RECAP: 2024 International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma, Chicago
Last week, mesothelioma patients and their families had a unique opportunity to gather with researchers, scientists, and advocates at the International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma in Chicago to discuss treatment advances and other mesothelioma-specific issues like asbestos litigation. The law firm of Belluck & Fox was a top sponsor of this mesothelioma conference.
Community Day
The first day of the conference focused on non-medical issues pertinent to mesothelioma patients such as support groups, mental health, talking about the diagnosis with family members and friends, panels about survivorship and young patients, and the role of cannabis in quality of life.
Science Day
The second day of the conference was jam-packed between two concurrent meetings, one for patients and their families, and the other for scientists and health care providers. The patients and families meeting began with an overview of various treatment approaches. Dr. Hedy Kindler of the University of Chicago presented on chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and combination therapies, while Dr. Keith Cengel of UPenn discussed radiation therapy. Dr. Manish Patel of the University of Minnesota expanded on this conversation by comparing chemotherapy with immunotherapy.
Because mesothelioma affects the lining that surrounds the lung, but also other organs including the abdominal cavity, surgical sessions were split between pleural and peritoneal resection approaches, with a special, dual compartment presentation by Dr. Taylor Ripley of Baylor University. Dual compartment mesothelioma refers to disease that is present in both the chest and the abdomen. Dr. Jason Foster of the University of Nebraska, and Dr. Travis Grotz from the Mayo Clinic presented on peritoneal surgery and HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy). Dr. Chuong Hoang of the National Cancer Institute delved into pleural surgery.
The topic of clinical trials is substantial with over 60 opportunities to participate in an interventional experimental treatment in the United States alone. Clinical trials featuring immune checkpoint blockades, typically referred to as immunotherapy treatment, and targeted therapies were discussed by Dr. Marjorie Zauderer of the Westchester Medical Center. Dr. Melina Marmarelis of UPenn explained anti-angiogenesis and viral and neoantigen trials.
Mesothelioma diagnosis and recurrence monitoring were covered through subtopics of imaging, presented by Dr. Christopher Straus of the University of Chicago, biopsies explained expertly by Dr. Andrea Wolf of Mount Sinai, and pathology presented by Dr. Jennifer Sauter of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Sauter provided an in-depth explanation of mesothelioma pathology including the difference between epitheliod and sarcomatoid mesothelioma, and the combination of the two, called biphasic mesothelioma. Finally, Dr. Raphael Bueno from Brigham and Women’s presented some new information about mesothelioma cells that just recently came out in print. In addition to the three histology types mentioned above, he identified another cell type which he termed “uncommitted.” As he explained, this group of cells has the potential to provide an additional target for therapies.
The Science Day closed with a dynamic panel on legal issues connected to mesothelioma featuring Joe Belluck of the Belluck & Fox law firm; Kathy Farinas from the DOBS law firm; and Dawn Besserman of MRHFM.
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