mesothelioma histology

Researchers recently discovered the potential of a cholesterol drug, introduced in the 1980s, which may offer mesothelioma victims an effective treatment for the fatal and incurable cancer. The drug, lovastatin, used to treat and control high cholesterol levels in patients.

At first, scientists discovered that in the initial studies of the drug, which goes back 20 years, had an unexpected and very powerful effect on killing cancer cells in humans. At that time, however, the anti-cancer effect was considered too risky to continue studying because of the extremely high doses are needed to be given to a cancer patient. Study investigators put on hold, according to press reports, until recently when scientists in Nashville, Tennessee, clinic started providing the drug to patients with pleural mesothelioma.

Details of lovastatin and combat cancer and its potential

Researchers have given little attention to lovastatin as a treatment for mesothelioma cancer despite a stage-four patients had received lovastatin treatment of melanoma in 2000 and currently remains free of cancer, almost nine years later. Although researchers are not sure they can find the same success of the patient melanoma, the use of lovastatin may potentially reduce or delay production of mesothelioma cancer cells, which can kill a person in just one year after symptoms appear.

A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that cholesterol induces drug apoptosis in mesothelioma cells. Apoptosis is also described as programmed cell death, according to the player and Cardiovascular Disease Research Group. Apoptosis occurs when a stimulus the flow cytometric analysis of DNA content of cells of mesothelioma cancer treated with lovastatin and determined that a sufficient potential treatment for mesothelioma.

What is Lovastatin?

Lovastatin is part of a group of drugs known as inhibitors HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). The drugs reduce the production of cholesterol in the body. Often prescribed for patients as an oral pill that is taken in low doses – once every four weeks.
Lovastatin side effects have been reported, which have not been studied in patients with mesothelioma, however, according to the Library National Medicine (NLM) of the side effects include:

* Urticaria, rashes and itching

* Loss of appetite

* Flu-like symptoms

* Nausea and pain in the upper right side of stomach

* Extreme tiredness

* Yellowing of skin and eyes

* Lack of energy

* Difficulty breathing and swallowing

* Swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles and

* Lower leg and calf muscles

* Muscle pain, tenderness or weakness,

* Fever

* Bleeding or bruising

* Hoarseness

* Constipation

What to do if diagnosed with mesothelioma

deadly asbestos may have had the condition for 20 or more years without signs of cancer in his body.

Once researchers began to discover the link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma asbestos was banned in the United States and around the world. However, shipments of asbestos are being imported United States and millions of Americans remain at risk of exposure because of the prevalence of asbestos in many homes, apartments, schools, universities, hospitals and government buildings.

Those who have had cancer of mesothelioma or feel they may have been a victim of asbestos exposure have the capacity to consult a legal professional for a potential mesothelioma lawsuit. Such cases may seem overwhelming to a victim, but potentially provide monetary compensation by the large costs associated with receiving medical treatment of mesothelioma. Consult a mesothelioma lawyer is often a free legal service and may add peace of mind for mesothelioma victims, their families and friends.

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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Cholesterol Drug Lovastatin Being Studied As Potential Mesothelioma Treatment