ONCONASE Effective Treatment for Mesothelioma,Tumors

A report recently published in Cell Cycle supports the preferential effectiveness of ONCONASE toward tumor cells, and underlines the effectiveness of the drug in treating malignant mesothelioma. Cell Cycle is a scientific journal that focuses on molecular aspects of cancer research, and which is dedicated to research on the cell cycle and cancer.
The report is the result of collaborative research conducted at the Brander Cancer Research Institute and the Department of Pathology at New York Medical College, in conjunction with the drug manufacturer, Alfacell.
The new study provides further evidence of the impact ONCONASE has on the RNAi mechanism, said Alfacell CEO Kuslima Shogen in a company news release. Shogen said it also provides evidence as to why ONCONASE helps sensitize cells to other antitumor agents.
According to the release, “The study demonstrated that silencing the glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene (an abundant and ubiquitously expressed housekeeping gene) in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells by siRNA was effectively prevented by ONCONASE. While transfection of cells with GAPDH siRNA reduced expression of this protein by nearly 70 percent, the expression was restored in the cells exposed to ONCONASE for 48 or 72 hours. The data thus provide evidence that one of the targets of ONCONASE (ranpirnase) is siRNA.”
Results of ONCONASE Phase III clinical trials, “demonstrate significant efficacy in patients with malignant mesothelioma that failed prior chemotherapy,” according to Alfacell information. The drug utilizes a proprietary ribonuclease (RNase) technology that targets cancer cells while sparing normal cells.

Scientists Study How Asbestos Fibers Trigger Cancer in Human Cells

The Strength of Disease: Molecular Bonds Between Asbestos and Human Cells”
Will be presented on Friday, December 19, 2008, at 1:40 p.m. (at the American Geophysical Union meeting in San Francisco
Ohio State University scientists believe they are the first in the world to study the molecular underpinnings of cancer by probing individual bonds between an asbestos fiber and human cells.
Though any clinical application is years away, the researchers hope their findings could aid in drug development efforts targeting illnesses caused by excessive exposure to asbestos, including the deadly cancer called mesothelioma.
The researchers use atomic force microscopy to observe how a single asbestos fiber binds with a specific receptor protein on cell surfaces. They suspect that at least one of the more lethal forms of asbestos triggers a cascade of events inside cells that eventually lead to illness, sometimes decades later.
The conditions most commonly associated with long-term exposure to airborne asbestos are lung cancer; asbestosis, a chronic respiratory disease; and mesothelioma, a cancer that forms in the membrane lining most internal organs of the body, including the lungs.
Eric Taylor, a doctoral candidate in earth sciences at Ohio State and a coauthor of the study, describes atomic force microscopy as “Braille on a molecular level,” meaning it allows scientists to feel and observe what’s happening on molecular surfaces.
“We’re looking at what molecules are involved in the chain of events when the fiber touches the cell. Does the binding occur over minutes, or hours? And what processes are triggered?” said Taylor, who presented the research at the American Geophysical Union meeting in San Francisco.
Asbestos comprises six different minerals that naturally occur in both fragment and fibrous forms. Because of its high durability and heat resistance, the fibrous form has been used in many manufacturing products since the late 1800s. Though its use is now highly regulated, asbestos is still present in many materials. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that 1.3 million employees face significant asbestos exposure on the job. Environmental exposure is also possible because asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral in soils and exposed bedrock.
Crocidolite, or blue asbestos, is part of the amphibole group of asbestos minerals, which were banned in most of the Western world by the mid-1980s. Before that, they were used in such products as ceiling tiles and thermal insulation.
Ohio State researchers have focused so far on the crocidolite form of asbestos, but eventually hope to study how all six forms of asbestos interact with certain proteins on cell surfaces. Some forms of asbestos can dissolve in the lungs if they are inhaled, but others are believed to essentially “stick” to cells, especially at high concentrations, and eventually cause lung diseases.“For the first time, this will give us data on biological activity that should help policymakers determine which forms of asbestos are the most dangerous,” said Steven Lower, associate professor of earth sciences at Ohio State and a coauthor on the study.
“The hypothesis we’re testing is that binding of cell surface receptors to asbestos fibers triggers a signal event, which initiates the cancer,” said Lower, also a faculty member in the School of Environment and Natural Resources. “There seems to be something intrinsic about certain types of asbestos, blue asbestos in particular, that elicits a unique signal, and it triggers inflammation, the formation of pre-malignant cells and, ultimately, cancer.”
The first protein to be studied is epidermal growth factor receptor, which is present on the surface of every human cell. Understanding the intricacies of the binding process between the mineral and one or more proteins will provide an index of the biological activity of a particular type of asbestos, and might lead the researchers to figure out how to prevent or undo that interaction, Lower said.
Taylor said the driving motivation behind the research is the potential to find a way to intervene and prevent illness even after someone is exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma symptoms don’t typically appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure. After diagnosis, however, the cancer is difficult to control, and there is no cure.
This work is supported by the National Science Foundation.

