Using Blood Tests and Biomarkers In Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Clinicians have been experimenting with different mesothelioma blood tests for many years. There are a variety of goals with these tests. Here are several of them:
- To have an easy and non-invasive method to test if a patient has mesothelioma.
- To detect mesothelioma in the earliest stages possible.
- To determine whether mesothelioma is spreading, growing, or decreasing.
- To determine if treatments are working.
So far, there are have been many promising blood tests designed to do one or more of the above. Nonetheless, no mesothelioma blood test has yet been accepted as part of the standard of care.
Mesomark
Perhaps the best known mesothelioma blood test is called MESOMARK. MESOMARK is an assay that measures Soluble Mesothelin-Related Peptides (SMRP). SMRP is a biomarker that is released into the bloodstream by mesothelioma cells. According to the manufacturer of the test, “SMRP can be elevated years before an actual diagnosis of mesothelioma is made.”
Other Mesothelioma Blood Tests and Biomarkers
Other more experimental mesothelioma blood tests include:
- FGF18, the novel mesothelioma biomarker that is a member of the fibroblast growth factor family.
- A protein called fibulin-3.
- Plasma osteopontin (pOPM) and vimentin.
- Glycodelin, a major lipocalin protein.
Some clinicians are testing blood tests like these and others. If you are dealing with a mesothelioma diagnosis and want to know if there is an easy non-invasive way to monitor your mesothelioma, ask your doctor if he trusts any of currently available mesothelioma blood tests or biomarkers.
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