When the News Hits Close to Home

When the News Hits Close to Home

The three publications that I work on – American Pharmaceutical Review, Pharmaceutical Outsourcing and Tablets&Capsules all consume a lot of news. We post daily news to all three websites and feature the news in our eNewsletters.

I get a lot of news items delivered to my inbox – and part of what I do is go through all the ”news” to select what is appropriate for each website. While this might sound tedious, it’s beneficial. I get to keep up with the latest news and perhaps learn a thing or two.

A lot of the news is your typical M&A stuff, personnel comings and goings, and drug approvals/withdrawals.

But, sometimes, the news hits closer to home.

Back in 2005, my father-in-law was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma. If you are not familiar with this disease this description is taken directly from the news release:

Malignant mesothelioma is a type of cancer that starts in the lining of certain parts of the body, including the chest, abdomen, heart, and testicles. Worldwide, it is estimated there were more than 30,000 new cases of mesothelioma diagnosed and more than 25,000 deaths from the disease in 2022. Although the incidence of malignant mesothelioma has gradually declined in the U.S., continued use of and exposure to asbestos around the world has resulted in increasing global rates of this aggressive disease. Pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lining of the lungs, is the most common form of malignant mesothelioma, accounting for about 75% of all cases. Malignant pleural mesothelioma often progresses rapidly, and the five-year survival rate is only 12%.

At the time of his diagnosis, he had recently retired as an editor at a publisher of children’s books. So, there wasn’t much chance he was exposed to asbestos during that time. But looking back further, he was a Marine, and had spent time on board ships that used asbestos for insulation, he had also spent time in his father’s machine shop – where he probably had been exposed there as well. No matter, at the time there were few treatment options. Luckily, we found a doctor/surgeon who had decided to devote his practice to mesothelioma. Through a combination of extensive surgery, chemo, and radiation he survived another ten years. Handily, beating the five-year survival rate.

So, sitting at my desk, reviewing news in late May of 2024, I was pleasantly surprised to see a news item with the headline: FDA Grants Priority Review to Merck’s Application for KEYTRUDA^® (pembrolizumab) Plus Chemotherapy as First-Line Treatment of Patients With Unresectable Advanced or Metastatic Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma.

This is encouraging for two reasons. First, there is an effective new treatment on the horizon for mesothelioma. Second, even with declining incidences of the disease, research and development into treatments continue to be done.

On a personal level, I’m hoping this application sails through the approval process. As a lover of all things related to sailboats – I think my father-in-law would be happy.

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