New Science Helps Explain How Asbestos Causes Mesothelioma, According to Surviving Mesothelioma
Raleigh, NC (PRWEB) June 26, 2015 -- A study out of Brazil suggests that two small signaling proteins called cytokines may be responsible for the mesothelioma-inducing properties of asbestos. Surviving Mesothelioma has just posted a story on the new research. Click here to read it now.
Researchers at the University of Sao Paulo exposed cells from the pleural membrane of healthy mice to two types of asbestos for 4, 24, or 48 hours. They found that the cells produced inflammatory cytokines that caused them to die at higher rates.
“Both crocidolite and chrysotile asbestos fibers induced apoptosis and produced an acute inflammatory response characterized by elevated levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and MIP-2 [cytokines],” writes Milena M. Acencio, the study’s lead author.
The study, published in the journal Lung, found that treating these asbestos-exposed cells with antibodies effectively “turned off” these destructive cytokines, making them less likely to develop an asbestos disease like mesothelioma.
“Mesothelioma is one of the most challenging cancers to treat in part because scientists still don’t fully understand how it starts,” says Alex Strauss, Managing Editor of Surviving Mesothelioma. “This study is important because it offers another piece of the puzzle.”
For a more detailed explanation of the new research and how it was conducted, see New Study Helps Explain How Asbestos Leads to Mesothelioma, now available on the Surviving Mesothelioma website.
Acencio, MM, et al “Inflammatory cytokines contribute to asbestos-induced injury of mesothelial cells”, June 10, 2015, Lung, Epub ahead of print, http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00408-015-9744-4.
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]
Share this article