Sea Cucumber Could Help Improve Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Treatment

November 10, 2016  |  Mesothelioma

Researchers in Austria recently announced that a substance found in the Caribbean Sea cucumber could eventually help treat malignant pleural mesothelioma. The findings were published in the October 15 issue of Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, a journal published by the American Association for Cancer Research.

A New Use for an Established Drug

The researchers found that the drug trabectedin, a form of chemotherapy used for ovarian and other types of cancer, is also effective against malignant pleural mesothelioma. This is a disease that attacks the pleura, found in the lining of the lungs, abdomen and heart.  Trabectedin is the generic name of the drug Yondelis, which is derived from the cucumber. It can also be synthetically manufactured for therapeutic purposes.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is typically treated with a combination of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, its tumors will usually develop a strong resistance to treatment, resulting in the death of most patients. But the researchers found that combining trabectedin with other drugs inhibits the formation of the bcl-2 protein, which prevents the death of cells. As a result, the drugs are able to to destroy malignant cells. Researchers found that the combination was effective in not only cell cultures but in animals as well.

Yet Another Danger Associated with Asbestos

There is only one known cause of malignant pleural mesothelioma, and that is the inhalation or ingestion of asbestos fibers. If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with this terrible disease, the mesothelioma attorneys with Baron & Budd may be able to help. Please complete our contact form or give us a call at 855-280-7664 as soon as you can to learn more or to schedule a confidential consultation.

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