Silicosis and the Quartz Industry: A New Chapter or a Temporary Fix?

In September 2025, Business of Home published a sobering look at the artificial stone industry’s reckoning with accelerated silicosis—a deadly lung disease caused by inhaling nano-sized particles of crystalline silica and other toxins in traditional artificial stone. The article, “Is low-silica stone the path forward for the quartz industry?” spotlights the aftermath of a landmark $52 million verdict awarded to Gustavo Reyes Gonzalez, a 34-year-old artificial stone fabricator who required a double lung transplant after years of exposure to toxic crystalline silica and other toxins in artificial stone.

A Shift in Materials—But Is It Enough?

Following the Reyes Gonzalez case and Australia’s nationwide ban on artificial stone, major manufacturers like Caesarstone and Cosentino have introduced “low-“ and so-called “zero-silica” alternatives. According to their advertising, Caesarstone’s new “Icon” line contains less than 1% crystalline silica, while Cosentino’s Q0 surface boasts recycled content and claimed minimal silica levels.

As of this week, California’s Department of Public Health has recorded 391 silicosis cases and 22 deaths linked to artificial stone in California alone. The median age of diagnosis is just 46. These are not isolated incidents—they are a public health crisis.

Amivantamab Shows Preclinical Immune-Mediated Activity in Mesothelioma

Diagram showing lung anatomy with labels: parietal pleural, visceral pleural, pleura space, asbestos fibers, and plaque forming in pleura, illustrating pleural mesothelioma developing in the lung lining. Information is based on guidelines from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and highlights the importance of multimodal treatment options for managing pleural mesothelioma.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2026 Expert Consensus on the Multimodal Treatment of Pleural Mesothelioma

July 17, 2026

Lung tissue images with varying nodule presence, grouped by genotype, provide valuable insights for silicosis research. Graphs below show nodule counts, area, and cellularity for Sftpc, Scgb1, and related cross genotypes—with data points and error bars—highlighting differences in airway cells during silicosis progression.

New Research Identifies Airway Cells as a Critical Driver of Silicosis Progression

July 14, 2026

July 15, 2026

Targeting EGFR and MET in Mesothelioma

Researchers investigated amivantamab, an antibody that targets two proteins known as EGFR and MET. These proteins help regulate cell growth and survival and have been found to be frequently expressed in mesothelioma cells. The study demonstrated that EGFR and MET are often co-expressed in diffuse pleural mesothelioma, making them attractive targets for a dual-targeted treatment approach.

Activating Immune Cells to Fight Tumors

Laboratory experiments showed that amivantamab was able to bind selectively to mesothelioma cells, block EGFR and MET signaling, and promote internalization of these receptors. Importantly, the treatment also activated the immune system by enhancing natural killer (NK) cell-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, a process where immune cells recognize and destroy cancer cells. Researchers observed a dose-dependent increase in tumor-cell killing when NK cells were present.

Preclinical Findings Support Further Mesothelioma Research

The findings were further supported in patient-derived xenograft models, where the combination of amivantamab and human NK cells significantly reduced tumor growth without causing overt toxicity. These results suggest that dual EGFR/MET targeting may offer a novel way to attack mesothelioma through both direct inhibition of cancer-cell signaling and activation of the body’s immune defenses.

While these findings are still early and additional studies are necessary before the treatment can be used in patients, the research provides an encouraging foundation for future clinical trials. For individuals affected by mesothelioma, advances such as these highlight the continued effort to develop more effective and personalized treatment options.

Diagnosed With Mesothelioma After Asbestos Exposure?

A mesothelioma diagnosis can leave families searching for answers about both treatment options and the source of their asbestos exposure. While research continues to explore promising therapies, individuals harmed by asbestos exposure may have legal rights.

Brayton Purcell LLP has spent decades representing mesothelioma patients and their families. Our legal team can help identify potential exposure sources, investigate responsible parties, and explain available options for pursuing compensation.

Contact Brayton Purcell LLP today for a free consultation and confidential case evaluation.

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Source:

https://oncodaily.com/oncolibrary/lung-oncology/amivantamab-mesothelioma

FAQs

1What is amivantamab?

Amivantamab is a bispecific antibody that targets both EGFR and MET, two proteins involved in cellular growth and survival. Researchers are studying whether dual targeting may help slow mesothelioma growth while enhancing immune-mediated cancer-cell destruction.

2Is amivantamab approved for mesothelioma treatment?

The findings discussed in this article come from preclinical research. Additional studies and clinical trials are needed before amivantamab can be considered an established treatment option for mesothelioma patients.

3Why is dual EGFR and MET targeting important?

Researchers found that EGFR and MET are frequently co-expressed in diffuse pleural mesothelioma. Targeting both pathways simultaneously may provide a more effective strategy than focusing on a single pathway alone.