Traditionally, mesothelioma patients have been treated with some combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. However, mesothelioma patients in Pennsylvania and throughout the country may have additional options to help them treat or overcome their conditions. Researchers are looking into ways to use immunotherapy in combination with surgery to help individuals who have pleural mesothelioma. The goal is to block the connection between PD-1 proteins found on T-cells and PD-L1 proteins that are found in mesothelioma cells.
When the two interact, the body doesn’t know that the mesothelioma cells are dangerous. However, when they aren’t allowed to interact, the immune system can work more effectively in getting rid of the dangerous cells. Gene therapy can be used to prompt the immune system to go after the dangerous mesothelioma cells aren’t present in a person’s body. This type of therapy can also be used to repair cells that have been damaged or weakened by the illness.
Finally, virotherapy can cause the immune system to attack mesothelioma cells while avoiding those that are still healthy. The use of viral vectors allows medical professionals to insert modified genes that can strengthen the immune system or provide other assistance to slow the spread of mesothelioma. Viral immunotherapy uses viruses to activate the immune system into fighting off an intruder that looks similar to mesothelioma cells.
A person who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma due to conditions at their workplace might be entitled to compensation from his or her employer. This may be true if an employer required a person to work in close proximity to asbestos without providing proper protective equipment. Individuals may be entitled to compensation for their medical bills and lost wages. An attorney may be able to help an individual learn more about his or her legal rights in a workplace injury case.