper’s abstract, increasing the chances that they can miss important information. Tannock also discovered that these behaviors were not limited to cancer studies.

“Investigators want to go overboard to make their studies look positive,” Tannock told Reuters Health.

Altering the way an experiment’s results are reported can increase the chances of publication, which in turn boosts the authors’ likelihood of receiving grants and tenure.

Tannock suggested that scientific journals can discourage these practices by requiring authors to talk about side effects and other problems within their abstracts. Furthermore, those who read journal articles need to learn how to be more critical.

Chemo side effects and asbestos-induced diseases
The National Cancer Institute lists the most common side effects of chemotherapy as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, hair loss, oral sores, pain and decreased blood cell counts. These complications occur because medications for cancer usually target cells that have a high rate of growth, including healthy ones.

Not all patients diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, lung cancer or other diseases experience the same chemotherapy side effects. This tends to depend on the type of treatment a patient is undergoing, as well as his or her overall health before the course begins.

If you experience any side effects from your cancer treatment, it is important to discuss them with your medical team. Sometimes these side effects can curb your motivation to adhere to your regimen, which can only lead to more problems. Instead, ask you physician about how you can cope.

For example, the American Cancer Society has several tips on how you can deal with changes in your appetite caused by nausea or problems in the mouth. Eating a balanced diet is still important during cancer therapy because it will help you maintain your strength and stay healthy.

To help increase your desire to eat, try walking before meals or eating with loved ones. Additionally, you should try to add variety to different aspects of your mealtime, such as the setting or the types of food that you consume.

Sitting down to three average-sized meals a day may seem daunting if you have a low appetite. Instead, consider eating several smaller meals throughout the day. This may make it easier to keep food down.

Still Progress to be Made in the Fight Against Asbestos

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world signpostsAsbestos was a popular component of many industrial and commercial products that were manufactured during most of the 20th century. However, scientists had known for decades that asbestos exposure could lead to several potentially deadly diseases, a fact that businesses could not deny forever. In many developed nations, this has led to significant reductions, if not outright bans, on the mining and use of asbestos.

However, these policies have not been adopted universally. The asbestos industry still has a strong foothold in the economies of several developing nations.

One researcher from Australia recently published an editorial in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine, in which he reviewed the past successes and current challenges of banning the use of asbestos around the world.

Asbestos and the wide range of negative health effects
When most people think of diseases caused by exposure to asbestos, certain respiratory conditions most likely come to mind. However, experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note that there is evidence that the hazardous material can have an impact on several parts of the body.

The most common respiratory diseases associated with asbestos exposure are malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), asbestosis and lung cancer. The first two illnesses are caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. If these microscopic fragments enter the respiratory system, they can cause chronic inflammation, which may lead to MPM or lung cancer. Furthermore, they may lead to the development of scar tissue in the lungs, which is a characteristic of asbestosis.

Asbestos exposure also causes malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the abdominal organs. Furthermore, there is some evidence linking asbestos to cancers of the esophagus, stomach, colon and rectum.

Bans in developed nations
Since the link between asbestos and malignant diseases became common knowledge, various developed nations around the world have been officially banning use of the material. The first policies were adopted in Australia about 30 years ago. Furthermore, in September 2012, the Canadian government decided to stop fighting efforts to have chrysotile asbestos listed as a dangerous substance under the Rotterdam Convention, a move that came on the heels of the cancellation of a major loan to a chrysotile mine.

Also in 2012, two global professional groups called for the elimination of asbestos among their member organizations.

While the efforts to curb asbestos production may help stem the occurrence of illness among miners, other individuals who use asbestos products, such as plumbers, carpenters and other tradespeople, may still be affected for years to come. However, that should not diminish the importance of asbestos bans.

More work needs to be done
The World Health Organization estimates that about 125 million people all over globe are exposed to asbestos through the workplace. Despite growing awareness of asbestos-related diseases in countries such as the U.S., UK and Australia, the mineral is still popular in developing nations such as China, India and Brazil. This is partly attributable to the efforts of lobby groups, such as the now-defunct Chrysotile Institute of Montreal.

“One of the main arguments which had been used by this lobby group and similar groups in other countries is that because asbestos has been around for many decades and has been the subject of considerable research about its cancer risks, the methods to control its use are well known and so it can be safely used,” Malcolm Ross Sim of Monash University wrote in his editorial. “The inadequacy of this argument is readily apparent to anyone with any knowledge of the poorly developed regulatory approach to asbestos and other workplace hazards in many newly industrializing countries.”

Sim notes that there is still progress to be made in the fight against asbestos.

A Close-Up of New Kazan Law Partner and Asbestos Lawyer Joe Satterley

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Earlier this week I announced that two new partners and two new associates have joined Kazan Law. The addition of partner Joe Satterley, one of the most highly accomplished asbestos attorneys in the United States, is a significant event for Kazan Law and one I am greatly pleased by. The victories of two of our firm’s recent trials ((Patrick Scott and Sharon Scott v. Allied Packing & Supply, Ford Motor Company, et al and Gordon and Emily Bankhead v. Allied Packing & Supply, Inc., et al) were partially attributed to Mr. Satterley, who provided co-leadership for the trials. I am excited in anticipation of how future clients will also benefit from his skill.

Mr. Satterley’s own grandfather suffered from asbestosis, a potentially deadly disease caused by asbestos exposure.  In this video, hear Mr. Satterley discuss how his drive to succeed in this area of law is based on his personal experience and what the results of his work have meant.

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