Asbestos Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Asbestos, including details on mesothelioma, lung disease, dangers, effects, risks.

Mesothelioma pathogenesis, facts and expectations.

Jaurand MC

Inserm E 03.37, Faculté de Médecine, 8, rue du Général Sarrail, Créteil 94010 cedex, France. jaurand@im3.inserm.fr

It is the merit of Dr J.C. Wagner and his co-workers to have triggered the research on mesothelioma, going back to 1960 when they published data demonstrating a relationship between mesothelioma occurrence and exposure to asbestos fibres in the Cape Province, in South Africa. From that time, epidemiological and toxicological investigations were performed in order to better define the occupational and environmental background of this pathology, to identify the fibre parameters accounting for the toxic effects, and to understand their mechanisms of action. Improvements in our knowledge in these areas benefited to health issues, by preventing risks associated with exposure to mineral fibres and by recognising the disease. Due to the actual progresses in the fields of biology and biotechnologies, the research on mesothelioma presently focuses on study of the mechanisms of mesothelial cell transformation, and on development of strategies to kill tumour cells. While mesothelioma benefited to fibre toxicology and allowed to improve the management health related issue, it would be a just return if the present advances in different scientific areas will permit a rapid eradication of the disease.

Published 28 December 2004 in Pathol Biol (Paris), 53(1): 41-4.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Asbestos Research Today. All Rights Reserved.