New Study Hopes to Improve Early Detection of Mesothelioma

Researchers in Germany have developed a novel blood test for mesothelioma cancer that could lead to earlier detection of the disease and a better prognosis for patients. The test involves calretinin, a blood-based protein that is overexpressed when mesothelioma tumors cells are present. The advancement stems from a study using a new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting the biomarker more effectively. In the past, mesothelioma has been difficult to diagnose. It’s mostly accomplished with a combination of invasive tissue biopsies and detailed imaging tests after symptoms become obvious. A reliable blood test would make the process much easier, allowing those at high risk for the disease to be monitored regularly, likely leading to disease discovery in its infancy when it is more manageable. “It might be quite the advantage when it comes to treatment,” biochemist Dr. Georg Johnen, the lead researcher in the German study, told Asbestos.com. “This might allow you to see elevated marker levels well before you have symptoms.” Making Long-Term Survival Possible Occupational exposure to asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer with a long latency period (20-50 years). The majority of cases are not diagnosed until after the disease has spread, limiting treatment options. Getting an accurate diagnosis today often takes many months and a variety of tests. Long-term survival is rare. Less than 25 percent of patients are e...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: biomarkers for mesothelioma calretinin assay epithelioid mesothelioma Georg Johnen Mesomark blood assay mesothelioma cancer research mesothelioma cancer treatment Source Type: news