French Study Reveals Potential Mesothelioma Treatment Target

A team of French researchers led by Dr. Christophe Blanquart has identified a substance that may better define the severity of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) in the body and provide clues to more effectively manage the rare cancer. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, as the name indicates, is a protein found in the brain. BDNF is a growth factor and also appears in other tissues in the body. “It seems that BDNF could be a prognostic marker for MPM patients,” Blanquart told The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com. “The level of BDNF in pleural fluids could reflect the severity of disease.” The study was published October 11 in Molecular Cancer. Physicians often use biomarkers in blood or other body fluids to diagnose the extent of cancer and its response to treatment. Researchers also use these biomarkers to identify possible new targets for treatment. There are no well-accepted biomarkers for malignant pleural mesothelioma. The discovery of links between BDNF and MPM is a step in addressing this challenge. Importance of Growth Factors for Managing MPM Tumors often produce growth factors that help cancer cells multiply and spread. Some existing cancer treatments target these proteins. Different cancer types produce an excess of distinct growth factors. A drug targeting only one growth factor won’t work for all cancers. Some tumors can mutate and find ways around a drug that blocks only one particular growth factor. This is why continued research is vital for...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Source Type: news