- Mesothelioma
- Mesothelioma Facts
- Mesothelioma Symptoms
- Mesothelioma Awareness
- Mesothelioma Lung Cancer
- Mesothelioma Causes
- Mesothelioma Risk Factors
- Mesothelioma Incidence
- Mesothelioma Diagnosis
- Mesothelioma Tests
- Mesothelioma Biopsy
- Mesothelioma Blood Test
- Mesothelioma Pathology
- Mesothelioma Prognosis
- Mesothelioma Life Expectancy
- Mesothelioma Life Span
- Mesothelioma Survival Rate
- Mesothelioma Survivors
- Mesothelioma Death Rate
- Mesothelioma Types
- Pleural Mesothelioma
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma
- Pericardial Mesothelioma
- Well-Differentiated Papillary Mesothelioma
- Malignant Mesothelioma
- Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma
- Biphasic Mesothelioma
- Epithelial Mesothelioma
- Mesothelioma Staging
- Mesothelioma Metastasis
Mesothelioma Blood Test
Because mesothelioma symptoms typically take between 20 and 50 years to appear, most diagnosed cases have already reached the late stages of development. Due to the aggressive nature of mesothelioma in its late stages, treatment options are more often palliative than curative.
With the development of a blood test for mesothelioma, known as Mesomark, doctors have been presented with the ability to diagnose the disease in its earlier stages. The test measures levels of a particular biomarker in human serum, Soluble Mesothelin-Related Peptide (SMRP) for any presence of mesothelioma. The test kit is manufactured by Fujirebio Diagnostics Inc. and it's the first of its kind. In January 2007, the test was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the United States.
Is Mesomark Successful?
Through a 2007 study, researchers from New York University have proven the validity of the Mesomark test in determining the presence of mesothelioma in patients.
Dr. Harvey Pass' team of oncologists at the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and NYU's School of Medicine and an additional team of cardiothoracic experts put the Mesomark assay to the test. Results from their tests showed mesothelioma patients had "significantly higher" amounts of Soluble Mesothelin-Related Peptides (SMRP) than those of the control group. To help obtain a proper balance, the members of the control group had previously been exposed to asbestos.
Dr. Pass found in the results of his study that SMRP is a valid biomarker for mesothelioma. He also believes that the Mesomark Assay will improve survival rates of mesothelioma patients.
Mesomark Mesothelioma Test
SMRP is a biomarker for mesothelioma cells that are found in elevated levels of patients who are afflicted with mesothelioma. The test allows patients to obtain an earlier diagnosis, which enables patients to be available to a wider range of treatment options. Mesomark itself is a very easily performed test that puts the patient at no discomfort.
Mesomark measures monoclonal antibodies found in the blood of a mesothelioma patient. Blood samples are taken from patients and sent to a laboratory to measure the amount of SMRP that is present. Doctors can then calculate the amount of SMRP that is present in a patient's blood by measuring the amount of antibodies that are present.
Along with determining if mesothelioma is present within the patient, Mesomark is used to determine the effectiveness of treatment a patient is receiving. It can also help doctors decide whether or not the current treatment is effective and if a different form of treatment is necessary.