The MKMRF are delighted to announce the recipient of this years £100,00 Award is Dr SamJanes, Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant at University College London.
Research Study:
Treating Malignant Mesothelioma with Stem Cells
Despite major advances in several cancers over the past thirty years mesothelioma is still incurable and all those affected will die of the disease.
Dr Janes has recently demonstrated that Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) usually found in bone marrow preferentially travel to and integrate into tumours where they form some of the infrastructure called stoma. He has shown in a mestastic lung cancer that these cells can deliver a therapy to the tumour cells that result in the death of tumour cells but not the normal surrounding tissue cells.
He now wants to deliver this therapy to Mesothelioma. Using this system in another tumour initial experiments to control the growth of tumours has in almost 40% of cases eliminate them. If successful this may introduce a new era of treatments for Mesothelioma patients.
Mesothelioma is particularly suitable to this type of therapy because the cells can be delivered by a tube directly into the chest avoiding problems encountered in trying to target other cancer cells around the body.
Thursday, 25 June 2009
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Monday, 27 April 2009
Well Done !!!
"The Bob Tolley Dominoe Team" have won the Eastbourne League. So Well done to them all and a big thank you for all your support. A more detailed report will follow with photographs from the presentation night which is due to be arranged shortly.
Monday, 20 April 2009
Bart's Mesothelioma Research
Bart’s Mesothelioma Research: is a group of doctors, nurses and laboratory researchers aiming to improve the treatment and increase our understanding of mesothelioma and lung cancer. Mesothelioma is the main type of cancer caused by asbestos poisoning. Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses such as lung cancer and pleural plaques are increasing in incidence even though asbestos was little used after 1980. The problem is that there is a delay of between 30 and 50 years from the exposure to asbestos dust and the development of one of the diseases.
Britain is currently facing an epidemic of asbestos-related illness. Unfortunately there is very little research going on into mesothelioma in the UK. Bart’s Mesothelioma Research is aiming to raise the profile of this neglected group of diseases by offering our patients the best possible treatment and by conducting first-rate clinical and laboratory research.
At Bart’s we have one of the largest outpatient clinics in the UK for patients with mesothelioma. Typically our doctors see two or three new patients weekly. We also see a large number of patients who have completed treatment and are being followed up. We take a very positive view of treatment for mesothelioma and our patients are treated as individuals with treatment tailored accordingly. Treatments that we use include chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. All patients are assessed in detail for symptoms by our team which also includes cancer specialist nurses. www.mesothelioma.co.uk
Britain is currently facing an epidemic of asbestos-related illness. Unfortunately there is very little research going on into mesothelioma in the UK. Bart’s Mesothelioma Research is aiming to raise the profile of this neglected group of diseases by offering our patients the best possible treatment and by conducting first-rate clinical and laboratory research.
At Bart’s we have one of the largest outpatient clinics in the UK for patients with mesothelioma. Typically our doctors see two or three new patients weekly. We also see a large number of patients who have completed treatment and are being followed up. We take a very positive view of treatment for mesothelioma and our patients are treated as individuals with treatment tailored accordingly. Treatments that we use include chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. All patients are assessed in detail for symptoms by our team which also includes cancer specialist nurses. www.mesothelioma.co.uk
Bart's Mesothelioma Clinical Trials
Clinical Trials and Chemotherapy
Irinotecan, mitomycin and cisplatin (‘IPM’) for the first-line or second-line treatment of pleural mesothelioma.
This intensive chemotherapy treatment causes cancer shrinkage in around 30-40% of patients with mesothelioma. Side effects can include lack of energy, nausea and hair loss. The treatment is given every two weeks as an outpatient. Not all patients are suitable for IPM treatment but many patients have benefited from the tumour shrinkage achievable.
Weekly vinorelbine chemotherapy for the first-line or second-line treatment of pleural mesothelioma.
