Testing for Mesothelioma

Mesomark is an easily performed blood test that uses an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure the amount of Soluble Mesothelin-Related Peptides (SMRP) in human serum. SMRP is a biomarker that is produced by mesothelioma cells, and this biomarker may be elevated in the serum of patients who have mesothelioma. The detection of the biomarker through a blood test can help attain an early diagnosis, resulting in more treatment options and a better prognosis for patients.
Mesomark is what is referred to as an in-vitro test. In this test, the blood that is drawn from the patient is sent to a laboratory to measure the level of SMRP. This is performed by using monoclonal antibodies that are known to specifically bind to SMRP. Measuring the amount of bound antibodies in the blood indicates the amount of SMRP, and certain levels indicate the presence of mesothelioma.
In addition to detecting the presence of mesothelioma in yet-to-be-diagnosed patients, the Mesomark blood test may also be used to monitor the success of treatments in patients who have already been diagnosed with the disease. These tests will also help determine the next course of treatment.

Is it Successful?

For potential mesothelioma sufferers, Mesomark sounds like a boon. But does it really work? It does, say researchers at New York University, who released a study in February 2007 on the competency of the test.
The study was led by Dr. Harvey Pass of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and NYU's School of Medicine and included a team of additional cardiothoracic experts. The study used the Mesomark assay to test serum and pleural effusions in patients who have already been diagnosed with mesothelioma. Results revealed that those individuals showed "significantly higher" amounts of SMRP in their blood than those in the control group, which including individuals with previous asbestos exposure as well as patients with other forms of cancer.
In a press release issued by NYU, Dr. Pass stated, "As a relatively rare and often misdiagnosed disease, mesothelioma has been somewhat of a mystery to the medical world. For years, we've believed SMRP played a role in the classification of the disease, but there was no accurate way to confirm it.
"Our findings not only show that SMRP is indeed a valid biomarker for mesothelioma, but also justify further research as a prospective screening test," he noted. "As we continue to learn more about this complex disease through tests such as Fujirebio Diagnostics' Mesomark Assay, we might finally be on our way towards improving survival rates and the quality of life for patients diagnosed with this aggressive and often fatal disease."
For more information on the Mesomark test, consult your oncologist, who can also help you find out where the assay is available and if you are a candidate for the test.