Mesothelioma Treatment: New Suicide Cell Approach to be Researched -- MesoLink.org -- 07-06-04

Doctors from a British hospital are working on a treatment that could cause cancerous cells to self destruct without affecting surrounding healthy ones. Dr Claus Jacob is one of the leading professionals working on this new approach, which was first initiated several years ago.

Dr Jacob, from the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, stated that cancer therapy in the past has been focussing on toxic treatments that destroyed healthy cells along with the cancerous ones. However, the treatment that they are working on works as a catalysts and mimics a natural human enzyme that speeds up the destruction of affected cells but without causing damage to healthy ones.

If this approach is ultimately successful it could put an end to many of the risks associated with treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, both of which are commonly used to treat mesothelioma. The research team carefully analysed the natural human defence system in order to develop this treatment.

It is not yet known whether this treatment will be effective on all types of cancer, and this is something that will be determined over time and through trials and research. Animal tests have already been carried out and will continue for some time. The results of these animal tests will then determine the possible effectiveness of the treatment, and human testing can then begin.

The research team have stated that available treatment through the use of this approach may still be some years away, but that the tests carried out so far have proven encouraging.