Asbestos related mesothelioma is not only the rarest form of asbestos related disease, it can often be extremely difficult to treat and diagnose.
Delays in diagnosing the as yet incurable asbestos related condition can in turn to late treatment, thus limiting mesothelioma sufferers’ prognosis. Such delays can lead to restrictions in respect of potential clinical trials available to sufferers.
Back in October of 2016, Asbestos Justice reported on a number of key clinical trials available to mesothelioma patients in the UK. In an attempt to improve the diagnostic process for those affected by this terrible asbestos related disease, a groups of experts from Scotland has commenced work on the “Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers in the Rational Assessment of Mesothelioma (DIAPHRAGM) trial. This multi-centre mesothelioma clinical trial will contrast various biomarkers in the blood of sufferers with a view to assessing which markers are the most clinically useful.
Details of the new trial are contained within the British Medical Journal’s open access online journal. This confirms that the team of researches aim to involve up to 120 pleural mesothelioma patients along with at least 480 other patients with different forms of pleural disease such as asbestos related pleural thickening. A further 109 patients who have been exposed to asbestos in the past but who had not been diagnosed with mesothelioma, will also be reviewed as part of the trial.
Identical sampling and storage of blood serum and plasma will be conducted across 22 trial centres across Scotland.
The samples will then be tested using what is known as the SOMAscan proteomic assay. This is a test which measures various protein biomarkers, which can indicate the present of asbestos related, pleural mesothelioma. In addition, the serum samples will also be subjected to an ELISA test for a protein known as fibulin-3.
The next step will involve the researches reviewing each patient’s biomarker level with a view to comparing their clinical characteristics.
Head researcher, Selina Tsim of the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Glasgow states:-
“Blood levels will be compared with paired pleural fluid levels and malignant pleural mesothelioma tumour volume (using MRI) in a nested substudy.”
The ultimate aim of the research will be to create what the team of experts called a large “bioresource” of mesothelioma markers which can be used by treating physicians across the globe in their efforts to diagnose and then eventually treat this incurable asbestos related disease.
At present, a protein known as “mesothelin” is considered to be the primary biomarker in the diagnosis of asbestos related mesothelioma. However, mesothelin is not only present in those suffering with the condition as its presence can be elevated due to other reasons.
The study should assist many as whilst a thoracoscopy procedure can be used as a valuable tool in assisting in the diagnosis of the condition, this is not always available to sufferers. This procedure involves extracting mesothelioma tissue samples with the aid of a thin, flexible viewing tube.
The fact that this invasive diagnostic tool is unavailable to all, enhances the importance of the research into biomarkers.
Asbestos Justice will continue to keep you informed of any updated developments relating to diagnostic and treatment trials, covering asbestos related mesothelioma.
If you require assistance in pursuing a mesothelioma claim or believe you have a valid asbestos claim for any other asbestos disease, then please contact us today on our freephone number 0800 038 6767. Alternatively, head over to the ‘Contact Us’ page, complete the form and we will be in touch.
Source: Tsim, S, et al, “Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers in the Rational Assessment of Mesothelioma (DIAPHRAGM) study: protocol of a prospective, multicentre, observational study”, November 24, 2016, BMJ Open, Tsim, S, et al, “Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers in the Rational Assessment of Mesothelioma (DIAPHRAGM) study: protocol of a prospective, multicentre, observational study”, November 24, 2016, BMJ Open,