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Mesothelioma Research
Finding a Cure for Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma Research
Although currently there are no cures for the asbestos
cancer known as mesothelioma, research is moving in a hopeful direction toward
finding a cure. Treatments to better manage the disease and live longer are
available at this time, and offer a range of options for mesothelioma patients
and hope for a greater mesothelioma life expectancy.
Understanding Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the
mesothelium, which is a lining that surrounds the heart, lung, and abdominal
cavity. The major cause of malignant mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, and
in particular the blue ‘crocidolite' and brown ‘amosite' types of asbestos. The
asbestos particles, once they have been breathed in, act like tiny needles that
work their way into the lung tissue and out into the outer layer surrounding
the lungs, the mesothelium. Although how it happens it not presently understood
by medical researchers, the presence of asbestos in this area causes cells to
mutate, and the cancer to form. Changes to the immune system due to the
presence of the asbestos particles may play a role in the formation of the
cancer, but more research is needed to fully understand its cause.
The mesothelioma latency period is quite long before
mesothelioma symptoms become apparent. What this has meant in the past is that
once the cancer is discovered, it is often in latter stages of development,
making it harder to treat the cancer. Surgery, mesothelioma chemotherapy and
radiation treatments were given to help relieve pain, but recovery levels were
not high.
The Road to a Cure
Japanese researchers have developed a new blood test in the
continued quest to develop a cure.
Japanese researchers have developed a blood test that could
result in earlier detection of mesothelioma. Earlier detection is possible with
the Mesomark test, which looks for protein markers that are often tied to
cancers. This test may make it possible to stop this disease with surgical
procedures in the early stages, and offers hope for a higher success rate.
An early-stage vaccine was recently developed by researchers
at the Erasmus Medical Center in the Netherlands that has thus far show fairly
promising results. The experimental vaccine utilizes dendritic cell
immunotherapy, in which the body’s immune system, is trained to target and
destroy malignant mesothelioma cells. The vaccine is comprised of a sample of
the patient’s own dendritic immune cells that have been introduced to proteins
taken from the mesothelioma tumor. Once reintroduced into the body, these cells
have a defense mechanism built in to attack the tumor.
While the trials are in their early stages, the hope is that
soon, those who may be at risk for mesothelioma (i.e. those exposed to
asbestos), may be able to prevent tumor development altogether, or defend and
eliminate developing tumors in their early stages. Thus far, the vaccine has
been used only in patients diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma doctors and researchers have also examined the
steps a long-time mesothelioma cancer survivor, Paul Kraus, has taken to live
with this disease for going on 14 years. Although the treatments he partakes in
are considered to be outside traditional clinical oncology, they have worked
effectively for him to keep the cancer in check. In addition to oxygen
treatments, he also eats a nutrient-rich vegetarian diet, many vitamin
supplements, and prays and meditates. He has ozone, which is a form of oxygen,
injected into his blood, to form an environment where the cancer cells do not
thrive. Because oxygen can cause damage to healthy cells, he counters this
effect with anti-oxidants in the foods he eats. Anti-oxidants are also supposed
to keep cancers at bay.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients and Their Families
Request a Free Mesothelioma Treatment Guide
Connect with Top Mesothelioma Doctors
Locate the Nearest Comprehensive Cancer Center
Sign up for Our Mesothelioma Treatment Alert
Speak with a 12-Year Mesothelioma Survivor
Financial Assistance Available to Help with Treatment Costs
Curative Surgical Approaches to Mesothelioma
Dr. David Sugarbaker is currently conducting promising
treatment trials through the International Mesothelioma Program in Boston, MA
Dr. David Sugarbaker is widely considered the country’s
leading mesothelioma expert, and is currently engaged in the most progressive
clinical therapies for malignant pleural mesothelioma. His most aggressive
therapy involves the use of surgical resection in the form of an extrapleural
pneumonectomy in conjunction intra-operative, intrapleural chemotherapy, with
adjuvant radiation therapy. Extrapleural pneumonectomy involves total
pneumonectomy (removal of entire affected lung), the removal of the pericardium,
the entire pleura, and the diaphragm. Following resection of these internal
structures, the pericardium and diaphragm are reconstructed with prosthetic
material. While the tumor mass and lung are resected, Cisplatin or other
prescribed chemotherapy is applied directly to the surface of the internal
organs in the hope to eliminate all remaining tumor cells. Radiation therapy is
then administered following the patient’s recovery from surgery.
Top Mesothelioma Doctors in the Country
David Sugarbaker, M.D.
David Sugarbaker, M.D.
Professor of Surgery; Chief, General Thoracic Surgery;
Director, Lung Institute at Baylor College of Medicine
Map Marker Baylor College of Medicine
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Raphael Bueno, M.D.
Raphael Bueno, M.D.
Chief, Division of Thoracic Surgery; Co-Director, The Lung
Center
Map Marker Brigham and Women's Hospital
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In patients considered ideal candidates for EPP with
adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy, five-year survival rates have thus far
been encouraging. Dr. Sugarbaker continues to advocate the use of GEMzar®
(Gemcitabine) in many patients who have encountered adverse reactions to
Cisplatin. Because the surgery and tri-modal approach utilized by Dr.
Sugarbaker is extensive, many patients have utilized physical therapy, and
other palliation therapies following treatment to regain mobility and for
symptomatic pain relief.
There are also new mesothelioma treatment options that,
while currently considered experimental, may provide an effective cure after
further testing and research are conducted. Dr. Stephen Cantrell, as reported
in Medical News Today, has combined a protein used by the immune system called
interferon with cholesterol-lowering medication in a regimen called
"Neo-Plas. It is thought that killer cells are activated by the
interferon, and thus may help by going after the cancer cells. Early results
are hopeful that this may provide a potential cure for mesothelioma and higher
numbers of mesothelioma survivors.
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