Thanks A Million

Chris Knighton

It is so good to hear that the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund has raised one million pound for research. All the money we raise goes to this fund which all goes directly to research into Mesothelioma. Well done to Chris Knighton and to everyone who has donated to this charity.
AFTER Mick Knighton died of asbestos-related cancer in 2001, his wife Chris vowed to raise £100,000 in her husband’s name because that was the average amount of compensation paid to mesothelioma sufferers.
But now, ten years after setting up the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund, she is celebrating having collected ten times the amount she set out to raise.“It’s just amazing that we’ve reached £1m, and the fact this is Mick’s tenth anniversary year makes it even more special,” said Chris, of Wallsend. Mick was diagnosed with mesothelioma after returning from holiday with a chest infection.Chris said: “We were told there was no treatment, no cure and no hope.” Just eight months later, Mick, pictured, died.“Throughout Mick’s illness, we had both become increasingly aware of how little is known about mesothelioma and the vital need for more research into the disease,” said Chris. Mick had been exposed to asbestos while in the Navy. As a gunner, he was issued with anti-inflammable gauntlets and hoods, and the gun turret he manned was lined with asbestos. “Many of our donations are given by people who themselves have lost loved ones to the disease, and I’m so grateful for their support,” said Chris. “£1m is fantastic, but it’s what we’ve been able to do with it that’s important.” So far, the charity has funded four major research studies of mesothelioma, and the Rotary Club of Monkseaton Centenary this week presented Chris with a community service award for her fundraising efforts. “Our first study was into Alimta, the only licensed chemotherapy drug to help treat the disease,” she said. “Although not a cure, it may bring a better quality of life for longer to some.
“The next two studies are looking into treating mesothelioma by stem cells. Although in the early stages, the results so far have been encouraging. “The latest study is a new approach into starving the mesothelioma cells of the nutrients they need to survive.” The charity has also set up mesothelioma self-help and friendship groups in both North and South Tyneside to give sufferers and their families an opportunity to meet other people in similar circumstances. “My next challenge is to raise enough money to set up the first mesothelioma tissue and blood bank, which will have a major impact on research into the disease,” said Chris. The fund is holding a memorial service on Friday, July 1, at 11am at St Nicholas’s Cathedral in Newcastle.
Chris said: “The service is for all who have lost their lives to asbestos-related disease, and mesothelioma in particular, and will be followed by a sponsored dove release in their memory. “The service forms part of Action Mesothelioma Day, an annual event to raise awareness of mesothelioma.”
The service will be followed by a seminar at 1.30pm. To book a place at the seminar or make a donation, call (0191) 263 7386 or e-mail c.knighton@mkmrf.org.uk
To learn more about mesothelioma or the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund, visit www.mickknightonmesorf.org

Bernie Brighton Marathon 2011

Well done to Bernie Barnaville for completing the Brighton Marathon and running it for our charity, he raised over six hundred pounds for his efforts, it was a huge commitment and we are very proud of him for doing it on behalf of the charity.

Don't forget our sponsored walk on Sunday 29th May, (details below)

Renal Cancer Drug Can Be Used as New Treatment For Mesothelioma

Thursday, May 12th, 2011

In a study published in the May issue of the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, temsirolimus, a drug that is used to treat kidney cancer, has shown positive results when treating pleural mesothelioma cells. Temsirolimus is a kinase inhibitor, which blocks the growth of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) proteins. These proteins are found in mesothelioma cells.

Malignant mesothelioma, an uncommon form of cancer that develops in the lining of the vital organs in the body, is directly linked to asbestos exposure. Because of the long latency period associated with the cancer, it is frequently not diagnosed until the late stages of the disease.

Temsirolimus had a strong growth-stopping effect on all mesothelioma cells. However, cisplatin, a commonly used chemotherapy drug for mesothelioma treatment, displayed hypersensitivity against temsirolimus. Because of this, researchers in the study believe temsirolimus can be used in combination with other current chemotherapeutic treatments as a second-line treatment.

Professor Walter Berger of the Institute of Cancer Research at the Medical University of Vienna, a researcher on the project, stated, “Malignant mesothelioma is a severe human malignancy characterized by a very bad prognosis, with a mean patient survival of less than one year. This unacceptable situation is mainly caused by late diagnosis combined with a distinct resistance to all forms of systemic therapy available so far.”

Professor Berger commented further on the results of the study saying, “In our preclinical study, published in the JTO, we were able to demonstrate that the inhibition of the major oncogene mTOR is activate against human mesothelioma especially after development of chemotherapy resistance both in vitro and in vivo. These results suggest the initiation of clinical trials involving mTOR inhibitors as novel anti-mesothelioma strategy.”