New Study Finds BAP1 Test Could Improve Diagnostic Accuracy for Mesothelioma, According to Surviving Mesothelioma

Scientists say adding BAP1 testing to the current panel could distinguish more cases of pleural mesothelioma from lung cancer.

Raleigh, NC (PRWEB) July 27, 2016

Top mesothelioma researchers say they have found a better way to help doctors tell the difference between malignant pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer. Surviving Mesothelioma has posted an article about the new research. Click here to read the story now.

Doctors at the University of Hawaii, New York's Langone Medical Center, and Queen Medical Center in Honolulu are advocating adding a test for the tumor suppressor protein BAP1 to the current immunohistochemical panel for distinguishing mesothelioma from lung cancer.

"All 45 non-small cell lung cancer biopsies stained positive for nuclear BAP1, whereas 22/35 (63%) of malignant mesothelioma biopsies lacked nuclear BAP1 staining, consistent with previous data," reports lead investigator Dr. Michele Carbone.

Writing in the journal Oncotarget, Dr. Carbone and his colleagues point out that pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer produce many of the same symptoms and current biomarker tests are sometimes inconclusive or confusing.

"Although lung cancer and mesothelioma may be similar in many ways, it is vital for patients and clinicians to know which malignancy they are dealing with in order to develop a treatment plan to optimize the odds of mesothelioma survival," says Surviving Mesothelioma Managing Editor Alex Strauss.

For a better understanding of the role BAP1 may plan in mesothelioma diagnosis and the findings of the new study, see Lung Cancer or Mesothelioma? BAP1 May be Key, now available on the Surviving Mesothelioma website.

Carbone, M, et al, "Positive nuclear BAP1 immunostaining helps differentiate non-small cell lung carcinomas from malignant mesothelioma", July 18, 2016, Oncotarget, Epub ahead of print, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27447750

For nearly ten years, Surviving Mesothelioma has brought readers the most important and ground-breaking news on the causes, diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma. All Surviving Mesothelioma news is gathered and reported directly from the peer-reviewed medical literature. Written for patients and their loved ones, Surviving Mesothelioma news helps families make more informed decisions.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2016/07/prweb13575472.htm