Eastbourne Man Fined For Asbestos Removal

Monday 29 September 2008 Health and Safety Executive (South East)

Eastbourne man fined £44,000 for unlicensed removal of asbestos
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is urging people to ensure that they use licensed companies to remove asbestos insulation board or asbestos lagging.
This follows the joint prosecution with the Environment Agency of Robert McCart today, a Director of two Eastbourne based companies, Sussex Asbestos Solutions (South East) Ltd and Sussex Asbestos Solutions Ltd. At Eastbourne Magistrates' Court, Mr McCart pleaded guilty and was fined £36,000 and £4,000 costs for breaching seven regulations under The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 (please see notes to editors). He was also ordered to pay £4,000 compensation to the shop owner.
The Court clearly accepted the gravity of the offence and also disqualified Mr McCart from being a Director for four years.
Mr McCart was charged with health and safety offences following work he carried out to a shop in Gore Park Road, Eastbourne between 17 and 19 November 2007. He was employed by a local businessman to remove asbestos insulation board from his shop. Mr McCart undertook the removal of asbestos insulation board without the required licence for work with asbestos, and without notifying the HSE.
Mr McCart failed to carry out the appropriate precautions and left a white sack containing broken pieces of asbestos insulation board outside the shop, and asbestos debris inside the property. Mr McCart's actions put members of the public at risk of exposure to potentially lethal asbestos fibres.
HSE inspector, Amanda Huff, said:
"Robert McCart deliberately ignored the law for financial gain. Mr McCart was aware of the dangers associated with asbestos and yet decided to risk not only his own life but also members of the public.
"The HSE won't hesitate to take action against people who breach Health and Safety Law and put others at risk.
"Asbestos related diseases kill more people than any other single work related illness. It is essential that when any work is carried out which might potentially expose people to asbestos fibres that only competent operatives are used and the appropriate precautions are taken."
Asbestos licences are only issued to companies that are able to demonstrate that they have the appropriate training and competence in place. A list of licensed contractors can be found on HSE's web site at http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/licensing/index.htm

Health & Safety Asbestos Regualations

1. Regulation 9 of The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 states that: an employer shall not undertake any work with asbestos unless he has notified the appropriate office of the enforcing authority in writing of the particulars specified in Schedule 1 at least 14 days before commencing that work or such shorter time before as the enforcing authority may agree.
2. Regulation 8(1) of The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 states that: an employer shall not undertake any work with asbestos unless he holds a licence granted under paragraph (2) of this regulation.
3. Regulation 24(1) of The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 states that: Every employer who undertakes work with asbestos shall ensure that raw asbestos or waste which contains asbestos is not-(a) stored; (b) received into or despatched from any place of work; or (c) distributed within any place of work, except in a totally enclosed distribution system, unless it is in a sealed receptacle or, where more appropriate, sealed wrapping, clearly marked in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3) showing that it contains asbestos.
4. Regulation 22(2) of The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 states that: every employer shall ensure that each of his employees who is exposed to asbestos is under adequate medical surveillance by a relevant doctor.
5. Regulation 18(2) of The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 states that: Asbestos areas and respirator zones shall be clearly and separately demarcated and identified by notices indicating-(a) that the area is an asbestos area or a respirator zone or both, as the case may be; and (b) in the case of a respirator zone, that the exposure of an employee who enters it is liable to exceed the control limit and that respiratory protective equipment must be worn.
6. Regulation 17 of The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 states that: Every employer who undertakes work which exposes or is liable to expose his employees to asbestos shall ensure that-(a) the premises, or those parts of the premises where that work is carried out, and the plant used in connection with that work are kept in a clean state; and (b) where such work has been completed, the premises, or those parts of the premises where the work was carried out, are thoroughly cleaned.
7. Regulation 16 of The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 states that: every employer shall prevent or, where this is not reasonably practicable, reduce to the lowest level reasonably practicable the spread of asbestos from any place where work under his control is carried out.
8. A breakdown of fines and costs against Mr McCart is as follows: - HSE offences - £18,000 and £3,000 costs - Environment Agency offences - £18,000 and £1,000 costs - £15 victim surcharge as a company and £15 victim surcharge as an individual - £4,000 compensation to the victim - TOTAL: £44,030
9. For more information on asbestos please go to the HSE website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/index.htm

