Joe Belluck
Hopefully, research and clinical trials like this will one day lead to a breakthrough for mesothelioma patients across the country and around the world.
New York, NY (PRWEB) May 21, 2014
Belluck & Fox, a New York law firm that represents patients with mesothelioma, has learned that a promising new drug to treat pleural mesothelioma has been approved for further clinical trials.
According to a new study, the drug—currently known as VS-4718—appears to slow the growth of tumors caused by pleural mesothelioma, the most common form of the disease. Cell samples taken from patients show that VS-4718 weakens mesothelioma cancer cells’ ability to stick to tissue structures they need to survive.
In addition, the drug appears to work best against tumors that lack the protein Merlin, which the body produces to fight tumors. It also killed cancerous stem cells.
“Currently, there is no cure for mesothelioma," said New York attorney Joe Belluck. “Hopefully, research and clinical trials like this will one day lead to a breakthrough for mesothelioma patients across the country and around the world.”
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that attacks the linings of chest and abdominal organs. The only known cause for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos.
VS-4718 is being developed at Verastem, a biopharmaceutical firm in Cambridge, MA, by a group of researchers led by Irina M. Shapiro, PhD, a Senior Scientist with the company.
Full results of the Verastem study will be made available Wednesday, May 21, at 2:00 PM Eastern Time through the journal Science Translational Medicine. Interested parties can access an abstract through this link.
About Belluck & Fox
The New York mesothelioma law firm of Belluck & Fox, LLP represents victims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, as well as individuals with claims related to other mass torts, motorcycle crashes, lead paint, and other serious injuries. Their attorneys have won more than $500 million in compensation for clients and their families. Belluck & Fox has been listed among US News and World Reports’ Top Law Firms in America for three straight years.
Partner Jordan Fox was named the 2013 Plaintiff’s Lawyer of the Year in New York City Mass Tort Litigation by The Best Lawyers in America® (Copyright 2012 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC). Mr. Fox has been listed among the Best Lawyers in America since 2006, and his verdicts have appeared within the National Law Journal’s Top Verdicts of the Year lists multiple times.
Partner Joseph W. Belluck has an AV® Peer Review Rating™ from Martindale-Hubbell® — the highest rating possible that indicates both legal excellence and ethical integrity — and is listed among the “Best Lawyers in the New York Area” and the “Best Lawyers in America.” He has won numerous cases involving injuries from asbestos, defective medical products, tobacco and lead paint.
For more information about the firm, please use its online contact form or call 877-MESOTHELIOMA (877-637-6843)