Evaluating Benign and Malignant Lung and Pleural Masses in Asbestosis and Mesothelioma

Exposure to asbestos in the workplace is the most frequent cause of Mesothelioma disease.  Continued investigation is crucial if we are ever to come across a cure.  One fascinating study is named, "Exposure to Asbestos and Human Illness." By Becklake, MR - New England Journal of Medicine Vol. 306, no. 24, pp. 1480-1482. 1982.  Here is an excerpt: "For the duration of the past two decades, ill well being resulting from exposure to asbestos has been the subject of extensive observation and analysis -- probably a lot more intensive than analysis on any other environmental agent. In the most direct target organ, the lung, in its pleural coverings, there is a wide spectrum of response soon after exposure not only acute and chronic inflammatory diseases but also cancer of these organs could possibly occur. Study has been stimulated by the belief that the far more complete our understanding of the mechanisms of pathogenesis, the much better will be the capacity to control the continued use of this mineral in today's complex technologic world."

Yet another fascinating study is named, "Analysis of amphibole asbestos in chrysotile and other minerals." By Addison, J, Davies, LST - Annals of Occupational Hygiene [ANN. OCCUP. HYG.]. Vol. 34, no. two, pp. 159-175. 1990.  Here is an excerpt: "Chrysotile asbestos and countless other mineral raw supplies include amphibole minerals which may be asbestiform. There is presently no analytical method which will detect the presence of amphibole at sufficiently low limits to preclude the possibility of inadvertent exposure of persons handling these supplies to hazardous airborne fibre concentrations. A strategy of chemical digestion of chrysotiles has been tested with regard to the determination of their tremolite contaminant content and this has been applied to a range of chrysotile and other minerals. The technique improves the sensitivity of the amphibole analysis at least 10-fold giving detection limits of .01-.05% in chrysotile by X-ray diffractometry."

A different fascinating study is named, "Computed tomography in the diagnosis of asbestos-related thoracic disease" by Gamsu, Gordon MD Aberle, Denise R. MD Lynch, David MD, BCh - Journal of Thoracic Imaging - January 1989 - Volume four - Problem 1.  Here is an excerpt: "Abstract - High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) has improved the radiologist's ability to detect and potentially quantify the abnormalities of asbestos exposure. It has proved to be more sensitive than chest radiography for detecting pleural plaques and for discriminating in between pleural fibrosis and extrapleural fat. HRCT is also alot more sensitive than chest radiography or conventional CT for detecting parenchymal abnormalities in asbestos-exposed persons. The HRCT findings that correlate with other parameters of asbestosis incorporate (1) septal and centrilobular thickening, (two) parenchymal fibrous bands, (three) honeycomb patterns, (4) subpleural density persisting in the prone position, and (5) subpleural curvilinear lines that persist in the prone position. CT has an very important role in evaluating benign and malignant lung and pleural masses in asbestosis."

An additional study is known as, "Effect of Long-Term Removal of Iron from Asbestos by Desferrioxamine B on Subsequent Mobilization by Other Chelators and Induction of DNA Single-Strand Breaks" by Chao C. C. and Aust A. E. - Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics - Volume 308, Concern 1, January 1994, Pages 64-69.  Here is an excerpt: "
Abstract - The long-term removal of iron from crocidolite or amosite by desferrioxamine B (DF) at pH 7.5 or five. was studied. Crocidolite or amosite (1 mg/ml) was suspended in 50 mM NaCl at pH 7.5 or five. with the addition of 1 mM DF for up to 90 days. While the rate of iron mobilization decreased with time, iron was continuously mobilized from both forms of asbestos at pH five. or 7.five. The amount of iron mobilized from crocidolite was at least twice that mobilized from amosite at either pH. Iron was mobilized extra rapidly from crocidolite at pH 5. than at 7.5 for the initial 15 days, but at later times the quantity getting mobilized at pH 7.five became equal to or slightly greater than that at five.. For amosite, the mobilization at pH 5. was consistently greater than that at pH 7.five. Next, the impact of iron removal from asbestos by DF on subsequent iron mobilization by a second chelator (EDTA or citrate) and on induction of DNA single-strand breaks (SSBs) was studied. Asbestos, treated for up to 15 days with DF at pH 7.5, was washed to get rid of ferrioxamine and excess DF, then incubated with EDTA or citrate (1 mM). The rates of iron mobilization from both forms of asbestos by a second chelator decreased as much more and extra iron was removed by DF. Induction of DNA SSBs also decreased, reflecting the unavailability of iron to catalyze the harm. The results recommend 3 factors. First, if long-term mobilization of iron from asbestos occurs in vivo as has been observed in vitro, it could possibly play a role in the lengthy-term biological effects of asbestos. Second, extra rapid mobilization of iron from asbestos fibers might happen when the fibers are phagocytized by cells and maintained in phagosomes exactly where the pH is 4.-5.. Third, treatment of asbestos by iron chelators, such as DF, prior to exposure to cultured cells or complete animals, could possibly decrease the biological effects of asbestos resulting from iron, but could not entirely eradicate them."

We all owe a debt of gratitude to these fine researchers for their tough work and dedication.  If you found any of these excerpts interesting, please read the studies in their entirety.