CTC Test Used to Track The Progress of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is deadly type of cancer that affects the lining of the body’s internal organs, typically the pleura (surrounding the lungs) or the peritoneum (surrounding the stomach). This cancer develops very slowly but often remains undiagnosed until the disease reaches its later, more difficult stages. Sadly, there currently is no cure for mesothelioma, only treatment plans to reduce pain and increase the patient’s quality of life.

There are more than 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma diagnosed each year. The only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to the formerly widely used material known as asbestos. Asbestos was used heavily for many years following the industrial revolution, but has since been restricted or banned in many parts of the world. As mesothelioma symptoms may not manifest for several years, or even decades, after the initial asbestos exposure, it was difficult for medical professionals to determine the cause of this deadly disease. It wasn’t until the 1970s that the general American public became aware of the dangers of asbestos, after many thousands of people had already been exposed. Though asbestos is no longer used, many buildings still contain the hazardous material as it is also very dangerous to remove.

Since becoming more informed of the cause of mesothelioma, researchers are now working on finding more advanced and specific ways to assess and treat this disease. Many new treatment plans are being developed to combat the specific ways that mesothelioma spreads. Additional research is being conducted to better diagnose and analyze this type of cancer.

Recent research shows that CTC tests may be used to better determine the status of mesothelioma in patients. The researchers, from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have reportedly developed a test that can allow them to identify as few as three CTCs (circulating tumor cells) in non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Though lung cancer and mesothelioma are actually very different diseases, this new technique may also be applied to mesothelioma. This will be very beneficial as it may help determine what treatment method to use. Also, an additional benefit is that this test is non-invasive.

CTCs that are detected through this test can indicate if a tumor has spread to another location of if the tumor is likely to spread.

This test uses the “high-throughput matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry single nucleotide polymorphism analysis (MALDI-TOF MS SNP).” This allows the researchers to see any genetic mutations (common signs of cancer cells), or other biomarkers, from only a few malignant cells that can be applied to CTC samples.

Researchers use this data to track the progress of genetic changes, giving them a more accurate look at the progression of the cancer (be it lung cancer or pleural mesothelioma).

In addition to being able to better track the spread of cancer and being able to better determine the most appropriate form of treatment, the CTC test offers a glimmer of hope for developing a cure for mesothelioma.

Currently, the most common forms of mesothelioma treatments are based from other forms of cancer treatment. These common treatments are:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Surgery

Typically these treatments are used in conjunction as a multi-modal approach. Though this can help maintain a quality of life for patients, it is not a curative method. However, the CTC test offers the opportunity to gather new data about mesothelioma and how it spreads. This information can be applied to developing new medications, possibly leading to a cure for mesothelioma.

Further development of this technique can potentially improve the lives of thousands of people with mesothelioma and lung cancer.