Researchers at the Boston Children’s Hospital have identified a protein produced by certain tumors that inhibits the spread of cancer, including mesothelioma, and has the potential to be developed into a lung cancer treatment.

Currently there is no therapy that has been approved to inhibit the migration of cancer cells from the original site of the cancer.

Researchers have found that metastic tumors prepare landing places for additional cancerous cells in other organs by secreting proteins that encourage tumor growth. This new study now shows non-metastic tumors secrete protein called prosaposin that inhibits metastasis by blocking the growth of blood vessels.

When the protein was tested on mice that had cancerous tumors metastisis was reduced significantly and survival time in the mice increased by 30%.

With no cure having been found for mesothelioma, and most meso treatments being focused on extending time of survival, one would assume that treating meso might be a great usage for this protein. To this point ridding someone of mesothelioma isn’t a reality but until that day comes containing the disease caused by asbestos exposure is incredibly important in increasing time of survival. Hopefully this newly found protein will help in containing mesothelioma until we find a cure.

Learn about the legal options for mesothelioma victims.

A meeting in Eveleth, Minnesota will be held to figure out what is causing the high rate of mesothelioma, the lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure.

Hopes are that a survey conducted by the University of Minnesota will study 1200 taconite workers and 800 of their spouses. Dr. Jeff Mandel of U of M will be mailing letters to invite people from the area to participate in the study. Letters will be sent to people regardless of whether they are suspected to have contracted mesothelioma or not. This will provide a random sample of the workers.

Participants in the study will get an x-ray, blood test, and breathing test to screen for mesothelioma.

Get more mesothelioma information.

Last week a Rio Vista, CA man was awarded $8.4 million dollars in a mesothelioma lawsuit against Hamilton Materials Inc., a company who manufactures and distributes an asbestos containing joint compound.

Last year Jack Reynolds, a veteran of the Navy and former drywaller, was diagnosed with mesothelioma that was caused by asbestos exposure. Reynolds sued Hamilton Materials Inc., back in May for producing the “Red Dot” brand joint compound that contained asbestos that led to his diagnosis of mesothelioma.  

Learn moer about mesothelioma legal options.

Research is now showing that employees in hair salons could be at a higher risk to develop mesothelioma. 

Traditionally asbestos victims have often been associated with occupations such as factory, mine, and construction workers but hair dressers may be just as susceptible to mesothelioma.

The research suggests that asbestos fibers become lose in these salons then travel through hair dryer vents and make their way into the air in the salon. The  mesothelioma research also states that there have been several mesothelioma cases of salon employees dying of mesothelioma before the age of 60 over the last 30 years.

Learn more about mesothelioma research.

Earlier this month the Ohio Legislature introduced a new bill suggesting that September be declared Mesothelioma Month.

The bill is being pushed by the State Representative Kenny Yuko. The hope is that designating September as Mesothelioma Month will raise awareness of mesothelioma allowing earlier detection in diagnosing the disease as well as motivating the medical community to work towards a cure and more effective treatments.