Mesothelioma Petition

Please could you all sign the petition on the link below I am doing as much as I can to raise awareness of this awfull disease and the fact that sufferers can't even get all treatment options here in their own country. Please please could you forward it onto friends and families and ask as many people as possible to sign it..

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Mesothelioma-/



If the link doesn't work just copy and paste

Insurers fail in attempt to deny compensation to asbestos cancer sufferers
(pictured left Bob Tolley)

Victory for the families of mesothelioma victims was being celebrated today as Mr Justice Burton, the Judge hearing the Trigger issue litigation, told the insurance companies they had failed in their attempt to deny compensation to victims of an asbestos related cancer and their families.
Insurance companies had tried to use a legal loophole to defeat mesothelioma claims and save themselves millions of pounds. A shocked courtroom heard a director of MMI tell the judge that if they won this case they would save themselves £70 to £90 million out of money set aside to compensate asbestos victims. This is a small fraction of the overall savings that would be made by other insurers– the savings would have potentially been billions.
Although this case only dealt with workers who developed mesothelioma, some insurance companies planned to use the same arguments to avoid paying compensation to any victim of asbestos disease. This would lead to thousands of asbestos victims receiving nothing. For over 50 years insurers on risk at the time that employees were exposed to deadly asbestos dust paid compensation to those who later developed asbestos disease. This changed in 2006 when insurers refused to pay any compensation, arguing that the policy did not cover the claims, as there was no injury until about 10 years before symptoms appeared. By this time many employers would no longer exist or could be insolvent, leaving asbestos sufferers without anyone to claim against.
Betty Tolley’s, husband Bob,died in September 2006, he worked for Humphrey’s & Glasgow Ltd. During his work he was exposed to asbestos, which killed him at the age of 67. In June 2008 at the High Court, a judge told Humphreys & Glasgow’s to pay compensation but they had gone out of business and their insurers, Excess refused to pay. Betty is now owed £200,000.00. For Betty this decision is the end of a long and painful battle: “You cannot put a value on anyone’s life, but to watch my husband of 48 years suffer such a painful death was something I will never get over. This decision will help people like me and my family whose loved ones have been exposed to asbestos through their employers neglect and have paid the ultimate price with their lives. No amount of money will ever compensate the loss of my husband Bob, I miss him terribly, he deserved more time with me, his children and grandchildren, that choice was sadly taken away from him due to no fault of his own. Bob’s daughter Christine Dennis added “ It is a great relief for me and my family that Justice Burton has handed down this judgement in favour of asbestos victims and their families. The fact that they would seek to deny sufferers and their families compensation when for years they have collected premiums is unbelievable. Workers have the right to be covered by their employers for hazards which could potentially cause them harm.
Carolann Hepworth, specialist solicitor at John Pickering and Partners LLP said: “I am delighted at the result for the claimants in this case. This is a ground-breaking decision in which John Pickering and Partners LLP have secured a successful outcome for our clients and for thousands of other mesothelioma victims.
This is a landmark ruling from the Court that prevents the insurance industry from withholding millions of pounds meant for claimants. The Judge has forbidden insurers from denying their responsibilities to their policyholders who paid premiums in good faith expecting their employees to be protected.
This case not only cost the taxpayer millions of pounds but caused untold anguish and suffering for many mesothelioma victims and their families.”
Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that affects the lining around the lungs (the pleura) and certain other organs such as the peritoneum. There is no cure for mesothelioma. Radical surgery is available to a limited number of eligible patients. The condition can be difficult to diagnose and patients generally survive less than 18 months from diagnosis. The only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos. Mesothelioma often occurs 30 to 40 years after asbestos exposure, with no upper time limit. Although mesothelioma is an occupational disease, victims include teachers, nurses, doctors, shop workers and family members of people who have worked with asbestos.

