Another reason for mesothelioma patients to hope: Researchers at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson (Philadelphia, PA) now have "genetic proof that mitochondrial stress is important for driving tumor growth," according to lead researcher Michael P. Lisanti, M.D., Ph.D., in an article on the center's website.
What does this mean for people with mesothelioma? Haven't we been reading articles for years about the cancer-fighting properties of blueberries, carrots, pomegranates, and everything that's green and leafy?
“Antioxidants have been associated with cancer reducing effects—beta carotene, for example—but the mechanisms, the genetic evidence, has been lacking,” Dr. Lisanti said. “This study provides the necessary genetic evidence that reducing oxidative stress in the body will decrease tumor growth.”So what does that mean for mesothelioma sufferers? The Kimmel website explains that
Currently, anti-cancer drugs targeting oxidative stress are not used because is it commonly thought they will reduce the effectiveness of certain chemotherapies, which increase oxidative stress.
The article goes on to name drugs currently used to treat diabetes and malaria, and says they can now be used to "cut off the fuel supply to cancer cells." Dr. Lisanti summarizes:
“Now that we have genetic proof that oxidative stress and resulting autophagy are important for driving tumor growth, we should re-consider using antioxidants and autophagy inhibitors as anti-cancer agents.”
For mesothelioma sufferers, this new study is especially welcome. This terrible disease caused by asbestos exposure has very little to offer in the way of good news. And good news in one aspect of the fight against mesothelioma is good news for all involved: legal, medical, and social advocates for mesothelioma victims all fight towards the same goal of justice, health, and prevention.
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