The days and weeks between developing symptoms of malignant mesothelioma and getting a firm diagnosis can be incredibly stressful. Faced with the possibility of a terminal disease, patients must go through blood tests, imaging scans, and biopsies to be sure of what they’re dealing with, and to learn how advanced their disease is. But new research conducted by Chinese scientists may speed the process up, as researchers believe they’ve identified several molecules in the blood of mesothelioma patients that are not present in patients without the asbestos-related disease.
Lipids May Be a Valuable Diagnostic Tool for Identifying Mesothelioma
Though combining a history of exposure to asbestos with telltale symptoms often leads physicians to think a patient has mesothelioma, it’s important to be sure that the diagnosis is right before moving forward with treatment. But the various tests required are time-consuming, invasive, and expensive.
Following recent discoveries regarding lipids’ role in the formation of tumors, researchers from The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Science set out to determine whether any specific lipids were present in the blood of mesothelioma patients that are not present in healthy individuals. They found five that were at significantly higher levels in patients with the rare form of cancer, and dozens that were lower.
Mesothelioma Researchers Find Diagnostic and Prognostic Value to Lipid Tests
In analyzing plasma samples from 25 patients diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and 32 healthy individuals, the researchers concluded that lipid testing has both diagnostic and prognostic value, with six specific lipids being particularly important. They also noted that the presence of two additional molecules seemed to indicate poorer prognosis.
Writing of their findings, lead investigator Zhongjian Chen noted, “Our study revealed differentially expressed lipid patterns in malignant mesothelioma … Ceramides showed outstanding diagnostic performance, while TG [triglycerides] and Hex1Cer [monohexosylceramide] exhibited significant prognostic values.”
With so many challenges facing those at risk for malignant mesothelioma, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net work hard to make sure we have the resources you need. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more about how we can help.