Asbestos Victims Win High Court Victory

Friday, November 21, 2008

Victims of asbestos-related cancer today won an important High Court victory against insurers.
For many years, insurers paid compensation for the fatal lung disease mesothelioma on the basis that their liability arose at the time when a worker was exposed to asbestos dust.
But, two years ago, the Court of Appeal ruled in a different legal context that liability was "triggered" when the disease actually developed - sometimes after 40 years or more - rather than at the time of exposure.
As a result, insurers stopped paying on a "time of exposure" basis and argued they were not liable because the risk cover they provided 40 years ago was no longer in force.
This summer, during a nine-week legal battle, Mr Justice Burton was asked by employees and employers to rule that the appeal court decision - made in a case of occupiers' rather than employers' liability insurance - should not be applied generally.
Arguing that liability arose at the time of exposure to asbestos, Colin Wynter QC, for three families battling to recover compensation from insurers, said: "It cannot be right to say that a man injured today is not actually injured until tomorrow."
Mr Wynter also represented employers who, although still solvent, faced the threat of compensation claims if their insurance cover was held not to have applied at the time of their workers' exposure to asbestos.
Today, the judge gave a ruling on six test cases which means that employees can claim against the employers' historic insurers even though there is no exact proof of when life-threatening tumours develop.
He said: "For the purposes of these policies, injury is sustained when it is caused and disease is contracted when it is caused, and the policies fall to be so construed."
Thousands of families of workers who have already died and others who may contract the disease in the future were awaiting the outcome of the case.
After the ruling, Derek Simpson, joint general secretary of trade union Unite said: "This is a hugely important victory for the victims of the deadly dust and for their families.
"Having to suffer or watch your relatives suffer from a slow and painful death is horrific.
"Thousands of men and women across the UK have been negligently exposed to asbestos by their employers, but insurers have tried and failed to use legal technicalities to escape their responsibility to pay compensation under the policies they sold to employers.
"They sought to avoid their liabilities while pocketing the money."

