Anti-cancer Drug Onconase Shows Unique Promise In Treating Mesothelioma And Lung Cancer: National Academy Of Sciences Journal - Update
RTTNews -June 27, 2006
Tuesday morning, Alfacell Corp. said that according to the research findings published in National Academy of Sciences Journal, the company's anti-cancer drug Onconase might be one of the most effective methods of treatment for mesothelioma and lung cancer caused by asbestos.
Onconase is a novel anti-cancer drug for the treatment of patients with inoperable malignant mesothelioma. Malignant mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer of the inner lining of the chest and abdomen.
The research findings have also identified the molecular mechanism by which asbestos provokes lung cancer that so far has remained difficult to understand.
Asbestos is made of tiny fibres, which are inhaled when one comes in contact with it. This triggers the release of TNF-Alpha, a cytokine, which leads to a series of biochemical events. The release of TNF-Alpha activates NF-KappaB (Nuclear Factor-Kappa B) protein, a transcription factor. This transcription factor protects asbestos-damaged cells against cell death. As a result the damaged cells gets accumulated leading to cancer.
According to the research journal, as Onconase inhibits the same pathways that lead to mesothelial cell malignant transformation and mesothelioma, the drug might show unique promise in preventing and treating mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Alfacell said that Onconase's efficacy in preventing mesothelioma in high-risk cohorts is soon to be tested because of its minimal side effects.
Mesothelioma is a cancerous disease that is becoming more and more common. Affecting the mesothelial cells that make up the mesothelium – the outer lining that protects the body’s major organs such as the heart, stomach and lungs – this form of cancer is a direct result of regular and unprotected exposure to asbestos. The symptoms and the latency period of this disease mean that it is difficult to diagnose. Treatment for mesothelioma is still being investigated through clinical trials and research, but as a rule it responds poorly to the treatments that are currently used.
Exposure to asbestos has been shown to be the cause of the form of cancer known as Mesothelioma. Because of the threat of Mesothelioma, most asbestos has been removed from public and private locations, ever since we have known about the effects of this illness. However, the threat of asbestos exposure does still exist, and far from all cases of this cancer are known, since it takes between 10 and 50 years to exhibit the symptoms of Mesothelioma. So many people who have been exposed years ago are still at risk for this cancer. Parts of the population who may have breathed particles of asbestos as far back as 1955 may still develop Mesothelioma.
The three known types of Mesothelioma are pleural, peritoneal and pericardial. Each attacks a different part of the body, as the names imply. On a technical level, the cancer affects the mesothelium, the sac that lines and protects vital organs, such as the lungs and the heart.
Mesothelioma results in the cells within the lining of the mesothelium becoming cancerous.
The most common form of the illness is Pleural Mesothelioma, which targets the lung cavity, and the protective lining of the lungs. Fluids build up between the lung lining and the chest cavity in this type of Mesothelioma. The patient develops pleural effusion as a result. The symptoms of plural effusion are: shortness of breath, a difficulty in breathing, a persistant cough that frequently involves a bloody discharge, great difficulty in swallowing, high fever and ultimately weight loss.
A rarer form of the disease is Peritoneal Mesothelioma. It affects the stomach and abdominal region. This cancer can spread quickly to other parts of the body, even though it
may only first be present in the abdomen. Tumors form in
this form of the cancer, which press against the wall of the abdomen and the pressure of these tumors causes abdominal pain and swelling. Loss of appetite, nausea, chest pains, bowel obstructions, and difficulty in breathing are the indirect results .
Pericardial Mesothelioma is the rarest of all types of Mesothilioma. This is the form of the disease that targets the heart and the surrounding cavity. Tumors form in this type as well, causing similar symptoms as Peritoneal Mesothelioma, such as the shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain, palpitations and persistent cough.
Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because it exhibits many symptoms that other diseases exhibit. Pneumonia and heart disease both cause shortness of breath,heart disease causes chest pain, etc. If the patient is not aware of any prior exposure to asbestos,Mesothelioma will not be assumed as a cause of these symptoms.That is the reason this cancer is not often pursued by physicians as a cause of these symptoms, unless all other possible diseases have been ruled out.
The types of workers who are most prone to asbestos exposure are shipbuilders, drywall removers, construction workers, firemen, mechanics and demolition workers. They are the most prone to developing Mesothelioma as a result.
Those who are close to the victims of this disease may tragically be at a high risk for developing the disease as well, because asbestos fibers cling to skin, hair, clothing and shoes. The fibers are light, and easily become airborne and eventually can be inhaled by those who are in close proximity to the victims of the disease.
While there are treatments and supportive services that may be put into place for those who suffer from Mesothelioma, there is no known cure. Typically, those who are diagnosed with the disease lose their lives within one year of the diagnosis, and most others follow within the next six months. At best, patients can be kept as comfortable as possible through pain management and, in some cases, respiratory therapy programs.
Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma, but the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.
The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time increases the risk of mesothelioma. However, some individuals with only brief exposures have developed mesothelioma, while not all workers who are heavily exposed to asbestos will develop asbestos-related diseases.
Exposure to or working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for 80 percent of the reported cases in the United States. Some cases, however, are reported for individuals with no known exposure to asbestos. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.
As with most cancers, early detection and diagnosis is key to the best treatment as Mesothelioma will progress through different stages. Early, the cancer will be found in the lining of the chest cavity itself, the lining of the lungs or in the lining of the abdominal cavity. As the cancer progresses, the malignant cancer cells can metastisize or spread to the lymph nodes, diaphragm, or, eventually to other organs and tissues throughout the body.
Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to the accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other partsof the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face. These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions. It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make the proper diagnosis. Make sure you get treated.
Mesothelioma doesn~t strike often, but when it does it~s always life-threatening. The mesothelium is a lining that protects most of our major organs. Mesothelioma strikes this sac and the cells don~t develop normally; instead they are out of control, invading organs and tissue. It~s interesting, and sad to note that many patients have inhaled asbestos fibers in their work.
Unfortunately, with mesothelioma, the cells can metastasize, meaning they spread into other portions of the body. In the past 20 years, the number of reported cases of mesothelioma has actually increased. Even so, doctors still state this form of cancer is rare, with only about 2,000 cases diagnosed annually. Interestingly, people that develop this type of cancer are most often men, with the risk in both genders increasing with age.
The most known cause of mesothelioma is working around asbestos, being reported in as high as 80% of all cases.
However, keep in mind that the other 20% of people diagnosed have never been around asbestos. Asbestos is fibers that contain minerals in a woven material that is then separated into thin threads. Primarily, asbestos is used in industrial products such as roof shingles, insulation, brake linings, etc.
Asbestos causes trouble when tiny particles become airborne. They are then easily ingested by inhalation or swallowing, and in time health problems appear.
Mesothelioma and lung cancer are two of the worst manifestations. Technically asbestos is legal, but many companies are using other materials in construction. Some are even hiring technicians to remove existing asbestos.
Asbestos was first used in the early 19th century and became widely used during World War II. For this reason a lot of American workers worked with it. The highest number of workers at severe risk worked in heating, construction, asbestos mills and mines, and shipyards during the 1940s.
The risk of mesothelioma is much less today since little asbestos is used. When it is, it~s closely controlled, to mitigate the risks. If you have cause to be alarmed, symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath, fluid in the chest causing pain, abnormal weight loss, pain and swelling in the abdomen, blood clotting problems, bowel obstruction, neck and face pain, and trouble swallowing.
It takes anywhere from 30 to 50 years to become symptomatic once you~ve been exposed to asbestos. Be sure to see your doctor if you are worried, but do keep in mind that mesothelioma is a rare disease.
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