March 5, 2014 – Mesothelioma is an aggressive and lethal cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Symptoms of the disease do not appear for 10 to 50 years after the initial exposure. By this time, the disease is typically in a more progressive stage, leaving patients with limited treatment options and a shortened life expectancy. Researchers have developed a simple blood test that they believe could detect the presence of mesothelioma in its earliest stages.
Currently, there is a mesothelioma biomarker called mesothelin that physicians have been utilizing in their practice. High mesothelin levels can be detected when a patient has a more advanced stage of the disease. Unfortunately, it has not been overly helpful in detecting the disease at an earlier stage.
An international team of researchers from the United States, Italy, Chile and Switzerland collaborated together to discover a panel of proteins that are released only by mesothelioma cancer cells. The scientists used Selected Reaction Monitoring (SRM) assay technology to help them find these proteins. At first, they identified 51 potential biomarker candidates for malignant pleural mesothelioma. With further testing, the researchers were able to narrow the search and identify a panel of seven glycopeptides. Then, they developed a test that could detect the presence of this signature panel in a human blood sample.
The researchers concluded that the test may prove helpful in diagnosing this devastating cancer in patients that are considered high risk, specifically individuals with a known exposure to asbestos. Testing these individuals and confirming a diagnosis before the cancer has spread or metastasized could lead to a revolutionary method of diagnosing and treating mesothelioma victims. The study findings are printed in the journal, Clinical Proteomics.
The Mesothelioma Attorneys at the Shein Law Represent Victims in Pennsylvania and New Jersey
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, contact the Shein Law as soon as possible to ensure that your rights are fully protected. Our offices are conveniently located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Pennsauken, New Jersey. Call us today at 1-877-SHEINLAW (743-4652) to schedule a free consultation or fill out our online contact form.