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma’ is a form of cancer which affects the thin
membranes lining the chest (pleural Mesothelioma) or, less
commonly, the linings of the abdomen (peritoneal Mesothelioma).
It may also surround the organs within these cavities for example
the heart, lung and intestines.
Pleural Mesothelioma
The pleural lining has two layers – an inner (visceral) layer lining
the lung and an outer (parietal) layer lining the chest wall. The
pleura produce fluid to lubricate the space between the two layers
allowing the layers to slide comfortably over each other as we
breathe.
Pleural Mesothelioma causes the pleura to thicken. This may
make it press on the lung or attach itself to the chest wall. Fluid,
sometimes several litres, can collect between the two layers and
cause breathlessness. This is known as a pleural effusion.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
The peritoneum also has two layers, the inner (visceral) layer next
to the abdominal organs and the outer (parietal) layer lining the
abdominal wall. Peritoneal Mesothelioma causes the peritoneum
to thicken and fluid (known as ascites) to collect in the abdomen
causing it to swell.
What Causes Mesothelioma
Exposure to asbestos is the only known cause of Mesothelioma. It
was a relatively rare disease up to the 1980’s, but is now occurring
more frequently because of the heavy industrial use of asbestos in
the post-war years. For most people diagnosed with Mesothelioma
the exposure happened 20-40 years previously although it could,
in some instances, be a longer or a shorter interval. Sometimes the
asbestos exposure may have been very brief and not always easy
to identify. Mesothelioma is, however, more common in people
who have had repeated exposure, usually in a work environment.
There are several types of asbestos all of which have been known
to cause Mesothelioma.
How Is Mesothelioma Diagnosed
Early diagnosis is difficult. In most cases the first obvious sign is
sudden breathlessness caused by an accumulation of fluid in the
pleural space. It may be accompanied by other symptoms such
as chest pain. Scans and X-rays can provide strong evidence to
support the diagnosis especially coupled with a history of asbestos
exposure.
However, other diseases can produce these symptoms and to
be certain of a correct diagnosis more investigations often need
to be carried out. Scans, fluid taken for laboratory examination,
needle biopsy or keyhole surgery to take a biopsy (a small sample
of tissue) are likely to be carried out to help confirmation of
diagnosis. These tests and results could take several weeks to
complete.
Is There Any Treatment That May Help
Mesothelioma responds very little to the normal cancer treatments
such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Any treatment offered
depends on several factors. These should include patient choice,
how well someone is, and how advanced the disease is. At present,
there is no known cure for this disease.
The initial most helpful treatment deals with the symptoms of
the disease. Removing fluid from around the lung can help to
relieve breathlessness. It can be drained either by drawing it
off or inserting a small drainage tube. However, fluid often re accumulates and the chest physician or surgeon may perform a procedure called a 'Pleurodesis’.
This is an attempt to “stick” the lung surface to the chest wall by
inserting sterile talc into the pleural space. This may be done by
a surgeon using ‘keyhole surgery’ otherwise called VATS –Video
assisted thoracoscopic surgery.
Surgery
A relatively minor form of surgery may be carried out during the
VATS procedure, involving the removal of some of the tumour.
Surgery may also improve some of the symptoms of the disease.
A major operation called an Extra-pleural Pneumonectomy (EPP)
is suitable only for a very select group of patients with early stage
disease and who are physically and mentally able to tolerate such
extensive surgery. The operation involves the removal of the whole
affected lung along with its lining, the lining of the heart and part
of the diaphragm. A limited number of thoracic surgeons in the
country can carry out this procedure Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery
Chemotherapy
This is drug treatment to destroy or control cancer cells. Unlike
other cancers there is no evidence that chemotherapy ever cures
Mesothelioma. Some trials and studies have however indicated that
it may help to improve symptoms temporarily and may extend life
expectancy slightly.
Not all patients with Mesothelioma will benefit from chemotherapy
and there is no way of knowing which patients will benefit and
which will not. It is important for you to discuss this with doctors
and nurses involved in providing it.
Radiotherapy
This is the use of high energy radiation to kill diseased cells in the
body. In Mesothelioma it can be used in two ways:
1)A short course of treatment to the chest wall where a biopsy has
been done. This is a preventative measure and is intended to stop
Mesothelioma growing in the skin layer.
2) Some patients may benefit from some pain relief following
radiotherapy

Approximately 1800 new cases of Mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in England. The large majority of patients will die within a year of diagnosis and only a very small minority will survive 5 years.
It is imperative that Mesothelioma patients should be diagnosed as early as possible, offered radical treatment where this is appropriate, have access to optimal palliative interventions and care and be offered appropriate information and advice including on financial benefits and possible compensation.
A Framework has been developed by the Department of Health on advice from members of its Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma Advisory Group and from the British Thoracic Society. It includes comments received during consultation with cancer networks, professional groups and patients groups. I have no doubt that implementation of the recommendations in this Framework will improve quality for care for patients with Mesothelioma.
Professor Mike Richards (National Cancer Director )


There are around 1800 new cases of Mesothelioma a year in the UK and the disease is almost always fatal. More people die of mesothelioma than of cervical cancer, malignant melanoma or endometrial carcinoma. Mesothelioma incidence is still rising and is expected to peak between 2010 and 2015. Between 2006 and 2020 up to 30,000 people will die of the disease in the UK.
In most cases, Mesothelioma is an industrial disease which leads to complicated legal and financial information needs.
More research is necessary if outcomes are to be improved;

Mesothelioma is a cancer which principally affects the lining of the lungs (pleura). However it can also affect the peritoneum (a thin lining in the abdomen), and occasionally, arises in the membranes covering either the testes (tunica vaginalis) or the heart (pericardium). Over 90% of Mesothelioma with a known first site occurs as pleural Mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma has a very strong association with exposure to asbestos and is exceedingly rare in its absence. When asbestos fibres are inhaled, malignant change occurs in a proportion of individuals and cancer of the pleura can follow. It is believed that nearly all deaths caused by Mesothelioma are linked to asbestos exposure.

