Genetic Susceptibility to Malignant Mesothelioma?
Over the last 30 or so years, I've represented family members of mesothelioma patients who themselves develop mesothelioma, and so have other plaintiffs attorneys.
Doctors and researchers working with the victims of mesothelioma began to publish reports of clusters of the disease. A 2004 survey of 610 pleural mesotheliomas (Bianchi, Ind Health 2004 Apr 42(2):235-9: Familial Mesothelioma of the Pleura) found 40 familial cases. While it is likely that shared asbestos exposure is a major factor, researchers are now exploring the possibility that genetic factors might play a role in determining the susceptibility to asbestos-related cancer. A recent article explores this possibility (Ugolini, Mutat Res 2008 Mar-Apr 658 (3):162-71: Genetic susceptibility to malignant mesothelioma and exposure to asbestos: the influence of the familial factor).
Ugolini analyzed cases of clustering in reported medical literature and concluded that the available medical literature supports the hypothesis that familial clustering of malignant mesothelioma is largely attributable to shared asbestos exposure. The additional contribution of factors dealing with genetic susceptibility may also play a role. This is important as the understanding of the genetic profiling of malignant mesothelioma may lead to new preventive and therapeutic treatments for this devastating disease, at least in some cases.
Anything we can learn about mesothelioma's development can only be helpful in the worldwide effort to find a cure. It remains true, however, that the best treatment is still prevention, so efforts to ban asbestos and protect workers and their families from all exposures must remain our goal.
See India's Asbestos Time Bomb >>>
Over the last 30 or so years, I've represented family members of mesothelioma patients who themselves develop mesothelioma, and so have other plaintiffs attorneys.
Doctors and researchers working with the victims of mesothelioma began to publish reports of clusters of the disease. A 2004 survey of 610 pleural mesotheliomas (Bianchi, Ind Health 2004 Apr 42(2):235-9: Familial Mesothelioma of the Pleura) found 40 familial cases. While it is likely that shared asbestos exposure is a major factor, researchers are now exploring the possibility that genetic factors might play a role in determining the susceptibility to asbestos-related cancer. A recent article explores this possibility (Ugolini, Mutat Res 2008 Mar-Apr 658 (3):162-71: Genetic susceptibility to malignant mesothelioma and exposure to asbestos: the influence of the familial factor).
Ugolini analyzed cases of clustering in reported medical literature and concluded that the available medical literature supports the hypothesis that familial clustering of malignant mesothelioma is largely attributable to shared asbestos exposure. The additional contribution of factors dealing with genetic susceptibility may also play a role. This is important as the understanding of the genetic profiling of malignant mesothelioma may lead to new preventive and therapeutic treatments for this devastating disease, at least in some cases.
Anything we can learn about mesothelioma's development can only be helpful in the worldwide effort to find a cure. It remains true, however, that the best treatment is still prevention, so efforts to ban asbestos and protect workers and their families from all exposures must remain our goal.
See India's Asbestos Time Bomb >>>
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