An Austrian research company has discovered that a drug, generally used to treat renal cancer, has proven helpful for mesothelioma patients. According to the study, published in The Journal of Thoracic Oncology, the drug temsirolimus enhances the effectiveness of chemotherapy for people who have the asbestos-related cancer.
Temsirolimus is a kinase inhibitor, which can slow down tumor growth by regulating mammalian target of rapamycin, mTor. The drug is typically used to treat renal cancers, but the Austrian researchers found the drug was, also, effective in slowing the growth of pleural mesothelioma tumor, when combined with chemotherapy.
Mesothelioma is a cancer, which usually affects the lining of the lungs that is contracted by people who have been exposed to asbestos. Radiation, surgery and chemotherapy are used to treat mesothelioma, but many patients rarely live beyond 18 months after diagnosis.
Mesothelioma is contracted by people who worked in many different aspects of the construction industry, along with people who worked on ship or oil refineries. The number of people who contract mesothelioma is predicted to grow, and they will need the counsel of a mesothelioma lawyer and a qualified doctor. The aggressive cancer can takes decades to manifest, so researchers believe the number of people who contract mesothelioma will continue to grow.
For the mesothelioma patient, it may become essential to employ a mesothelioma attorney to seek compensation of their medical care. Asbestos has not been completely banned in the US, and is still widely used in developing nations, but the diligent work of mesothelioma lawyers may soon make the toxic substance illegal.