There is a long ‘lag time’ between exposure to asbestos and the development of Mesothelioma, this varies from a minimum of about 10 years upwards, the average interval being in the order of 30-40 years

Cases of Mesothelioma in the UK used to occur mainly in people who had worked in ship building and heavy engineering (which used significant amounts of asbestos) and asbestos product manufacturing industries. For this reason, Mesothelioma was more common in areas such as Scotland, the North East and Southern England where many of these industries were based.

An increasing proportion of cases are now being diagnosed in individuals who may have had less intense exposure such as the building industry (carpenters, electricians, demolition workers etc.) and people who have worked in buildings where asbestos construction materials have been used and become disturbed in some way. It is estimated that these now represent the majority of new cases and therefore there is a large number of people who are at risk of the disease who may be unaware of their exposure to asbestos.

Men are far more likely to develop Mesothelioma than women, mainly because they were more likely to have been exposed to asbestos in the course of their work than women were. However, family members of people exposed to asbestos also have a higher risk of developing Mesothelioma because of fibres brought into the home on work clothes. A third group of cases probably arise because of ‘environmental’ exposure, for example in individuals who have lived in close proximity to asbestos factories or dumping sites. There is also a small number of deaths each year in people with no history of asbestos exposure – evidence suggests that there are likely to be at least 50 of these so-called “spontaneous” Mesothelioma cases each year in Great Britain.


The use, supply and importation of asbestos and asbestos products is now banned for all but a few exceptions by the Asbestos (prohibition) Regulations. Work with asbestos generally requires a licence and the use of strict control measures, including personal protective equipment such as respirators. The latest revision of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations introduced, from May 2004, a duty on those responsible for commercial premises to manage the asbestos contained in them (source: www.HSE.gov.uk).

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has found that the geographical variation in incidence is associated with the geographical locations of asbestos related industries. High risk areas tend to be those containing, or near to, industrial sites where asbestos was used extensively in the past – shipyards, asbestos manufacturing factories and railway engineering works for example (source: www.hse.gov.uk).

Information from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) also shows that the annual number of Mesothelioma deaths is increasing from 153 in 1968 to 1633 in 2000 to 1969 in 2004. The annual total number of Mesothelioma deaths in Great Britain is predicted to peak during the period 2011 to 2015 at a level up to 2450 deaths per annum

The survival rate for Mesothelioma is poor compared with other cancers. This is thought to be due to the advanced nature of Mesothelioma at the time of diagnosis and the lack of effective treatments. However, with earlier detection and improved services it could be possible to extend and improve the quality of life of Mesothelioma patients and there is the potential for radical therapy in a small minority of patients which could significantly increase their length of survival. At the very least, such early stage patients should have the opportunity to be entered into high quality trials of new therapeutic approaches.

Raising Awareness
As with all cancers, it is likely that the earlier Mesothelioma is diagnosed the better the outcome for the patient in terms of improved symptom control and possibly length of survival. To ensure early presentation, the awareness of Mesothelioma among two target audiences needs consideration:
A. The Public;
B. Clinicians (both in primary care and non-specialist hospital departments).

There is very little known about public awareness of this condition and whether/if there is benefit to be gained by raising awareness of the risk across the general population given the potential psychologicial impact of knowing that, even if you were diagnosed early, Mesothelioma is at present an incurable disease.
Supportive and Palliative Care
As Mesothelioma is almost always fatal, all patients will need palliative interventions and care at different stages of their illness. Supportive and palliative care therefore has a key role to play for both patients and their families and carers.
Patients with Mesothelioma frequently suffer distressing symptoms. These may include breathlessness, chest pain, fatigue and weight loss. Intractable pain in particular is a key issue. Specialist palliative care including specific interventions such as radiotherapy to the site of chest drainage/biopsy, nerve blocks & cordotomy, are of particular importance in providing relief for some patients.

