MesoWatch NewsThe latest mesothelioma research, treatment advances, and asbestos news from MesoWatch.https://mesowatch.org/en-usVeterans With Mesothelioma Receive Up to $4,158 a Month Under 2026 VA Rateshttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/06/2026-va-disability-rates-mesothelioma-veterans/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/06/2026-va-disability-rates-mesothelioma-veterans/Under the 2026 VA rates, a veteran rated 100% for mesothelioma receives $3,938.58 a month alone or $4,158.17 with a spouse, a 2.8% increase.Sun, 14 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTEPA's Chrysotile Asbestos Ban Stays in Effect as the Fifth Circuit Weighs Industry Challengehttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/06/epa-chrysotile-ban-fifth-circuit-challenge-2026/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/06/epa-chrysotile-ban-fifth-circuit-challenge-2026/The EPA's 2024 chrysotile asbestos ban remains in effect as the Fifth Circuit weighs a challenge argued June 1, 2026, with a decision pending.Sun, 14 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTTalc Now Appears in About 1 in 3 US Mesothelioma Lawsuitshttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/06/talc-mesothelioma-lawsuit-share-kcic-2026/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/06/talc-mesothelioma-lawsuit-share-kcic-2026/Talc allegations appeared in about 35% of 2024 US mesothelioma lawsuits and have nearly doubled as a share of all asbestos filings since 2021, KCIC data show.Sun, 14 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTOral Alintegimod (7HP349) Trial Adds Mesothelioma to Its Cohortshttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/06/alintegimod-7hp349-mesothelioma-trial-nct06362369/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/06/alintegimod-7hp349-mesothelioma-trial-nct06362369/Phase 1b/2a trial NCT06362369 tests oral alintegimod (7HP349), an integrin activator, with ipilimumab then nivolumab. Pleural mesothelioma is one cohort.Sun, 07 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTItalian Imaging-Meso Study Maps the Mesothelioma Immune Maphttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/06/italian-mesothelioma-immune-profiling-study-nct06581549/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/06/italian-mesothelioma-immune-profiling-study-nct06581549/Imaging-Meso profiles the immune microenvironment and gene expression of pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. NCT06581549 is recruiting in Italy.Sun, 07 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTMDNA11 IL-2 Superkine Trial Includes Pleural Mesotheliomahttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/06/mdna11-il2-superkine-mesothelioma-trial-nct05086692/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/06/mdna11-il2-superkine-mesothelioma-trial-nct05086692/MDNA11, an engineered IL-2 superkine, is tested alone and with pembrolizumab in the Phase 1/2 ABILITY-1 study (NCT05086692), open to pleural mesothelioma.Sun, 07 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTRina-S Trial Adds Mesothelioma to Its Tumor Cohortshttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/06/rina-s-mesothelioma-trial-nct05579366/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/06/rina-s-mesothelioma-trial-nct05579366/Phase 1/2 trial NCT05579366 tests Rina-S, a folate receptor alpha antibody-drug conjugate from Genmab. Mesothelioma is one of its cohorts.Sun, 07 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTTNG462 Trial: PRMT5 Inhibitor for MTAP-Deleted Mesotheliomahttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/06/tng462-mesothelioma-trial-nct05732831/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/06/tng462-mesothelioma-trial-nct05732831/Phase 1/2 trial (NCT05732831) of TNG462, an oral PRMT5 inhibitor, for MTAP-deleted solid tumors. Mesothelioma is an expansion cohort. Now recruiting.Sun, 07 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTSTEALTH-001 Trial Tests VET3-TGI Oncolytic Virus in Solid Tumorshttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/06/vet3-tgi-atezolizumab-stealth-001-trial-nct06444815/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/06/vet3-tgi-atezolizumab-stealth-001-trial-nct06444815/KaliVir's STEALTH-001 trial (NCT06444815) tests the oncolytic virus VET3-TGI alone and with atezolizumab in advanced solid tumors, mesothelioma among them.Sun, 07 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTVT3989 TEAD Inhibitor Trial Opens to Mesothelioma Patientshttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/06/vt3989-tead-inhibitor-mesothelioma-trial-nct04665206/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/06/vt3989-tead-inhibitor-mesothelioma-trial-nct04665206/VT3989, a first-in-class YAP/TEAD inhibitor from Vivace Therapeutics, is being tested in a Phase I/II mesothelioma trial (NCT04665206).Sun, 07 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTMemorial Day 2026: Mesothelioma Still Isn't a VA Presumptive Diseasehttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/05/memorial-day-2026-mesothelioma-va-presumptive-pact-act/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/05/memorial-day-2026-mesothelioma-va-presumptive-pact-act/Mesothelioma wasn't added to the VA presumptive list under the 2022 PACT Act. Most asbestos-exposed veterans still file under direct service connection.Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTCPSC Recalled 121,340 Orb Funkee Toys and Tested No Other US Brandhttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/05/orb-funkee-cpsc-asbestos-recall-2026/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/05/orb-funkee-cpsc-asbestos-recall-2026/CPSC pulled 121,340 Orb Funkee toys for tremolite asbestos on May 21, 2026. It still hasn't tested the other craft-sand brands on US shelves.Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTNew York Jury Awards $25M in American Biltrite Asbestos Tile Casehttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/05/american-biltrite-25-million-asbestos-tile-mesothelioma-verdict/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/05/american-biltrite-25-million-asbestos-tile-mesothelioma-verdict/A New York jury awarded $25 million, including $5 million in punitive damages, to a flooring installer who developed mesothelioma from asbestos floor tiles.Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTNCI Registry Tracks 1,000 Mesothelioma Patients and Families With BAP1 Mutations (NCT03830229)https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/05/nci-bap1-germline-mesothelioma-registry-nct03830229/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/05/nci-bap1-germline-mesothelioma-registry-nct03830229/An NCI long-term registry follows people with mesothelioma and their relatives carrying germline BAP1 mutations. 1,000-person target. Bethesda. Open enrollment.Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTFormer South African Asbestos Miners Face Higher Mortality, UCT Study Findshttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/05/south-african-asbestos-miners-mortality-uct-study/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/05/south-african-asbestos-miners-mortality-uct-study/A UCT study of 11,343 former South African asbestos miners found women had 17% higher mortality than expected. Lung function predicted survival.Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT3D Mesothelioma Spheroids Reveal Why Chemo Often Failshttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/05/spheroid-chemoresistance-pleural-mesothelioma-3d-model/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/05/spheroid-chemoresistance-pleural-mesothelioma-3d-model/An Australian team built a 3D mesothelioma spheroid model that mimics tumor resistance to chemo. PI3K/AKT and Notch signaling drive the resistance.Mon, 04 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTGeorgia-Pacific Plans New Bankruptcy, Abandoning Bestwallhttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/05/georgia-pacific-bestwall-bankruptcy-pivot/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/05/georgia-pacific-bestwall-bankruptcy-pivot/Georgia-Pacific has "given up" on its Bestwall bankruptcy and plans a new Chapter 11 to resolve asbestos lawsuits, the Wall Street Journal reports.Sun, 03 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTECOG Performance Status and Other Prognostic Factors in Mesothelioma: What the Numbers Mean for Your Optionshttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/ecog-performance-status-prognostic-factors-mesothelioma/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/ecog-performance-status-prognostic-factors-mesothelioma/ECOG, CALGB, EORTC, and the Brims model translate clinical reality into trial eligibility and prognosis. Here is what each score actually measures.Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTHIPEC and Cytoreductive Surgery for Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Who Qualifies and What to Expecthttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/hipec-cytoreductive-surgery-peritoneal-mesothelioma-decision-guide/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/hipec-cytoreductive-surgery-peritoneal-mesothelioma-decision-guide/Cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC has changed peritoneal mesothelioma outcomes. Who qualifies, what the published data show, and what recovery involves.Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTMesothelioma Clinical Trial Enrollment: A Practical Guide to Finding, Decoding, and Joining a Trialhttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/mesothelioma-clinical-trial-enrollment-guide/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/mesothelioma-clinical-trial-enrollment-guide/How to find a mesothelioma clinical trial, read the listing, decode the eligibility criteria, and understand what enrolling actually involves.Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTFirst-Line Mesothelioma Treatment in 2026: How to Choose Between Nivolumab+Ipilimumab and Pembrolizumab+Chemohttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/mesothelioma-first-line-treatment-2026-decision-guide/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/mesothelioma-first-line-treatment-2026-decision-guide/Two immunotherapy regimens are now first-line for unresectable pleural mesothelioma. Here is what each trial showed and how the decision is framed.Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTSecond-Line Mesothelioma Treatment: When First-Line Stops Working, What Comes Nexthttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/mesothelioma-second-line-treatment-after-progression-guide/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/mesothelioma-second-line-treatment-after-progression-guide/When first-line mesothelioma treatment fails, the next decision is rarely between two clear options. Here is what the primary trial evidence supports.Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTMesothelioma Survival Rates by Stage and Histology: What the Trial Data Actually Showhttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/mesothelioma-survival-rates-by-stage-and-histology/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/mesothelioma-survival-rates-by-stage-and-histology/Mesothelioma survival numbers by stage and histology from SEER, IASLC, and modern trial data. What the statistics mean, and what they leave out.Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTPleurectomy/Decortication vs Extrapleural Pneumonectomy: How Mesothelioma Surgery Decisions Are Madehttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/pleurectomy-decortication-vs-epp-mesothelioma-surgery-decision/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/pleurectomy-decortication-vs-epp-mesothelioma-surgery-decision/Two operations dominate the mesothelioma surgical conversation. Here is what the trials, the meta-analyses, and the high-volume centers actually say.Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTStage 1 Pleural Mesothelioma: Operable Disease and the Multimodal Treatment Windowhttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/stage-1-pleural-mesothelioma-operable-multimodal-treatment/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/stage-1-pleural-mesothelioma-operable-multimodal-treatment/For someone newly told their pleural mesothelioma is stage 1: what the AJCC criteria mean and how multimodal therapy is sequenced around surgery.Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTStage 2 Pleural Mesothelioma: Borderline-Operable Disease and the Induction-Therapy Decisionhttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/stage-2-pleural-mesothelioma-borderline-induction-therapy/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/stage-2-pleural-mesothelioma-borderline-induction-therapy/Stage 2 pleural mesothelioma sits at the borderline of operable disease. Here is what the AJCC criteria mean and how the induction-therapy decision is framed.Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTStage 3 Pleural Mesothelioma: Inoperable Disease, Immunotherapy, and the Active Trial Landscapehttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/stage-3-pleural-mesothelioma-inoperable-immunotherapy-trials/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/stage-3-pleural-mesothelioma-inoperable-immunotherapy-trials/Stage III pleural mesothelioma in 2026: what AJCC IIIA and IIIB mean, why most cases are inoperable, and the immunotherapy and trial options.Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTMesothelioma Chest Pain: How It Differs from Cardiac, Pleural, and Muscular Causeshttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/mesothelioma-chest-pain-clinical-differential/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/mesothelioma-chest-pain-clinical-differential/Mesothelioma chest pain is usually dull, lateralized, and persistent. How it differs from cardiac, pleural, and chest wall causes.Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTMesothelioma Early Warning Signs: What to Notice 20 to 50 Years After Asbestos Exposurehttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/mesothelioma-early-warning-signs-latency-period/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/mesothelioma-early-warning-signs-latency-period/Mesothelioma takes decades to surface after asbestos exposure. The earliest signs are quiet. Here is what the primary clinical literature documents.Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTThe Mesothelioma Symptom Timeline: From Latency to Late-Stage Progressionhttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/mesothelioma-symptom-timeline-latency-to-late-stage/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/mesothelioma-symptom-timeline-latency-to-late-stage/Mesothelioma unfolds over decades. Here is the chronological arc the primary clinical literature documents, from asbestos exposure to late-stage disease.Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTPleural Effusion in Mesothelioma: Drainage, Recurrence, and What It Means for Prognosishttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/pleural-effusion-mesothelioma-drainage-recurrence/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/pleural-effusion-mesothelioma-drainage-recurrence/Most people with pleural mesothelioma present with fluid in the chest. What the clinical literature says about drainage, recurrence, and prognosis.Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTStage 4 Mesothelioma: What to Expect and How Late-Stage Symptoms Are Managedhttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/stage-4-mesothelioma-late-stage-symptom-management/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/stage-4-mesothelioma-late-stage-symptom-management/Clinical guide for families with someone in stage 4 mesothelioma: what AJCC staging means, what symptoms to expect, and how oncology teams manage them.Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTADAO Sues EPA Over Missed Legacy Asbestos Rule Deadlinehttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/adao-epa-lawsuit-legacy-asbestos-rule/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/adao-epa-lawsuit-legacy-asbestos-rule/ADAO filed a federal lawsuit in April 2026 to compel EPA to propose a risk management rule for legacy asbestos. EPA missed a December 3, 2025 deadline.Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTTwo Chemo-Combo Trials, Two Very Different Signalshttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/chemo-combo-trial-readouts-mesothelioma-q2-2026/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/chemo-combo-trial-readouts-mesothelioma-q2-2026/DREAM3R stopped early and produced inconclusive data. BNT327 showed a 52% response rate in a small Phase 2. What each readout actually tells patients.Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTFDA Grants Orphan Drug Status to Orion's ODM-212https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/orion-odm-212-fda-orphan-drug-mesothelioma/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/orion-odm-212-fda-orphan-drug-mesothelioma/FDA grants orphan drug designation to Orion Pharma's ODM-212, an oral pan-TEAD inhibitor for mesothelioma, on April 20, 2026.Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTV Foundation Awards $1 Million Grant to UH Cancer Center for BAP1 Mesothelioma Researchhttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/v-foundation-grant-uh-cancer-center-mesothelioma/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/v-foundation-grant-uh-cancer-center-mesothelioma/V Foundation awards UH Cancer Center $1 million to fund a five-year study of mesothelioma in BAP1 gene mutation carriers, led by Carbone and Yang.Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTAsbestos Trust Funds for Louisiana Workershttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/louisiana-asbestos-trust-funds-workers/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/louisiana-asbestos-trust-funds-workers/How Louisiana shipyard, refinery, and longshore workers file asbestos trust claims. Key trusts for Avondale and Mississippi River corridor exposure.Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTLouisiana Mesothelioma Verdicts and Settlements: Chemical Corridor, Take-Home, and the Virile Sharehttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/louisiana-mesothelioma-verdicts-settlements-2026/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/louisiana-mesothelioma-verdicts-settlements-2026/Verified Louisiana mesothelioma verdicts: the $36.7M Walker case (affirmed at $35.75M), Pete v. Boland Marine, and a two-year prescriptive period under Act 423.Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTLouisiana Mesothelioma by the Numbers: Avondale, Refineries, and a One Year Deadlinehttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/louisiana-mesothelioma-statistics-2026/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/louisiana-mesothelioma-statistics-2026/Louisiana ranks among 7 states with female mesothelioma death rates above 6.0 per million. Avondale, refineries, and a one year filing window.Sun, 19 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTAsbestos Trust Funds for New Jersey Workershttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/new-jersey-asbestos-trust-funds-workers/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/new-jersey-asbestos-trust-funds-workers/How New Jersey shipyard, refinery, and Manville plant workers can file asbestos trust fund claims. Johns-Manville, W.R. Grace, and related trusts.Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTNew Jersey Mesothelioma Verdicts and Settlementshttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/new-jersey-mesothelioma-verdicts-settlements-2026/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/new-jersey-mesothelioma-verdicts-settlements-2026/Key New Jersey mesothelioma cases including Lanzo v. J&J, Barden v. J&J (reversed 2023), and Fowler v. Union Carbide ($2.38M, reinstated 2022).Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTKroger, Contractor Pay $108K for Asbestos in Open Taylorville Storehttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/kroger-ssi-taylorville-asbestos-settlement-illinois/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/kroger-ssi-taylorville-asbestos-settlement-illinois/Kroger and contractor SSI Services pay $108K to Illinois AG after leaving chipped asbestos floor tiles in public areas of an open Taylorville store.Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTNew Jersey Mesothelioma by the Numbers: Shipyards, Refineries, and a Century of Exposurehttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/new-jersey-mesothelioma-statistics-2026/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/new-jersey-mesothelioma-statistics-2026/New Jersey mesothelioma data: 114 diagnoses in 2021, 2,037 deaths 1999-2017, age-adjusted rate of 1.0 per 100,000. CDC and state court data.Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTAsbestos Trust Funds for Washington Workershttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/washington-asbestos-trust-funds-workers/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/washington-asbestos-trust-funds-workers/How Washington shipyard, paper mill, aluminum, and construction workers can file asbestos trust fund claims. Key trusts and process.Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTWisconsin Supreme Court Upholds $26.5M Pabst Asbestos Verdicthttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/wisconsin-supreme-court-pabst-asbestos-verdict-lorbiecki/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/wisconsin-supreme-court-pabst-asbestos-verdict-lorbiecki/Wisconsin Supreme Court affirms $26.5M verdict against Pabst for steamfitter Jerry Lorbiecki's mesothelioma death, rejecting its contractor defense.Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTWashington Mesothelioma Verdicts and Settlementshttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/washington-mesothelioma-verdicts-settlements/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/washington-mesothelioma-verdicts-settlements/Washington mesothelioma outcomes: $13.5M Longview Fibre paper mill verdict, $16.2M Kotzerke default judgment, Budd v. Kaiser Gypsum, and 2025 appellate rulings.Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTShipyards, Paper Mills, and Vermiculite: Washington Mesothelioma by the Numbershttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/washington-mesothelioma-statistics/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/washington-mesothelioma-statistics/Washington mesothelioma: 0.9 per 100K incidence (USCS 2021), top-two state death rate 1999-2015 (CDC MMWR), Puget Sound shipyards to Spokane vermiculite.Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTAsbestos Trust Funds for Alabama Workershttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/alabama-asbestos-trust-funds-workers/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/alabama-asbestos-trust-funds-workers/Alabama industrial history, state appellate precedent, and national 524(g) trusts that compensate Alabama workers exposed to asbestos.Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTAsbestos Trust Funds for California Workershttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/california-asbestos-trust-funds-workers/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/california-asbestos-trust-funds-workers/How California shipyard workers, refinery workers, and construction tradespeople can file asbestos trust fund claims. Key trusts and filing process.Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTAsbestos Trust Funds for Florida Workershttps://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/florida-asbestos-trust-funds-workers/https://mesowatch.org/news/2026/04/florida-asbestos-trust-funds-workers/How Florida shipyard workers, military base personnel, and construction workers can file asbestos trust fund claims. Key trusts and process.Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT