Recent study results show great promise for treating mesothelioma cancer
Today, it is common knowledge that exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma and other serious illnesses; in the relatively rare instances when asbestos is used as a building or industrial material these days, extreme care is taken in the handling of the substance. This was not always the case. In fact, the fire resistance and low electrical conductivity of asbestos made it one of the most commonly used commercial materials for much of the 20th century.
Unsurprisingly, asbestos is still turning up in numerous structures and products. For example, asbestos contamination was discovered in December, 2013 in two schools located in Birmingham, Alabama.
Because asbestos was so pervasive that it is still present in many locations, and because asbestos-related illnesses can take years to manifest after asbestos exposure – in some cases between 20 and 50 years – many people are still being diagnosed with mesothelioma. For some of these mesothelioma patients, there may be good news on the horizon, however, as there has just been a breakthrough in what could become a more effective new treatment.
New type of chemotherapy better at inhibiting cancer cells, preventing side effects
Mesothelioma is actually a rare type of cancer affecting the membrane that surrounds and protects many of the body’s internal organs. The most common type of mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma, primarily attacks the sac surrounding the lungs, known as the pleura. Like with other types of cancer, chemotherapy has been an often utilized treatment.
Cisplatin and pemetrexed are currently the standard chemotherapy drugs used to combat pleural mesothelioma. However, they are not incredibly effective. In a new study published in the medical journal Genetics and Molecular Research, researchers revealed the potential to achieve far better results by combining cisplatin with the experimental drug panobinostat.
Panobinostat functions by blocking the production of certain enzymes at the molecular lever. These enzymes, uninhibited, allow cancer cells to grow. By introducing panobinostat, researchers were able to stop the spread of mesothelioma cancer cells in laboratory experiments. In addition to killing cancer cells more effectively than current treatments, the new treatment was found by researchers to have less of a potential for causing side effects and harming healthy cells.
Harmed by mesothelioma that may be related to asbestos exposure? Contact an attorney
The research surrounding panobinostat is only at its early stages, and many more tests will be required before it could be made widely available to mesothelioma patients. Nonetheless, it offers a ray of hope for those affected by mesothelioma.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or if you have lost a family member to the disease, you may be entitled to compensation to pay for medical treatment and other expenses related to asbestos exposure. In fact, there are even a number of asbestos trust funds in place to ensure there are resources available for asbestos victims who were harmed by asbestos in an item that was produced by a company that is no longer in existence. Contact a mesothelioma lawsuit attorney today to learn more about recovering compensation for the harm done to you through asbestos exposure.