Category Archives: Asbestos

mid atlantic conference

The Science & Medicine of Genetic Testing in Asbestos and Talc Cases

As we have written over the past few years, expert testimony involving genetic findings is becoming more and more common in asbestos litigation. As we wrote previously, on Wednesday, July 17 (2019) Dr. Len van Zyl of ToxicoGenomica presented at the Perrin Mid-Atlantic Asbestos Conference where he discussed important new emerging science relevant to the […]

conference

The Time for Genomic Analyses in Asbestos Cases is Now

Expert testimony involving genetic findings is more and more common in asbestos litigation. Recent studies published in the peer-reviewed scientific literature have evaluated a variety of genetic factors (e.g., inherited genetic mutations, micro-RNA, gene expression profiles, and epigenetic factors) in people with and without asbestos exposure. Investigators have found evidence to support the fact that […]

DNA

Why Do BAP1 Mutations Cause Mesothelioma?

Mechanistic understanding of cancers continues to accelerate, with important implications for tort litigation. A recent new study by He et al. (2019) provides new insights into how and why germline BAP1 mutations are involved in the development of some cancers, such as mesothelioma, but not others. The new insights are about tissue specific actions of […]

Expert Planning Meeting for National Mesothelioma Patient Registry – March 26, 2019 in Bethesda

At long last, plans are moving forward to establish a national mesothelioma patient registry in the United States. A key meeting of experts planning the registry will be held on Tuesday March 26, 2019  in Bethesda. The meeting will include panel presentations by mesothelioma experts from CDC and NIOSH, and will include a substantial opportunity for […]

journal of clinical oncology

New Evidence of Genetic Drivers for Mesothelioma In Persons With No Known Asbestos Exposure

A recently published article authored by Drs. Michele Carbone, Haining Yang, and Harvey Pass (among others) is relevant to asbestos and talc defendants because it provides additional data supporting the conclusion that inherited genetic variations cause mesothelioma in some persons without any known exposure to asbestos. Most notably for asbestos and talc litigants, 57 out […]

DNA

New Developments in Genetic Knowledge for Defendants in Asbestos Cases (On Demand Webinar)

The use of genomic evidence in cancer cases is now commonplace, including both talc and traditional asbestos cases. However, the list of relevant genes goes far beyond BAP1 or any other single gene mutation. On Tuesday, October 30, 2018, ToxicoGenomica offered a complimentary webinar educating defense attorneys on the use of genomics in toxic tort […]

Genetic testing concept, DNA icon, medical doctor, isolated on white

Courtroom Implications of New Paper On Germline (Inherited) Mutations Associated with Mesotheliomas (and Perhaps Ovarian Cancers)

This is our second comment on a very recent paper (Panou 2018) reporting findings from a study looking for germline (inherited) variants (mutations) in persons afflicted by mesotheliomas. The paper reported results from a custom gene panel analysis of 195 genes associated with cancers to study a cohort of 198 persons, mainly persons who were […]

Scientist looking at DNA

New Paper Identifies Several New Inherited Genetic Mutations in Mesothelioma Patients, Creating New Opportunities and Risks for Litigants

Some scientific findings provide both opportunities and risks for litigants in mass tort cases. The point is highlighted by a new paper by Panou and colleagues published in mid- August in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The paper concludes that a significant proportion of patients with malignant mesotheliomas carry inherited (germline) mutations in cancer-associated genes, […]

Scientist looking at DNA

The Meso Gene [Download ACI Presentations]

The ongoing revolution in genomic science is having an impact on many facets of modern life, including toxic tort litigation. This point was apparent at the recently held American Conference Institute’s 23rd National Forum on Asbestos Claims & Litigation (May 21-23, 2018) in Chicago, where we presented in a session titled “The Meso Gene.” In […]

Litigators Guide to a Genomic Defense

The Litigator’s Guide to Using Genomics in a Toxic Tort Case

Genomics is a proven and reliable quantitative tool that has dramatically improved cancer treatment, established the practice of personalized medicine, and brought binary clarity to paternity and criminal cases. Genomics is now transforming how civil toxic tort cases are adjudicated. We have hit a tipping point where, instead of merely relying on population-based epidemiological studies, […]