Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive, fatal form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. The disease has presented several significant challenges to the medical community, including its resemblance to other, more benign conditions and difficulties in accurately and quickly diagnosing it. Now, researchers from China have published a study identifying a valuable diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for the rare malignancy.
Researchers Describe Mesothelioma’s Complex Diagnosis and Poor Prognosis
Writing in the British Journal of Cancer, researchers from a group of hospitals in Nanjing, China, describe their quest for an efficient and accurate diagnostic and prognostic marker for malignant mesothelioma, a disease that they describe as “an insidious malignancy with a complex diagnosis and a poor prognosis.” They studied GFPT2, or Glutamine-Fructose-6-Phosphate Transaminase 2 to assess its usefulness as a biomarker for rare cancer.
The researchers used tissue samples and previously collected data to investigate GFPT2 in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Their study determined that it has a remarkable sensitivity of 92.60% in diagnosing malignant mesothelioma and that where it is overexpressed, patients have an unfavorable prognosis. Their research confirmed that elevated GFPT2 levels drive “malignant proliferation, invasiveness, and metastasis in mesothelioma” and that, at the molecular level, it augments a chemical reaction that increases both inflammation and cancer development.
Chinese Scientists Conclude that Mesothelioma Biomarker Represents Step Forward
The researchers conclude that GFPT2 offers “a new horizon for identification and treatment strategies in mesothelioma management.” It represents a distinctive biomarker for both diagnosis and prognosis of patient outcomes and an innovative therapeutic target for future research.
Biomarkers are invaluable tools in mesothelioma management: they are not only used for diagnosis but can also indicate the best course of treatment for an individual patient. Research studies like this one represent a significant step forward in treatment.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, cutting-edge research is a boon to you and future patients. For information on the resources available to you, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today at 1-800-692-8608.