This less-toxic chemotherapy treatment causes cancer shrinkage in around 20% of patients with mesothelioma. Side effects can include lack of energy, nausea and constipation. The treatment is given weekly as an outpatient. Patients sometimes respond to vinorelbine chemotherapy after previous different chemotherapy treatment.
Weekly vinorelbine chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma.
Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma have a similar chance of benefit as patients with pleural mesothelioma.. We offer weekly vinorelbine chemotherapy as our treatment for patients with peritoneal mesothelioma.
We also offer all other conventional mesothelioma treatments. New clinical trials are in development all the time so please go to our website for updates. www.mesothelioma.co.uk
Irinotecan, mitomycin and cisplatin (‘IPM’) for the first-line or second-line treatment of pleural mesothelioma.
This intensive chemotherapy treatment causes cancer shrinkage in around 30-40% of patients with mesothelioma. Side effects can include lack of energy, nausea and hair loss. The treatment is given every two weeks as an outpatient. Not all patients are suitable for IPM treatment but many patients have benefited from the tumour shrinkage achievable.
Weekly vinorelbine chemotherapy for the first-line or second-line treatment of pleural mesothelioma.
This less-toxic chemotherapy treatment causes cancer shrinkage in around 20% of patients with mesothelioma. Side effects can include lack of energy, nausea and constipation. The treatment is given weekly as an outpatient. Patients sometimes respond to vinorelbine chemotherapy after previous different chemotherapy treatment.
Weekly vinorelbine chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma.
Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma have a similar chance of benefit as patients with pleural mesothelioma.. We offer weekly vinorelbine chemotherapy as our treatment for patients with peritoneal mesothelioma.
We also offer all other conventional mesothelioma treatments. New clinical trials are in development all the time so please go to our website for updates. www.mesothelioma.co.uk
Bart's Mesothelioma Research
Laboratory Research Programme - Introduction
The Bart's laboratory programme is aiming to understand the biology of malignant mesothelioma.
The main interests of our laboratory group are:
Apoptosis, or "programmed cell death", is the regulatory process by which damaged cells are destroyed. There are at least two known apopotic pathways - the "intrinsic" and the "extrinsic", both of which involve the activation of a family of proteins called caspases. Under normal cell activity, activation of caspases leads to apoptosis. In tumours, disruptions in these pathways cause resistance to apoptosis and ensure cell survival and development.
With the use of tissue and molecular biology techniques, we are trying to identify dysfunctional proteins in the mesothelioma apoptotic pathway and sites of drug resistance.
The protein identified might be novel targets for effective treatment.
The genetics of malignant pleural mesothelioma.
The Bart's laboratory programme is aiming to understand the biology of malignant mesothelioma.
The main interests of our laboratory group are:
- The study of apoptotic mechanisms and sites of drug resistance in malignant mesothelioma.
Apoptosis, or "programmed cell death", is the regulatory process by which damaged cells are destroyed. There are at least two known apopotic pathways - the "intrinsic" and the "extrinsic", both of which involve the activation of a family of proteins called caspases. Under normal cell activity, activation of caspases leads to apoptosis. In tumours, disruptions in these pathways cause resistance to apoptosis and ensure cell survival and development.With the use of tissue and molecular biology techniques, we are trying to identify dysfunctional proteins in the mesothelioma apoptotic pathway and sites of drug resistance.
The protein identified might be novel targets for effective treatment.
The genetics of malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma cell-line studies and state of the art genomic array technology is used to identify alterations in the mesothelioma genome and provide information for target therapy.
