Ohio State University scientists hope to discover how asbestos fibers form cancer in human cells. Although clinical research applications are years away, researchers hope their work will contribute to new treatments and the development of drugs that increase ultimately the number of mesothelioma survivors.
The OSU research involves the use of atomic force microscopy, which will allow researchers to observe what happens after exposure to asbestos at a molecular level. In particular, researchers hope to be able to see how a single asbestos fiber binds with a receptor protein on the surface of a cell. Eric Taylor, a doctoral candidate in earth sciences at Ohio State, explained that they are "looking for what molecules are involved in a chain of events when the fiber touches the cell. Does the binding occur on minutes or hours and what triggered the process? "
the study will begin with a focus on blue asbestos, a once common form of asbestos used in ceiling tiles and insulation that has been banned in most of the United States in 1980, but it is still a risk to many people today. Scientists hope ultimately attend the six forms of asbestos fibers. The first protein to be studied is the receptor for epidermal growth factor. This receptor is present on the surface of every human cell.
Understanding the intricacies of the binding process between the mineral asbestos and proteins could help researchers understand how to prevent or even reverse the interaction that currently causes serious asbestos-related diseases. Conditions commonly associated with asbestos exposure include lung cancer, and asbestosis mesothelioma, a cancer in large end portion which is formed in the mucous membrane of the lungs or the stomach.
Although the motivation of this project is to find a way to intervene and prevent diseases related to asbestos after exposure to asbestos, we hope that this research will open the door to new treatment options and eventually a cure or key remission of mesothelioma patients.
