Mesothelioma Study Provides Reason for More Research

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that most commonly develops in the lining of the lungs (pleura). However, other areas of the body that have also been known to contract the disease include the lining of the heart (pericardium) and abdomen (peritoneum).

Due to the latency period that is associated with the disease, most cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed during the advanced stages of development. As a result, mesothelioma treatment options are often limited because the disease is typically unresponsive to surgical intervention and radiotherapy.

Chemotherapy and other alternative therapies such as gene therapy, immunotherapy, and photodynamic therapy are the main therapeutic options for mesothelioma patients. Unfortunately though, many of the treatments that doctors recommend are palliative rather that curative since the disease is usually diagnosed in a late stage of development.

A new study, titled Molecular Targets and Targeted Therapies for Malignant Mesothelioma, shows the hope and continued need for mesothelioma research. Even with the benefits and knowledge obtained from the study, the prognosis for malignant mesothelioma patients remains poor. In fact, the median survival rate is still less than two years, which is why more active treatments are urgently needed.

Nonetheless, the study did find encouragement while evaluating inhibitors of growth factor receptors as a new potential therapeutic option for mesothelioma patients. In addition, the inhibitors targeting vascular endothelial growth factors were of particular interest because of their involvement in mesothelioma cell growth.

According to C. Palumbo of Tor Vergata Univeristy and the Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences in Rome, Italy, “A recombinant immunotoxin targeted to the membrane antigen mesothelin is an additional agent whose activity is being evaluated in mesothelioma patients.”

C. Palumbo, who conducted the study, believes much more can be done concerning the research of growth factor receptors and the design of an effective mesothelioma treatment. He urges researchers to continue seeking other therapeutic options and interventions against mesothelioma.

This entry was posted on Friday, November 21st, 2008 at 3:10 pm and is filed under Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Treatment. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed. Responses are currently closed, but you trackback from your own site.