The MARS (Mesothelioma and Radical Surgery) study (funded by Cancer Research UK and the June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund). This is a pilot study to determine the feasibility and acceptability of performing a randomised trial comparing extra-pleural pneumonectomy (EPP) against no EPP surgery within the context of trimodality therapy (chemotherapy, surgery, post-operative radiotherapy). It is currently recruiting ahead of schedule;

The MESO-VATS study (funded by the BUPA foundation) – a prospective randomised controlled trial of video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) cytoreductive pleurectomy compared to talc pleurodesis in patients with suspected or proven malignant Mesothelioma. This has been underway for 2 years and is expected to expand into further centres.

The MES01 trial - a trial which compared chemotherapy against active supportive care alone for patients with malignant pleural Mesothelioma recently closed for recruitment. It is expected to report in 2007 and planning is underway for MES02.

The National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Lung Clinical Studies Group has established a Mesothelioma sub-group to facilitate the development of these and other clinical trials in the disease

Benefits Related to Employment - A patient (except if they were self-employed) may be entitled to the following benefits, if they have developed Mesothelioma after coming into contact with asbestos as a result of paid employment:
a) Pneumoconiosis, Byssinosis and Miscellaneous Diseases Benefit Scheme – a patient may be eligible to make a claim under this scheme if it is believed that the disease developed because of a job done before 5 July 1948;
b) Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) – a patient may be eligible for this benefit if the disease developed because of a job involving working with asbestos or being exposed to asbestos after 4 July 1948
Claims for both these benefits should be made as soon as possible so that a patient does not lose out on benefits they may be entitled to. Patients, their families, or NHS staff can contact the Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 88 22 00 if they need further information.

If exposure to asbestos might have happened during service in the armed forces rather than in other employment, a claim can be made for a war disablement pension from the Veterans Agency by contacting on 0800 169 2277.

Other Benefits
Other benefits that patients with mesothelioma or their carers may be eligible to claim (sometimes in addition to the benefits above) include:
a) Disability Living Allowance – if someone is under the age of 65 they may be able to claim this allowance if they need help with personal care needs or have difficulty getting around because of their illness.
b) Attendance Allowance – if someone is over the age of 65 and needs help with personal care needs because of their illness, they may be able to claim an Attendance Allowance. If a patient’s illness means that they are not expected to live for more than six months, special rules apply to claims for this allowance to make sure any entitlement is received quickly and easily.
c) Constant Attendance Allowance – if a patient is in receipt of Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit or a War Disablement Pension and needs daily care and attention because of the disability they may also be entitled to claim a Constant Attendance Allowance.
d) Carer’s Allowance – if a patient is in receipt of the highest or middle rate care component of Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance or some rates of Constant Attendance Allowance and has someone helping to look after them, they may also be entitled to claim a Carer’s Allowance.
e) Other Benefits may also be paid to replace or top up earnings and
help with housing costs - it is important that patients get expert advice about all these benefits and the Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 88 22 00 is a useful starting point.
Compensation

If Mesothelioma is likely to have been caused by exposure to asbestos at work, it may be possible to claim compensation from the employer, or from several employers, by suing them for negligence. If Mesothelioma is likely to have been caused because of clothing contamination or environmental exposure, it may also be possible to claim compensation from the relevant firm.

This is a very specialised area of law and a patient or their family should seek advice from a specialist solicitor who will know how to deal with a claim and to make sure it is dealt with as quickly as possible. If the person with Mesothelioma is a union member, or was when they worked with asbestos, their union may be able to refer them to an experienced solicitor. If not, a local Asbestos Victims Support Group if one exists in the area, will be able to help with advice. They will know of expert solicitors. The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers also has a list of experienced asbestos solicitors and the Law Society, or the Law Society of Scotland, will be able to provide a patient with a list of solicitors in their area.

As exposure may have happened several decades ago, an employer may no longer be in business. This does not mean that a claim cannot be made, as the solicitor may be able to claim against the employer’s insurer.

In addition, the Pneumoconiosis Etc. (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979 provides one-off lump sum compensation for sufferers (or their dependants if they have died) of this disease who are unable to claim damages from the employers who caused the disease, because they have ceased trading.

Sources of help, advice and support
Leaflets are available for some of the benefits referred to in this annex setting out more information about the qualifying conditions, how to claim and where to obtain the relevant claim forms. These can be downloaded and printed from: http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/jcp/customers/leaflets_and_guides/dev_011720.xml.html.

In addition, the following are useful sources of advice for patients with, or families affected by, Mesothelioma along with NHS employees who may require advice:

a) Mesothelioma UK (the National Macmillan Mesothelioma Resource Centre): 0800 169 2409
b) Cancer BACUP: 0808 800 1234
c) British Lung Foundation helpline: 0845 850 5020
d) Department for Work and Pensions benefit enquiry line 0800 88 22 00, Textphone 0800 24 33 55
e) Forum of Asbestos Victims Support Groups: 0161 636 7555
f) Association of Personal Injury Lawyers: 0870 609 1958
g) Law Society: 0870 606 6575
h) The Law Society of Scotland: 0131 226 7441
i) Local Citizens Advice Bureau, Veterans Agency, Welfare Rights Organisations and Trade Unions can be found in the phone book.
j) Veterans Agency 0800 169 2277, Textphone 0800 169 3458
k) Benefit Enquiry Line: Phone: 0800 88 22 00Textphone: 0800 24 33

http://www.direct.gov.uk/disabledpeople

Roselands Fishing Club Charity Donation

The Roselands fishing club held two matches in memory of Bob Tolley and raised £250.00 for the Bob Tolley Mesothelioma Snowdrop Fund.
Prizes were kindly donated by Polegate Angling, Anglers Den, JF Construction, Anglers Cabin and PACES who also donated match fees for the day.
Our thanks to Stuart Hobden, Nigel Hagar and all the members for their kind donation to the fund.
Above left Stuart Hobden and Nigel Hager present the cheque for £250.00 to Betty Tolley on the charity night Saturday 20th September 2008 at Eastbourne United Football Club.
Above right the Roselands Fishing Club members.

Charity Day 2008

The charity day held on Saturday 20th September, in aid of the Bob Tolley Mesothelioma Snowdrop Fund was again a great success, we raised with your help over Three Thousand Pounds for Mesothelioma research, which is great news.
The Bob Tolley Golf Trophy held at Horam Park Golf Club was won by Dan Isted.(Pictured above). The club very kindly donated a golf club for our auction and also looked after the thirty three golfers who played. So a huge thank you to Steve Greenfield and his team there.

Bernie Barnaville was again our excellent auctioneer, he managed to get over a thousand pounds on the auction alone.

Once again we could not have done so well without help from friends, family and Eastbourne United Football Club. We would like to thank you all for your continued support of our charity in memory of my dad.

A big thank you also to C Brewer & Sons who donated £500, Serco Eastbourne £250, Hotchkiss Ltd Eastbourne £100.Andy Shelley £50, Adam Burke £15, Mrs Norwell £10, Jon & Rachel Humphrey £30, Jill & Phil (Tesco Eastbourne) £20, Keith & Jean Garner £10, Mick & Jan Sands, £10, Dave Sands £5,Willingdon Golf Club, The Royal Eastbourne Golf Club, Eastbourne Golfing Park, Wellshurst Golf Club, Malcolm Farrow of Antalis Paper Merchants, Nicky at Beauty Basics, Mo Mambo Restaurant, Pizza Express, Domino's Pizza, Rumblebellys, Pete Veevers Plumb Centre, Ministry Of Hair, Split Endz, Starbucks, Southern FM, WH Smith, Sarah Mason NC Soft, Nick Faldo Enterprises, Colin Montgomerie, Justin Rose, Game Group, Roy Galloway Curzon Cinema, Horam Park Golf Club. Who kindly donated money and auction prizes.

Thank you also to everyone who donated raffle prizes and gave us their time.

This is an annual event to not only raise funds but also awareness of Mesothelioma & Asbetsos diseases.More Details can be found on www.bobtolleyfund.co.uk