Malignant mesothelioma often represents a grim outlook for people diagnosed with the condition. However, researchers found in a mouse-based innovative study that treatment from a natural mineral may help prevent this deadly disease from developing.
About Malignant Mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma is a serious disease. Patients may experience a number of serious symptoms of this disease, including:
- Dry cough
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Respiratory problems
- Chest or abdomen pain
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Fluid around the lungs
- Anemia
- Weight loss and loss of appetite
- Difficulty swallowing
- Bowel obstruction
There is currently no cure for malignant mesothelioma. Most patients who develop this condition die within two years of being diagnosed with the disease.
Causes of Malignant Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is commonly caused when a person is exposed to asbestos. Typically, exposure is through inhaling small asbestos fibers. These fibers become lodged in the lining of the lungs, leading to damaged cells, inflammation, scarring and eventually the development of mesothelioma. Different types of mesothelioma develop as fibers travel to different parts of the body. The condition typically develops decades after exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos is recognized as a human carcinogen. It has been banned in 66 of 195 countries. However, deaths due to malignant mesothelioma are expected to rise.
Most people who develop malignant mesothelioma were exposed while working in certain industrial settings and blue-collar jobs. Military service is also associated with a higher incident rate of mesothelioma. Risk factors for developing mesothelioma due to work conditions include:
- Mining at an asbestos mine
- Working at an asbestos-processing plant
- Performing construction work
- Working in heavy industry
- Working on military ships or serving in the military
- Working at buildings built with asbestos-containing materials
- Working in a job where asbestos is disturbed and proper safety measures are not followed
While many former jobs involved direct contact with asbestos, many risk factors for today’s jobs involve being exposed to asbestos that was installed in homes or buildings decades prior. Construction workers and firefighters may come into contact with these dangerous materials. Disaster response workers can also be exposed when asbestos is dislodged during a natural disaster like a tornado or flood.
Additionally, demolition sites may cause workers and people in the surrounding area to be exposed to asbestos if proper abatement procedures are not followed.
Some people can be exposed to asbestos simply because of where they live or spend their time. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral. People who live near large deposits of this mineral face an elevated risk of exposure. Living near a former asbestos mine or contaminated site also places residents in danger.
Another risk factor for asbestos is being exposed to asbestos is via secondhand exposure. Workers who worked in industrial settings in which they were exposed to asbestos often came home with deadly fibers attached to their work clothes. When members of their family washed these clothes, they were often exposed to asbestos and ran the risk of later developing mesothelioma.
About the Study
The pilot study was led by researchers from the University of Technology Sydney. Scientists from the University of Otago, University of Sydney, University of Western Australia and Medical University of Vienna collaborated to determine the effect of zeolite clinoptilolite on malignant mesothelioma.
Clinoptilolite is a naturally-occurring mineral. It has been used for many purposes, including as an odor absorber and additive for food and feed. The USFDA has given the mineral GRAS status.
Researchers tested the theory that the metal-binding properties found in zeolites would capture iron molecules that asbestos fibers release in order to reduce the toxicity of asbestosis. Researchers note that new treatments for malignant mesothelioma and asbestosis have been slow to progress, which makes the current study findings particularly critical. Researchers hope that the success of the study will fast track a Phase I trial.
The study was published in FASETB BioAdvances.
Study Findings
Researchers found that the zeolite clinoptilolite could potentially counteract the carcinogenic effects of mesothelioma and asbestosis. The mineral reduced asbestos-induced cellular damage in cell lines. Additionally, it significantly reduced the development of malignant mesothelioma in mouse models.
Researchers noted that the study was the first successful finding in delaying or preventing the development of malignant mesothelioma in an animal model.
However, researchers noted the difficulty in reproducing animal studies in humans. They were hopeful of getting a green light for a Phase I trial.
