Apoptosis and Mesothelioma
Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) is a cancer primarily caused by exposure to asbestos. MPM is extremely difficult to detect early and treat effectively. Mesothelioma develops after asbestos is inhaled or ingested into the body and becomes lodged in the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart. This then causes genetic modifications and cell signaling events that eventually lead to tumor development.
Unlike other cancers that are easier to diagnose and treat, mesothelioma tends to resist apoptosis and also standard chemotherapy. Apoptosis is a biological response that acts to gather cells that are proliferating aberrantly and propelling the development of mesothelioma. In simple terms, it acts to suppress the development of malignant tumors and is also thought to aid response to chemotherapy treatment. Apoptosis also referred to as programmed cell death (PCD).
Mesothelioma seems to cause a loss in the apoptopic function, and inactivation of this process is considered to be one of the six basic markers for cancer. Resistance to apoptosis disables the pathways that can help prevent, suppress or kill tumor cells. Cells can become malignant when the apoptotic pathway is inactivated.
Research has found that this disabling or inactivation is a major contributor to tumor development as well as resistance to common mesothelioma treatments. In addition, high levels of the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins have now been clearly linked with poor prognosis.
Therefore, further genetic studies should be conducted investigating ways to induce apoptosis in mesothelioma patients. Such induction would prevent the proliferation of malignant cells. Current clinical trials are studying different agents and methods that would aid apoptosis in mesothelioma so that tumor progression could be slowed and responses to treatment improved.
For more information about current research, read Novel Mesothelioma Treatment Protects Cells from Apoptosis.
To learn more about apoptosis and how it relates to cancer and mesothelioma treatments, view the following videos:
Apoptosis: How Cell Death Plays a Role in Mesothelioma
