New Study Shows Aspirin May Prevent Mesothelioma

Simple aspirin could be the key to preventing or delaying the growth of malignant mesothelioma for those who spent years working in high-risk occupations, a new report shows. Researchers at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center concluded the popular over-the-counter medication can inhibit the growth of mesothelioma tumor cells by blocking the inflammatory effects of a particular molecule that plays a critical role in the progression of the disease. Although the study used lab mice, its relevance already has reached the clinical stage. "The findings were very convincing. The aspirin worked really well. It increased survival [in mice] dramatically," associate professor of the school's thoracic oncology program, Dr. Haining Yang, told Asbestos.com. "For anyone at high risk for mesothelioma later in life, taking aspirin might be a good option in terms of prevention." The medical journal Cell Death & Disease published the study in June. Those at High Risk of Developing Mesothelioma People at high risk of exposure includes those with a genetic susceptibility to the disease, as well as those who worked in occupations where asbestos was prevalent such as construction, shipbuilding, military, insulation and automobile repair. Mesothelioma is caused primarily by exposure to toxic asbestos, the naturally occurring mineral used extensively throughout much of the 20th century. Asbestos was coveted for its ability to s...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Treatment & Doctors Source Type: news