Researchers at the University of Piemonte Orientale in Italy and the Karolinska Institute may have made a breakthrough in the treatment of mesothelioma.
Malignant mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos and is very difficult to treat with the average survival rate for mesothelioma being between 9 and 17 months. The basic standard is to use chemotherapy in the treatment of pleural mesothelioma but only 40% of patients respond to this and it does not normally extend life by more than a few months.
Now the researchers have found that by targeting an estrogen receptor may help to make the cancer more sensitive to chemotherapy.
The results of the research on mice have been promising in that firstly the mesothelioma cells did not replicate nor grow so quickly and then when combined with chemotherapy there were significant tumor inhibiting effects and increasing death of the mesothelioma cells. In addition the healthy cells appear to have been protected from the damaging effects of the chemotherapy which usually accounts for most serious side effects in patients undergoing chemotherapy.
If you have been diagnosed with any an asbestos related disease, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. To find out how we can help you recover for your asbestos related claim, contact the Law Office of Brayton Purcell, LLP at (800) 598-0314 immediately, or contact us online for a free consultation.
