Exosomes and Mesothelioma:
We hear about mesothelioma and asbestos in the news a great deal lately. More than 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year in the United States and more than 43,000 people across the globe will die from the disease annually. But why is mesothelioma such a devastating cancer? The difficulty in diagnosing mesothelioma at an early stage can make treatments ineffective. In this article, we’ll discuss how exosomes may play a role in the future of mesothelioma diagnosis and treatment.
What is Mesothelioma and What Causes It?
Mesothelioma is an aggressive, deadly cancer of the tissues that line the organs of the body, including the lungs, stomach, heart, and other organs. The disease often begins in the chest and can progress to other parts of the body. The most common form of mesothelioma affects the pleural lining of the lungs. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos.Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral. Its fibers are strong and heat resistant. As a result, asbestos was commonly used in insulation, construction materials, fire retardant clothing, brake pads, and many other materials. When asbestos is broken up, whether through the mining process or renovating a building containing asbestos materials, it forms a dust that is released into the air or water and can be inhaled or ingested. Once in the body, asbestos fibers can lodge in the lungs or the digestive system, causing inflammation and permanent scarring that grows worse over time. The result can be severe damage that the body cannot repair.Mesothelioma is often not detected until 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos because there are no biomarkers for early diagnosis of the disease. Moreover, once actually diagnosed, the prognosis is poor. While many treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and medication exist, mesothelioma cannot be cured. As a result, tragically, the average survival time once this cancer is diagnosed is only six to 12 months.
Potential Role of Exosomes
Exosomes are cell components found outside a cell. Once thought to be cellular waste products, exosomes are secreted by cells and are now believed to be a form of communication or transmission of molecules between cells. When cells secrete exosomes, they contain small amounts of material from their originating cells, including RNA and proteins. As a result, exosomes can sometimes be used to detect cancers. Since exosomes are released into urine by the kidneys, the hope is that one day mesothelioma can be detected at an earlier stage with a simple urine test. While a mesothelioma diagnosis can be particularly devastating, there is hope that exosomes can play a future role in early diagnosis and treatment.If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, contact us for a free consultation. We’ve been helping victims of asbestos exposure since 1972. Call 888-910-MESO (6376) or contact us via our website.
