Researchers Identify Genetic Mutations Behind Malignant Mesothelioma, According to Surviving Mesothelioma
Raleigh, NC (PRWEB) March 03, 2016 -- Scientists in Boston and California say they have uncovered a “spectrum of mutations” in the genes of people with malignant pleural mesothelioma. As Surviving Mesothelioma reports, the news may reveal new ways to treat mesothelioma patients with existing cancer drugs. Click here to read an article on the new research on the Surviving Mesothelioma website.
Doctors at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and Genentech, Inc. in California subjected mesothelioma tumor cells from more than 200 patients to advanced DNA sequencing technology.
“A small number of these mutations have been found previously in other cancers, and drugs have been developed to target these mutations,” said study author Raphael Bueno, MD, in a statement. Bueno is chief of thoracic surgery at Brigham and Women’s.
The new report, published in Nature Genetics, suggests that certain mesothelioma tumors may be more susceptible to immunotherapy while others may respond to treatments that address gene fusion.
“Mesothelioma patients currently have so few viable treatment options.The idea that some existing therapies may work for pleural mesothelioma is very encouraging news,” says Surviving Mesothelioma’s Managing Editor Alex Strauss.
You can find more information about the study and its potential implications for mesothelioma patients and their families in New Genetic Insights May Mean More Mesothelioma Treatment Options, now available on the Surviving Mesothelioma website.
Bueno, R, et al, “Comprehensive genomic analysis of malignant pleural mesothelioma identifies recurrent mutations, gene fusions and splicing alterations”, February 29, 2016, Nature Genetics, http://www.nature.com/ng/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/ng.3520.html
For nearly ten years, Surviving Mesothelioma has brought readers the most important and ground-breaking news on the causes, diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma. All Surviving Mesothelioma news is gathered and reported directly from the peer-reviewed medical literature. Written for patients and their loved ones, Surviving Mesothelioma news helps families make more informed decisions.
Michael Ellis, Cancer Monthy, http://www.survivingmesothelioma.com, +1 (919) 570-8595, [email protected]
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