Mesothelioma Patients Can Benefit from Genetic Testing

All patients diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma should undergo genetic testing to better identify the most appropriate treatment plan, according to Dr. Michele Carbone, the director of thoracic oncology at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. Genetic testing also could lead to a more accurate prognosis and help family members determine if they are more susceptible to the cancer. Carbone estimates only one-third of all mesothelioma patients today have undergone the testing. “Some of these patients could definitely benefit from genetic testing,” Carbone told The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com. Carbone has been a believer in genetic testing longer than most, stemming from his research that first identified the BAP1 gene mutation in mesothelioma patients in 2011. That mutation remains the only known biological mechanism that makes people more susceptible to the cancer. “The whole concept today of personalized medicine is based on the genetic makeup of the tumor,” he said. “It could change the way you treat a patient, the way you diagnose a patient, or how you address follow-up care. It’s important to family members, also.” Recent Study Uncovers More Mutations Carbone is part of a research group that recently identified a subset of mesothelioma patients that experienced significant survival advantages based upon the BAP1 gene and other germline mutations. The Journal of Clinical Oncology published the findings October 30. “Do I have mesothelioma becau...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Source Type: news