New Study Shows Promise for Early Detection of Mesothelioma

By Ramsay Crooks

Published on October 21, 2005

Researchers at New York University School of Medicine and Wayne State University conducted the study. The researchers studied 190 patients, 69 who had an asbestos-related nonmalignant disease, 45 were current or past smokers with no exposure to asbestos and 76 patients suffered from pleural mesothelioma. The study found that blood levels of a protein called osteopontin are significantly higher in patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma than in at-risk patients.

Harvey Pass M.D., Chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery and Thoracic Oncology at NYU School of Medicine, stated that this new blood test could possibly help monitor people who are at a high risk of developing asbestos-related cancer.

Pleural mesothelioma has most commonly been detected in workers who are frequently exposed to asbestos such as pipe fitters, firefighters and construction workers. There is currently no reliable way to detect early stage mesothelioma. Mesothelioma patients diagnosed in the late stages of the disease are usually given only a 9 to 12 month life expectancy.

Additional research will be conducted to determine exact blood levels needed for screening.

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