The beneficial effects of chemotherapy on asbestos related mesothelioma are thought to be limited but a new approach adopted by medical experts in Japan could promote future optimism and greater success rates in the treatment of this most debilitating condition.
Chemotherapy has been commonly used in the treatment of asbestos related mesothelioma for decades with the most common form, pemetrexed (Alimta) regularly being used to treat patients throughout the UK, but often, patients do not respond well to this treatment.
The Japanese research underlines that RNA interference technology (RNAi) could result in malignant mesothelioma cells becoming more susceptible to this form of treatment. This could ultimately improve mesothelioma survival rates.
Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a molecule which essentially acts as a messenger, transporting and translating instructions from a person’s DNA which controls critical cellular processes, from metabolism to replication and death.
Experts based at the Institute of Health Biosciences at Japan’s Tokushima University, who conducted the study uncovered that by adding bespoke molecules to the RNA, they could increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy agents, giving rise to greater prospects of the treatment succeeding. Specifically, the experts looked to downregulate an enzyme known as thymidylate synthase or TS in mesothelioma cells to increase their sensitivity to chemotherapy treatments such as pemetrexed.
The process adopted by experts involved them adding new RNA into mesothelioma cells using a micro sized bubble known as a “liposome”.
This new form of programming increased the anti-tumour effects of chemotherapy, therefore restricting mesothelioma cell growth. The results were just as encouraging in the testing conducted on live mice with mesothelioma. Once the mice had received a combination of pemetrexed and the RNA- manipulating liposome, mesothelioma tumour progression decreased significantly, increasing survival rates compared to animals who had received the chemotherapy treatment alone.
Leading author of the study, Amr S.Abu Lila stated:-
“Our findings emphasize the pivotal relevance of RNAi as an effective tool for increasing the therapeutic efficacy of pemetrexed, a cornerstone in the treatment regimes of malignant pleural mesothelioma.”
They also added that the research they have conducted opens the door to the possibility of adopting novel therapeutic strategies, making use of the liposome they developed with pemetrexed to increase survival rates for mesothelioma sufferers.
Asbestos Justice will continue to monitor all updated developments in the treatment of this asbestos related cancer and will keep you updated.
If you require assistance in pursuing a claim for mesothelioma compensation or believe you or a family member have a valid, potential asbestos claim, 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 :- Abu Lila, AS, et al, Downregulation of thymidylate synthase by RNAi molecules enhances the antitumour effect of pemetrexed in an orthotopic malignant mesothelioma xenograft mouse model”, 1st February 2016, International Journal of Oncology.