MesoTV Podcast: Conversations Impacting the Mesothelioma Community – Details, episodes & analysis

Melina Marmarelis, MD, Thoracic Medical Oncologist, UPenn joins us for an interview about precision medicine. She discusses biomarker information, such as histology (currently most valuable), but also molecular testing such as NF2, MTAP, CDKN2A mutations that can be used when determining precision medicine treatments. Other topics discussed are BAP1 mutations, PDL1 expression, mutational burden, and oncolytic viruses. The interview is moderated by Julie White, BSN, OCN, RN who is the patient services director at the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. More information is available at curemeso.org.

Michael Offin, MD, MSKCC, joins us for an informative session about chemotherapy drugs, their uses, side effects, and supportive medications.

In this episode, we are joined by two patients who recently received a mesothelioma diagnosis. They discuss their initial shock to hear the word "mesothelioma" and their subsequent efforts to find specialists experienced in treating their cancer.

We are joined by a panel of radiation oncologists who specialize in mesothelioma: - Charles B. Simone, II, MD, FACRO, Research Professor, Chief Medical Officer, New York Proton Center - Andreas Rimner, MD, Director of Thoracic Radiation Oncology Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center - Kenneth Rosenzweig, MD, Professor and Chairman, Department of Radiation Oncology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York They join us to discuss radiation therapy for the treatment of mesothelioma. Some areas discussed include: • Difference/similarities between photon, proton, external beam, IMRT, stereotactic body radiation • The palliative effect of radiation therapy • The side effects of radiation therapy and the different treatment options available • The feasibility of radiation therapy for pleural mesothelioma vs. peritoneal mesothelioma • The overview of a typical radiation procedure

Dr. Hedy Kindler of the University of Chicago Medicine joins us to discuss precision medicine and targeted therapies for the treatment of mesothelioma. Dr. Kindler explains the mechanisms of action for several molecular pathways associated with tumor growth and/or inhibition. She also discusses three specific therapeutic options available through clinical trials like CPI-0209 and olaparib (PARP inhibitors) targeted at the BAP1 tumor mutation; and the VT3989 targeting the NF2 pathway. While these treatment options are still in early clinical trial phases, they target specific known tumor mutations, which makes them more precise than traditional chemotherapy treatment.

A complete blood count test, best known as the CBC, is a tool used by physicians to determine some basic information about their patient's health. Learn more about what each value means in relation to the patient's health and treatment. In this interview we are joined by Buerkley Opalecky, MSN, RN, Ambulatory Oncology Clinical Nurse Educator, University of Chicago. Leading the interview is Shannon Sinclair, RN, BSN, OCN who is the on-staff mesothelioma expert at the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation.

We are joined by Dr. Aaron Mansfield of the Mayo Clinic to discuss a new, now enrolling, clinical trial for peritoneal mesothelioma that randomizes patients into two arms: an arm that receives chemotherapy + bevacizumab, and an arm that receives chemotherapy, bevacizumab and immunotherapy.

[PLEASE FORGIVE OUR PET-CAUSED AUDIO ISSUES IN THE BEGINNING OF THE VIDEO] Shannon Sinclair, RN, OCN, the director of patient services of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, interviews Joanna Myers Casale, RD, CSO. Joanna Myers Casale, RD, CSO is a registered dietitian at the MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper in Camden, NJ. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Dietetics & Nutrition from the University of Pittsburgh where she graduated magna cum laude. Joanna is a board certified specialist in oncology nutrition by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

Dr. Raffit Hassan of the National Cancer Institute joins us for a conversation about his study called "Tissue Procurement and Natural History Study of Patients With Malignant Mesothelioma" that collects information from mesothelioma patients and their families in order to study their disease and risk for other cancers. Dr. Hassan looks to answer certain questions such as "why do certain patients do better than others?"

We are joined by Suellen Crano, a 21-year peritoneal mesothelioma survivor, who shares her story from the early stages of diagnosis and beyond. Suellen was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2001 after several years of seeking a diagnosis. While not typical in many ways, Suellen's journey includes going from feeling alone, and not knowing any other patients for years, to finding a supportive community of patients and family members.