A recent study conducted by the Department of Molecular Pathology at the Polytechnic University of Marche in Ancona, Italy may lead to breakthroughs in mesothelioma cancer diagnosis. The study, entitled “Assessment of Biomarkers in Asbestos-Exposed Workers as Indicators of Cancer Risk” was published in June in an issue of Mutation Research.
Researchers involved in the study have discovered that certain indicators known as biomarkers can clearly distinguish mesothelioma cells from normal cells, potentially leading to faster, more conclusive diagnosis of asbestos-related cancer.
119 participants, all who had been previously exposed to asbestos, were analyzed and studied. Researchers discovered biomarkers consistent with asbestos exposure, Participants who had been exposed to higher levels of asbestos exhibited increased biomarkers.
Mesothelioma is conclusively caused by previous exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring toxic mineral that may be found within a variety of construction materials, including insulation and roofing tiles. The latent period associated with mesothelioma cancer is between twenty and fifty years, and upon a mesothelioma diagnosis an individual will most likely surrender to this aggressive disease in less than two years. Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose, as the symptoms associated with mesothelioma are similar to those of other asbestos-related ailments, such as asbestosis.
The discovery of biomarkers could lead to earlier and more conclusive mesothelioma diagnosis.
Mesothelioma.com supports continued research and increased funding related to biomarkers and the potential for easier mesothelioma cancer diagnosis.
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