Thursday, 2 April 2009
Charity Event 2009
The Bob Tolley Mesothelioma Snowdrop Fund
Charity Event
Saturday 26th September 2009
Golf Competition "The Bob Tolley Golf Trophy"
Horam Park Golf Club
Followed by An Auction, Raffle, Disco & Buffet
Eastbourne United Football Club
The Oval Channelview Road Eastbourne
All Proceeds to Mesothelioma Research
Charity Event
Saturday 26th September 2009
Golf Competition "The Bob Tolley Golf Trophy"
Horam Park Golf Club
Followed by An Auction, Raffle, Disco & Buffet
Eastbourne United Football Club
The Oval Channelview Road Eastbourne
All Proceeds to Mesothelioma Research
Tuesday, 31 March 2009
Study Examines Mesothelioma Risk In Britain
A new report prepared by the Institute of Cancer Research and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine examines the occupational, domestic and environmental mesothelioma risks in Britain. The findings are not good news.
The study was conducted for the Health and Safety Executive, an organization whose mission is to prevent death, injury and ill health in Great Britain’s workplaces. The HSE says this is the largest global study of its kind, including more than 600 patients with mesothelioma and 1,400 healthy people, interviewed to examine the rates of mesothelioma among different occupations in the UK.
Statistics resulting from the study include the following:
One in 17 British carpenters born in the 1940s will die of mesothelioma
Plumbers, electricians and decorators born in the 1940s who worked in their trade for more than 10 years before they were 30 have a risk of 1 in 50 of dying of mesothelioma
The risk for other construction workers born in this generation is 1 in 125.
For every case of mesothelioma, asbestos also causes about 1 case of lung cancer; the risk of asbestos-related lung cancer for carpenters in this age group is 1 in 10.
In other industries, about two thirds of British men and one quarter of British women worked in jobs with potential asbestos exposure.
Among the general UK population, even those who did not experience occupational exposure still have a 1 in 1,000 risk of mesothelioma, indicating unrecognized environmental asbestos exposure, due to its widespread use in the 1960s and 1970s.
The report estimates there are more than 2,100 people diagnosed with mesothelioma in the UK every year, with about 5 times as many cases in men as in women.
Read the full report.
The study was conducted for the Health and Safety Executive, an organization whose mission is to prevent death, injury and ill health in Great Britain’s workplaces. The HSE says this is the largest global study of its kind, including more than 600 patients with mesothelioma and 1,400 healthy people, interviewed to examine the rates of mesothelioma among different occupations in the UK.
Statistics resulting from the study include the following:
One in 17 British carpenters born in the 1940s will die of mesothelioma
Plumbers, electricians and decorators born in the 1940s who worked in their trade for more than 10 years before they were 30 have a risk of 1 in 50 of dying of mesothelioma
The risk for other construction workers born in this generation is 1 in 125.
For every case of mesothelioma, asbestos also causes about 1 case of lung cancer; the risk of asbestos-related lung cancer for carpenters in this age group is 1 in 10.
In other industries, about two thirds of British men and one quarter of British women worked in jobs with potential asbestos exposure.
Among the general UK population, even those who did not experience occupational exposure still have a 1 in 1,000 risk of mesothelioma, indicating unrecognized environmental asbestos exposure, due to its widespread use in the 1960s and 1970s.
The report estimates there are more than 2,100 people diagnosed with mesothelioma in the UK every year, with about 5 times as many cases in men as in women.
Read the full report.
Monday, 30 March 2009
Spodden Valley Scandal Part 2
The Video Clip Of The Spodden Valley Scandal Part 1 is further down this page
Friday, 6 March 2009
Asbestos timebomb:Outrage of dying cancer victims forced to wait for their payouts
By Andrew Penman and Nick Sommerlad 5/03/2009
Daily Mirror campaign
By Andrew Penman and Nick Sommerlad 5/03/2009
Daily Mirror campaign
These two insurance fat cats were happy to pocket the premiums.
But now faced with the enormous bill for asbestos disease payouts they are among a number of company bosses who are desperate to avoid coughing up.
Ian Willett, director of Municipal Mutual Insurance, and Ramani Ayer, chairman of the Hartford Financial Services Group, have saved their companies huge sums by dodging costs from the rising death toll.
