| Mesothelioma is causally related to asbestos exposure. Asbestos use is not yet banned in the US. This story is shared from sciencedaily.com.
University of Leicester researchers are leading two major trials into treatments for a type of cancer which affects those exposed to asbestos.
Mesothelioma most commonly starts in the inner lining of the chest wall, causing it to thicken, reducing lung capacity -- which in turn puts a strain on other organs including the heart. Since the 1960s, it has been known that the disease can be triggered by the inhalation of asbestos fibres. Despite the UK's ban on asbestos issued in 1985, the number of deaths caused by the disease each year has grown from 153 in 1968 to 2,321 in 2009 -- the highest incidence in the world. This number is set to continue to rise sharply over the next 20 years, with a peak coming in 2020. Two studies involving the University of Leicester aim to test new potential treatments which could improve survival and quality of life for mesothelioma patients. Meso2, a study funded by Synta Pharmaceuticals, aims to test the effectiveness of a drug called ganetespib in preventing mesothelioma tumors. Ganetespib inhibits the action of a protein in cells called heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) -- which is... |
