Healthcare (Commonwealth Union) – Researchers in Glasgow are inviting participants to join a study aimed at unraveling one of cancer’s enduring mysteries: why mesothelioma, a deadly disease linked to asbestos exposure, often takes decades to emerge.
The Meso-ORIGINS project, funded by Cancer Research UK and led by the University of Glasgow, seeks to develop methods for early detection and treatment of mesothelioma while exploring potential ways to prevent the disease altogether.
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that forms in the pleural space, the lining around the lungs, as a result of asbestos exposure. However, only a small percentage of individuals with pleural inflammation caused by asbestos go on to develop the condition. The disease progresses at varying rates depending on where asbestos fibers become embedded within the lungs.
In Scotland, only about 44.3% of mesothelioma patients survive a year or more after diagnosis, highlighting the critical need for earlier intervention and improved treatments.
The research team is particularly looking for individuals in the Glasgow area with non-cancerous lung inflammation and potential asbestos exposure to participate in the study.
Participants will be recruited through Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Gartnavel General, and Queen Elizabeth University Hospitals, which are among 28 sites across the UK involved in the project. The study will run over the next two years, offering eligible patients the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research.
By analyzing tissue samples and gathering crucial data, scientists hope to identify those most at risk for developing mesothelioma, as well as uncover genetic or biological markers that may signal susceptibility to the disease.
Dr Alexandrea MacPherson, who is the Meso-ORIGINS Project Manager at the University of Glasgow, says “Mesothelioma is a disease of time and space – after initial exposure to asbestos it can evolve over decades at different times and different places within the pleural space.
“We want to understand why mesothelioma takes so long to develop and to discover new ways of predicting the disease so it can be caught early.
“Once diagnosed there are very few effective treatments so discovering the signs before it begins, and finding a way to prevent it developing, is key.”
Researchers of the study indicated that mesothelioma is a highly aggressive cancer with a very low survival rate, often taking over four decades to manifest. Early warning signs such as persistent coughing, chest pain, and fatigue are frequently misdiagnosed, as they mimic symptoms of more common illnesses.
Cancer Research UK reports that the UK has the world’s highest rate of mesothelioma, with men disproportionately affected due to occupational exposure. In Scotland, the disease is notably more prevalent along the West Coast, where approximately half of the 200 new cases diagnosed annually in the country occur.
The industrial application of asbestos peaked between the years of 1950 and 1980, particularly in areas like Glasgow and Clydebank. These regions were hubs for industries such as shipbuilding along the River Clyde, where asbestos was a commonly used material.
Studies supported by Cancer Research UK confirm that there is no safe level of asbestos exposure. This finding prompted the introduction of stricter health and safety measures to protect future generations, and the organization continues to fund research aimed at combating this devastating illness.
Although asbestos use has been banned in the UK since the early 1990s, the long latency period of mesothelioma has led to a rise in cases in recent years. Furthermore, asbestos remains legal and in use in several other countries.
Dr. Catherine Elliott, Director of Research at Cancer Research UK, indicated that despite asbestos being banned decades ago, mesothelioma cases are on the rise, highlighting the urgent need for more effective treatments.
Dr. Elliott further indicated that they are thrilled to support this research project, which seeks to uncover why mesothelioma can take years to develop following asbestos exposure.
