Prescription Drug May Help Prevent Mesothelioma According to New Study

Conducted in Switzerland, a new study has been able to show how asbestos fibers trigger irritation in the lungs. It is assumed that by preventing this irritation, mesothelioma may be avoided.

The study was conducted by Professor Jürg Tschopp from the University of Lausanne in Switzerland. He was assisted by colleges from the United States and Europe. Their results have been published in the journal Science.

The study shows how asbestos fibers trigger immune system proteins in the lungs, which sets off chronic lung inflammation. Tschopp proposes that a common prescription drug that is used to treat arthritis may help to prevent the inflammation caused by asbestos exposure, and in turn help to prevent mesothelioma.

The study was not able to explain the exact cause of mesothelioma, which is still a mystery. The only known cause of the rare form of lung cancer is asbestos exposure. What is known is that when asbestos fibers enter the lungs, they become encased in proteins which build and aggravate the lining of the lung tissue.

Up to date, scientists have discovered that asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma, but they have not been able to demonstrate exactly how the damage turns into the cancer. The study indicates that the lung cancer is caused from chronic inflammation. The inflammation, caused by the rise in proteins after asbestos exposure, eventually will result in scarring of the lung tissue which can lead to cancer.

The study proposes the use of the rheumatoid arthritis drug Anakinra. It is currently being studied as a way to prevent the inflammation resulting from asbestos exposure that may be the cause of mesothelioma.

An additional way to help prevent mesothelioma, or at least intervene early, is to test for elevated proteins, which may help a doctor identify if a patient is at risk for the serious lung diseases that are cause by asbestos exposure.

More research is still needed to draw conclusive information regarding how inflammation contributes to mesothelioma and if the arthritis drug will help to prevent the cancer.

The dangers of asbestos are well known and exposure to the product is most likely the result of purposeful negligence. Mesothelioma attorneys have been able to settle cases against negligent parties despite the fact that it can take decades for the disease to develop from asbestos exposure.