Researchers Identify Biomarker They Hope May Aid in Determining the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Pleural Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma doctor Harvey Pass October 10, 2012 – In a ground breaking study published in the New England Journal of Medicine today, highly respected mesothelioma researchers, led by Harvey I. Pass, M.D. of NYU Medical Center, reported that they have identified a biomarker in blood and effusions (effusion refers to the escape of fluid from blood vessels or the lymphatic system and its collection in a cavity of the body), which can distinguish a healthy person with exposure to asbestos from patients with mesothelioma and distinguish effusions caused from mesothelioma from other malignant and benign effusions.

Blood and effusion fluid was collected by doctors in Detroit and New York from patients with pleural mesothelioma, patients with pleural effusions not due to mesothelioma, and cancer-free individuals with a history of asbestos exposure (including foundry workers, pipe fitters, plumbers, ship builders, machinists, tool and die workers, millwrights, brick layers, electricians, those in the building and construction trades, those involved in brake assembly or repair, those with exposure to vermiculite insulation, and those with exposure from contact with family members who worked with asbestos). Researches compared the levels of a biomarker called fibulin-3 in the blood and effusions of these different groups of patients. They found that fibulin-3 levels in blood did not vary according to age, sex, or duration of asbestos exposure. Fibulin-3 levels in blood were significantly higher, however, in patients with pleural mesothelioma than in asbestos-exposed persons without mesothelioma. Further, fibulin-3 levels in effusion fluid were significantly higher in patients with pleural mesothelioma than in patients with effusions caused by something else.

These results suggest that levels of fibulin-3 in plasma and effusions may aid in determining the diagnosis and prognosis of pleural mesothelioma. The authors of the study noted that further research on fibulin-3 is needed before it can be used to diagnose patients in a clinical setting. They also called for further study of how fibulin-3 can be used to predict patients’ prognosis.

The authors called for further study on this important biomarker in order to clarify the role of fibulin-3 in mesothelioma growth, invasion, and metastasis formation and to determine whether the molecule might be targeted for specific therapies. This research holds the exciting promise of potentially improving the efficacy of the treatments doctors can offer mesothelioma patients.

This study is a result of a collaboration by physicians from New York University Langone Medical Center, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, the Karmanos Cancer Institute, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, the University of California, Los Angeles, the Swedish Cancer Institute, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network and University of Toronto.

Levy Phillips & Konigsberg LLP is proud to have contributed to the support of this research through our donations.

ATTENTION: Mesothelioma has no known cure and often causes severe pain, suffering, and other types of damage, such as loss of consortium, and loss of income. Additionally, due to the exceedingly high cost of mesothelioma treatments, many families exhaust savings and accumulate financial debt in order to pay for the medical expenses of their family member.

Under the law of most states, pain and suffering from mesothelioma may be compensated through the award of money damages, usually obtained with the help of experienced mesothelioma attorneys. In some states other types of damages may also be recovered.

Asbestos litigation affords mesothelioma victims the opportunity to receive financial compensation and hold accountable the companies that caused their asbestos exposure.

IMPORTANT: If you or your family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should get in touch with a mesothelioma lawyer as early as possible to determine if you have a mesothelioma case and to:

Preserve your rights to bring a legal action against the responsible parties within the limited time frame allowed by law, known as statute of limitations;
Obtain maximum compensation in your case by being able to:
- Preserve evidence and establish facts of the asbestos exposure while the claimant is still alive and able to provide information;
- File and resolve a lawsuit against the responsible parties before they file for bankruptcy or, if they already have, to obtain compensation before their bankruptcy trust funds run out of money;
Expedite your case, as courts tend to give higher priority to mesothelioma lawsuits where the claimant is still alive.

Find out whether you have a case by speaking to one of our experienced mesothelioma lawyers via our 24/7 toll-free hotline at 1-800-MESO-LAW (1-800-637-6529) or by submitting an email inquiry (see form above). Our attorneys will be quick to respond to you and happy to answer all of your questions.

NOTE: While our offices are located in the states of New York, New Jersey, and Georgia, many of our mesothelioma lawyers are licensed to practice law in a number of U.S. states and have the capability and extensive experience of representing mesothelioma clients throughout the United States.

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