Unlocking the Role of Osteopontin in Mesothelioma Tumor Growth
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Unlocking the Role of Osteopontin in Mesothelioma Tumor Growth

ByHolly Zink

Scientists have discovered that a protein called osteopontin is found in higher levels in mesothelioma tumors than in normal tissues. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lining of some organs in the body. It is caused by exposure to tiny fibers called asbestos. When these fibers are breathed in, they can get stuck in the lining of the lungs, heart, or abdomen. Over time, they can cause cancerous cells to grow there. Mesothelioma is also very rare. This means that doctors and scientists are still learning about how this cancer grows and the best ways to treat it. The current treatments for mesothelioma include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. These treatments are not always effective, so scientists are…

New and More Objective Way to Diagnose Mesothelioma
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New and More Objective Way to Diagnose Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

A study published in Cancers looked at a new way to diagnose malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). The usual way to diagnose MPM is through a biopsy or looking at fluid in the chest, but these methods are not very accurate. The researchers in this study used mass spectrometry-based proteomics to look for biomarkers that can pinpoint MPM in the body. Identifying Cancer MPM is a serious cancer that is linked to exposure to asbestos and is usually found late, making it hard to treat. Pleural mesothelioma occurs in about 2,000 people in the United States every year. The prognosis is poor, with a median survival rate of 12 months. Conventional treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Improving the…

Could This Protein Play a Role in Survival of Pleural Mesothelioma?
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Could This Protein Play a Role in Survival of Pleural Mesothelioma?

ByAlex Strauss

Research funded by the National Cancer Institute has identified a protein that might play a key role in survival of pleural mesothelioma.  The protein is called UHRF1. It is encoded by a gene of the same name. Researchers believe it may be a driver of growth and spread in malignant mesothelioma.  The research will have to be confirmed on a larger scale. But if it turns out to be true, it could give doctors a new way to extend survival of pleural mesothelioma.  Finding Drivers of Mesothelioma Growth Pleural mesothelioma is a membrane (mesothelium) cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Although some people do survive mesothelioma, it is rare. Average survival of pleural mesothelioma is right around 18 months.  It can…

Protein Biomarker for Mesothelioma Linked to Shorter Survival
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Protein Biomarker for Mesothelioma Linked to Shorter Survival

ByAlex Strauss

An international team of scientists has identified a protein biomarker for mesothelioma that appears to shorten survival. The biomarker is CD70. It belongs to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family of proteins. New research suggests that patients who express more of this protein biomarker for mesothelioma have faster-growing tumors that are less likely to respond to treatment. High CD70 levels have been linked with tumor aggression in some other types of cancer. This is the first time they have been linked to malignant pleural mesothelioma survival.  CD70 and Mesothelioma Prognosis Pleural mesothelioma is a highly aggressive type of tumor. It grows on the membranes around internal organs. Mesothelioma rarely responds to standard cancer treatments. People diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma are…

Combination Treatment Fights Mesothelioma “Synergistically”
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Combination Treatment Fights Mesothelioma “Synergistically”

ByAlex Strauss

Cancer researchers in Italy are working on a way to use the body’s own cancer-fighting tools to help boost the effectiveness of chemotherapy for mesothelioma. They are concentrating their efforts on a protein called TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, also known as TRAIL. TRAIL is a cytokine that is produced by most normal tissue cells but causes apoptosis (programmed cell death) in tumor cells. TRAIL is one of the ways the body helps keeps cancers like mesothelioma from gaining a foothold. Recently, doctors at the University of Padua ran a test combining a form of TRAIL made from human cells with standard chemotherapy drugs to help fight malignant pleural mesothelioma. The lab-produced TRAIL, called dulanermin, was administered along with pemetrexed and carboplatin…

Protein May Predict Mesothelioma Treatment Response
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Protein May Predict Mesothelioma Treatment Response

ByAlex Strauss

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare but highly aggressive type of cancer.  Because it spreads so quickly, treatment success can hinge on predicting which treatments are likely to work and choosing the right treatment protocol early. Now, there may be a new way to improve survival by making that prediction even more accurate. Mesothelioma researchers at several medical centers across Austria say a cell protein, know as serum C-Reactive Protein (CRP), may hold the key. CRP is a type of protein produced in the liver when the body is experiencing acute inflammation or infection. CRP levels rise to help the body jump start its immune response. Test Method To test the relationship between CRP levels and mesothelioma, researchers analyzed the medical records…