The fear of mesothelioma hangs over countless people exposed to asbestos in the past. The disease’s multi-decade latency period means that even the most vigilant potential victims don’t detect symptoms until the disease is very advanced and difficult to treat. In response to this challenge, healthcare company Roche has announced that it is launching the VENTANA BAP1 (SP527) test. This automated immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay is designed to help pathologists distinguish the rare form of cancer from other types, including non-small cell lung cancer.
Mesothelioma Diagnosis Often Comes Too Late
Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer that develops in the thin tissue lining internal organs. More than 80 percent of cases begin in the pleura, the lining of the chest cavity. Most victims are diagnosed late in the course of the disease, and median survival ranges from 12 to 18 months.
One of the more challenging aspects of mesothelioma is its resemblance to other conditions under the microscope. Roche says its new test, which is already cleared for use in major markets worldwide, is designed to help distinguish mesothelioma from breast cancer, stomach cancer, and benign growths in the chest or abdomen. Roche Diagnostics CEO Matt Sause described mesothelioma as a disease with high unmet need, and said that timely differential diagnosis is critical to achieving the best outcomes for patients.
Mesothelioma Testing That Preserves Precious Tissue
Another difficulty in diagnosing mesothelioma is that biopsies often only collect small tissue samples that can be used up by running multiple traditional diagnostic tests. Highly specific single markers such as BAP1, used alongside Roche’s recently launched MTAP (SP530) and Claudin-4 (EP417) tests, will allow pathologists to tell cancers apart while minimizing tissue loss, while still saving tissue for molecular sequencing, PCR testing, and the precision-medicine workups that oncologists need to shape treatment decisions.
It is notable that the Roche mesothelioma test leverages BAP1. The disease’s cells frequently lose this protein, which normally helps keep cell growth in check. When it disappears from the cell nucleus in tissue from the mesothelial lining, it is highly likely that there’s a malignancy rather than a benign condition. By pairing the BAP1 test with markers that identify mesothelial cells, the test gives laboratories a targeted panel for separating malignant mesothelioma from benign and metastatic look-alikes. For patients already facing a frightening diagnosis, that clarity and the tissue left over for treatment planning can make a meaningful difference.
If you or someone you love is at risk for mesothelioma, new tests like this provide the promise of earlier diagnosis and treatment. For more information on the resources available, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net at 1-800-692-8608.
