In an insightful article published in the journal Open Access Government, Dr. Daniel J. Murphy of the University of Glasgow School of Cancer Sciences suggests that more robust use of mouse models of mesothelioma may hold the key to predicting which individuals exposed to asbestos are most likely to develop the rare, asbestos-related disease.
Researcher Details Difficulty of Diagnosing Mesothelioma
With the United Kingdom bearing the dubious distinction of having the highest incidence of malignant mesothelioma in the world, Dr. Murphy and his colleagues are working to find more effective ways of diagnosing the rare and deadly disease. He notes that its insidious spread over the lining of the chest cavity rather than in a focal mass makes it look like inflammation and that molecular diagnostics have thus far proven ineffective.
Among the difficulties he cites in explaining the challenges of diagnosing mesothelioma is the failure to capture cells on biopsy. He also points to the current standard of observation for patients who present with symptoms of pleural inflammation until invasive disease is confirmed. He says that this “watch and wait” approach prevents treatment of patients with early-stage disease who may be at risk of developing mesothelioma, or where the disease was missed at biopsy. His goal is to create definitive diagnostic tools to reliably differentiate low-risk inflammation from high-risk pre-malignancy.
Mouse Models Hold the Key to Distinguishing Between Inflammation and Mesothelioma
Dr. Murphy and his colleagues have already established that the persistence of asbestos fibers in the chest drives chronic inflammation from the onset of symptoms through to the development of mesothelioma. His focus is on what happens between exposure and symptoms, and to address the question his lab is working with mouse models that resemble human mesothelioma, allowing them to investigate the entire course of disease progression from initial exposure and the first appearance of mutations through to the development of mesothelioma.
Their goal is to examine the tissue before the onset of mesothelioma symptoms to determine what changes take place and how long it takes for those symptoms to emerge. The hope is that this will help them identify the molecular differences between high-risk pre-malignancy and low-risk lesions, thus enabling earlier treatment of high-risk patients than is currently possible, as well as reassurance to those at low risk of progression to mesothelioma.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure or you are at risk and need more information, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more.