They belong to an insurance industry which wants compensation to be triggered when a worker contracts asbestos disease - not when they first inhaled the fibres.
The trouble is, if claimants worked with asbestos in the 60s but only now are diagnosed with a related cancer, then it is highly likely their employers are no longer trading.
And a company that does not exist any more will not still have insurance cover - so no insurance company would pay up.
Four months ago, the High Court ruled against them in what became known as the "trigger" case.
Mr Justice Burton said that whoever insured the company at the time its workers were exposed to asbestos must pay compensation, even if the company itself has long since disappeared.
But the victory was short-lived as a string of insurance companies are appealing against the decision.
It means while lawyers prepare for another protracted court battle, more victims will be diagnosed with asbestosr-elated diseases and suffer terrible deaths.
Alan Ritchie of construction union UCATT blasted: "Every week 40 people die of mesothelioma. It is sickening that the insurance industry wants to block their compensation."
Just one of the insurers behind the trigger case court fight is Willett's Municipal Mutual Insurance.
Willett, who last year netted a £294,000 salary plus £43,000 in bonus and benefits, said Municipal Mutual was a special case because its clients were mainly local councils and, unlike companies, councils do not go out of business. He argued that the issue of there being no current insurance cover does not apply.
But there are unpaid victims because Municipal Mutual has not being paying asbestos compensation for six years.
Willett said that because of the time that has passed since it last issued employer liability insurance, victims diagnosed with asbestos cancer after 2003 "are not our responsibility".
In the case of Municipal Mutual, he estimates that £85million is at stake.
It could go to help asbestos victims and their grieving families.
But if the insurers win the next round in the legal battle, it will stay in the pockets of the councils and private investors who own the business.
Willett admitted during the last year's High Court hearing his bonus depended on the outcome of the case.
And he revealed that he had been paid extra in the past for saving his company money in asbestos payouts - and that potentially he would get paid more for winning the so-called "trigger" case.
Another big player in the High Court battle is Excess Insurance Company, owned by Ayer's Hartford Financial Services Group. It estimates in its latest accounts a provision for outstanding asbestos claims of £383million.
And it is not as if it cannot afford them.
It has a £9billion surplus and £8.5billion in cash and investments.
Ayer boasts on the company's website: "The Hartford is financially strong and well capitalised." He is doing nicely too - having recently made £1million on share options.
When we asked The Hartford why it was persisting in fighting the insurance battle, a spokesman said: "We don't have anything to provide at this point."
Municipal Mutual, Excess, plus Builders Accident Insurance and Independent Insurance appear determined not to pay up despite losing round one of the court battle. Ian McFall of Thompsons solicitors said: "One effect of the trigger defence is to frustrate and delay the process of obtaining compensation for people who are dying from mesothelioma and for the families of those who have died.
"It creates black holes in insurance cover.
The insurance industry knows this."
That is why the Mirror is calling for a new fund to be set up - paid for by the insurance industry - to provide compensation for all uninsured workers.
The Association of British Insurers runs a tracing scheme for workers who cannot trace the insurance policies but less than half were successful last year.
Meanwhile, uninsured workers are left to claim state handouts that are less than one third the amount they could claim on insurance. The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Occupational Safety and Health recently said the "voluntary approach is failing" and called on the Government to take urgent action and set up a fund of last resort.
The Motor Insurance Bureau already provides compensation for victims of uninsured drivers.
A new Employers Liability Insurance Bureau would provide fair and equal compensation for all workers - and would not cost the taxpayer a penny.
The ABI opposes the plan as it claims it could encourage bosses to break the law and not insure workers and because they do not want today's firms to pay for failures of the past.
But now faced with the enormous bill for asbestos disease payouts they are among a number of company bosses who are desperate to avoid coughing up.
Ian Willett, director of Municipal Mutual Insurance, and Ramani Ayer, chairman of the Hartford Financial Services Group, have saved their companies huge sums by dodging costs from the rising death toll.
