One of the goals of current mesothelioma research is to make it possible for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma earlier. When mesothelioma is diagnosed at an earlier stage, the patient has more treatment options available and a more optimistic prognosis. In recent years, various discoveries have helped doctors identify and diagnose mesothelioma earlier and fairly accurately. The microRNAs associated with pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma are well-recorded and recently, researchers at the Universita Politecnica delle Marche in Ancona, Italy compiled information about the biomarkers found in these types of mesotheliomas and published their findings on survivingmesothelioma.com. Biomarkers are small pieces of information found in blood or other bodily fluids that can indicate the presence of certain diseases.
A microRNA is a small portion of an RNA molecule. Each contains 22 nucleotides. MicroRNA plays an important role in determining how genes are expressed in cells. By determining which microRNAs are most frequently found in the blood and tissue of mesothelioma patients, the researchers recognized them as biomarkers and dubbed the collection “mesomiRs.”
The team used this collection as a starting point for determining reliable biomarkers for mesothelioma. Another is the protein mesothelin. These biomarkers provide what the team called “diagnostic signatures,” which means that they can be used to diagnose mesothelioma. They can also be considered when determining appropriate treatments. However, more research is needed to determine if microRNA can be used as a diagnostic tool with the same reliability as mesothelin. The next step for microRNA research is large scale validation studies to determine whether its presence has enough clinical relevance to be used in mesothelioma diagnosis.
If you are suffering from mesothelioma, you have the right to file an asbestos exposure claim to seek monetary compensation for your damages. To learn more about the process of pursuing an asbestos exposure claim, fill out our online form or call Brookman, Brown, Rosenberg & Sandler at 1-215-569-4000 or toll-free at 1-800-369-0899 to set up your initial consultation with us in our Philadelphia office. Our team of Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyers proudly represents clients in Delaware County, Philadelphia County, and Chester County.
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