Mesothelin May Play Multiple Roles in Spread of Mesothelioma, Other Cancers

Mesothelin, a type of protein present on the surface of some cells in the human body, can trigger mesothelioma and other types of cancer, including ovarian, pancreatic and abdominal cancers. Given of the vague biological purpose of this protein, it occurs that  it is excessively present in certain types of cancer cells that doctors would look to it for warning signs.

Cancer experts are assessing the part of mesothelin in hastening the occurrence of cancer, as well as, its “potential usefulness” as a signal of cancer for doctors who are trying to diagnose a patient’s disease, reports AboutMesothelioma.net.

While treatments are available for mesothelioma patients, still, no known cure has been invented as of yet. In the U.S. alone, around 3,000 people are found to be suffering from malignant mesothelioma. That’s on a yearly basis. The main cause is asbestos exposure at a workplace or during military service.

FDA Grants Orphan Drug Status To Amatuximab (MORAb-009)

Amatuxinab is granted orphan drug status.

OncLive.com reports that the Food and Drug Administration had granted orphan drug status to Amatuximab, which is used to treat patients diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma, the most common form of mesothelioma. Amatuximab (MORAb-009) is a monoclonal antibody which targets mesothelin, a cell surface glycoprotein linked to cell adhesion is manifested on specific types of cancer, including mesothelioma cancer, as well as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, epithelial ovarian cancer, and lung adenocarcinoma.