Ontario, Canada – June 23, 2008 – According to a recent study, the presence of a certain immune cell improves the prognosis for patients undergoing an extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Researchers hope the results will lead to new avenues of effective mesothelioma treatment.

As recently reported on SurvivingMesothelioma.com, a study published in the Journal of Thoracic Cardiovascular Surgery has discovered a relationship between the presence of CD8+ immune cells and the survival of pleural mesothelioma patients that underwent an EPP. Canadian researchers performed an immunohistochemical analysis of 32 EPP specimens to assess the prevalence of T-cell subtypes, such as CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+, as well as various other subtypes. Data from the specimens was then compared to the survival of the corresponding patients to observe any relationship between cell counts and survival rates.

Researchers found that higher levels of CD8+ correlated with improved survival rates, progression-free survival, and lower occurrence of mediastinal lymph node metastases. The authors of the study concluded that the stimulation of CD8+ immune cells is a potential therapeutic strategy to improve the outcome and survival for pleural mesothelioma patients.

CD8+ cells belong to a group of T-lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) that seek and kill infected tumor cells, virus-infected cells, and other damaged or dysfunctional cells. Once CD8+ lymphocytes reach their target cell, they cause the target cell to emit proteins that attract macrophages (another type of white blood cell). The macrophages then surround and kill the affected target cells.

The results of the study are promising for mesothelioma treatment, as natural approaches have shown to increase CD8+ counts in several unrelated studies. In a study conducted at Harvard, supplementing with vitamins A, B, C, and E proved to increase CD8+ levels. Another study observed an increase in CD8+ levels with supplementation of extracts of green tea polyphenols. In addition, consumption of the medicinal mushroom agaricus subrufescensis has also shown to elevate CD8+ lymphocytes.

Further research is necessary to achieve a clearer understanding of how natural approaches may improve survival rates for those suffering with mesothelioma. Currently, there are no clinical studies being conducted to determine the efficacy of natural immune-boosting substances for mesothelioma patients.

By Michelle Whitmer

This entry was posted on Monday, June 23rd, 2008 at 10:12 am and is filed under Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Treatment. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed. Responses are currently closed, but you trackback from your own site.