They belong to an insurance industry which wants compensation to be triggered when a worker contracts asbestos disease - not when they first inhaled the fibres.
The trouble is, if claimants worked with asbestos in the 60s but only now are diagnosed with a related cancer, then it is highly likely their employers are no longer trading.
And a company that does not exist any more will not still have insurance cover - so no insurance company would pay up.
Four months ago, the High Court ruled against them in what became known as the "trigger" case.
Mr Justice Burton said that whoever insured the company at the time its workers were exposed to asbestos must pay compensation, even if the company itself has long since disappeared.
But the victory was short-lived as a string of insurance companies are appealing against the decision.
It means while lawyers prepare for another protracted court battle, more victims will be diagnosed with asbestosr-elated diseases and suffer terrible deaths.
Alan Ritchie of construction union UCATT blasted: "Every week 40 people die of mesothelioma. It is sickening that the insurance industry wants to block their compensation."
Just one of the insurers behind the trigger case court fight is Willett's Municipal Mutual Insurance.
Willett, who last year netted a £294,000 salary plus £43,000 in bonus and benefits, said Municipal Mutual was a special case because its clients were mainly local councils and, unlike companies, councils do not go out of business. He argued that the issue of there being no current insurance cover does not apply.
But there are unpaid victims because Municipal Mutual has not being paying asbestos compensation for six years.
Willett said that because of the time that has passed since it last issued employer liability insurance, victims diagnosed with asbestos cancer after 2003 "are not our responsibility".
In the case of Municipal Mutual, he estimates that £85million is at stake.
It could go to help asbestos victims and their grieving families.
But if the insurers win the next round in the legal battle, it will stay in the pockets of the councils and private investors who own the business.
Willett admitted during the last year's High Court hearing his bonus depended on the outcome of the case.
And he revealed that he had been paid extra in the past for saving his company money in asbestos payouts - and that potentially he would get paid more for winning the so-called "trigger" case.
Another big player in the High Court battle is Excess Insurance Company, owned by Ayer's Hartford Financial Services Group. It estimates in its latest accounts a provision for outstanding asbestos claims of £383million.
And it is not as if it cannot afford them.
It has a £9billion surplus and £8.5billion in cash and investments.
Ayer boasts on the company's website: "The Hartford is financially strong and well capitalised." He is doing nicely too - having recently made £1million on share options.
When we asked The Hartford why it was persisting in fighting the insurance battle, a spokesman said: "We don't have anything to provide at this point."
Municipal Mutual, Excess, plus Builders Accident Insurance and Independent Insurance appear determined not to pay up despite losing round one of the court battle. Ian McFall of Thompsons solicitors said: "One effect of the trigger defence is to frustrate and delay the process of obtaining compensation for people who are dying from mesothelioma and for the families of those who have died.
"It creates black holes in insurance cover.
The insurance industry knows this."
That is why the Mirror is calling for a new fund to be set up - paid for by the insurance industry - to provide compensation for all uninsured workers.
The Association of British Insurers runs a tracing scheme for workers who cannot trace the insurance policies but less than half were successful last year.
Meanwhile, uninsured workers are left to claim state handouts that are less than one third the amount they could claim on insurance. The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Occupational Safety and Health recently said the "voluntary approach is failing" and called on the Government to take urgent action and set up a fund of last resort.
The Motor Insurance Bureau already provides compensation for victims of uninsured drivers.
A new Employers Liability Insurance Bureau would provide fair and equal compensation for all workers - and would not cost the taxpayer a penny.
The ABI opposes the plan as it claims it could encourage bosses to break the law and not insure workers and because they do not want today's firms to pay for failures of the past.
RAMANI AYER THE HARTFORD
Job Chairman
Perks £1million profit on share options
IAN WILLETMUNICIPAL MUTUAL
Job Director
Perks £43,000 bonus on top of £294,000 salary
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