A drug called HXR9 is showing promise and giving hope to mesothelioma patients. It works to prevent cancer cells from bypassing the process of apoptosis, a process where unhealthy cells shutdown and die.
The developer of the drug, Professor Richard Morgan of the University pf Bradford’s Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, made the following statement,
Both the immune system and nearby healthy cells send signals instructing damaged and unhealthy cells to undergo apoptosis, which is like programmed 'cell suicide'. But cancer cells have developed a wide range of strategies to ignore these instructions. There's a range of drugs which try to force apoptosis in different cancers, but this is the first one to work in mesothelioma.
The studies of the drug showed that human mesothelioma tumors in mice stopped growing after taking the HXR9 drug for three weeks. The HXR9 drug targets the HOX genetic family, genes that are switched back on in the body when cancer is present.
The dangers of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma are cause for increased awareness and the search for new treatments. In some areas, though, there are still dangers out there.
At Bailey Cowan Heckaman PLLC, we are optimistic that new treatment options will make it possible for mesothelioma patients to have hope. It is our goal to help our clients through the legal ramifications of the difficult process they are enduring. If you were exposed to asbestos and developed mesothelioma, contact our firm today. We can work to determine if the exposure was the exact cause and help you seek compensation if you have a claim.
If the HXR9 drug proves to be an effective form of treatment, patients may have the hope for which they have been searching and they may be finally free from the concerns of mesothelioma cancer.
