How Asbestos Fibers Generate Cancer in Human Cells - Study at the Ohio State University Earth Sciences Department

> Beginning the late 1800s, asbestos was mined and used in many different industries all over North America, especially before the World War II. Examples of industry use include:

- Automotive industry uses asbestos in vehicle brakeshoes and clutch pads.
- Building & construction industry uses asbestos for strengthening cement as well as sound absorption, roofing, insulation and fireproofing.
- Shipbuilding industry uses asbestos to insulate hot water pipes, boilers and steampipes... (Read More)

> About 2000 - 4000 Americans are diagnosed with Malignant Mesothelioma each year, and about 66% of those cases are of Pleural Mesothelioma. Pleural Mesothelioma occurs when Cancer hits the lining of the lungs, also known as the 'Pleura.' The Pleura is a Sac which houses the lungs, and consists of a thin membrane called the 'mesothelium.' The mesothelium is a vital part of the lungs because it enables them to expand and contract when breathing by secreting a fluid. This fluid is located in the lungs and inside of the rib cage. If the Pleura or the Pleural fluid becomes damaged with Cancer, it makes it very hard for the patient to breathe, thus shortness of breath is a common symptom of Pleural mesothelioma... (Read More)

(December 25th, 2010)

Ohio State University's Science division students believe they have something big in hand when it comes to investigating the relationship between asbestos fibers and cancer in human cells. The ongoing molecular studies of Cancer cells will bring about a thesis and results in the coming years, but the students hope to aid in development of new cancer treatments, especially for those caused by exposure to Asbestos. An example of such a disease is Mesothelioma lung cancer and Asbestosis.

The scientists at the University are using atomic force microscopes to investigate how a single Cancer cell reacts with specific receptors of protein on surfaces of cells. They think asbestos fibers trigger a series of chemical reactions and events when they invade Cancer cells that then leads to the development of asbestos related diseases many years later.

Eric Taylor, an Earth Sciences doctoral student at Ohio State University says the study allows the scientists to observe what is happening to Cells that are cancerous on a molecular level. He quotes, "We’re looking at what molecules are involved in the chain of events when the fiber touches the cell. Does the binding occur over minutes, or hours? And what processes are triggered?"

Fibrous forms of Asbestos were used in industrial and manufacturing products since the late 1800s, and were banned by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the early 1980s. They were very popular during this time period because of their durability and resistance to heat. However, Asbestos is still present in many different materials. Infact, the U.S. Department of Labor estimates over 1.3 million employees are exposed to Asbestos every year on the job. This type of asbestos exposure is known as occupational exposure. Environmental exposure to Asbestos is also possible because Asbestos is a naturally occuring mineral in soils and bedrocks. The scientists at the Ohio State University have so far focused on Crocidolite or blue asbestos. Crocidolite asbestos is part of the amphibole group of Asbestos minerals and was banned from industrial use in the early 1980s. Industrial uses of crocidolite asbestos included products such as thermal insulation and ceiling tiles. The image above is of an Asbestos cement hut that contains about 40% Crocidolite asbestos and can pose great danger for both occupational and environmental asbestos exposure.

Going forward, the Ohio State University scientists hope to study all 6 different forms of Asbestos fibers, apart from Crocidolite asbestos. Some of these types of Asbestos fibers get dissolved in the lungs, and thus do not pose dangers of developing Asbestos related diseases such as Asbestosis and Mesothelioma lung cancer. Others however get stuck to the cells, especially those on high concentrations and can pose danger for developing Asbestosis and Mesothelioma. Steven Lower, associate professor of Earth Sciences at the university quotes, "For the first time, this will give us data on biological activity that should help policymakers determine which forms of asbestos are the most dangerous. The hypothesis we’re testing is that binding of cell surface receptors to asbestos fibers triggers a signal event, which initiates the cancer."

Steven who is also a member of the School of Environment and Natural Resources, adds, "There seems to be something intrinsic about certain types of asbestos, blue asbestos in particular, that elicits a unique signal, and it triggers inflammation, the formation of pre-malignant cells and, ultimately, cancer." The first protein that the Scientists will study is the epidermal growth factor receptor which is present on the surface of every human cell. The scientists realize that if they study the intricate binding process of the Asbestos fibers with proteins residing on human cells will help them be able to develop the know-how of stopping such reactions, and thus stopping the development of asbestos related diseases. Taylor says the purpose of this study is to stop the development of any sort of diseases, especially mesothelioma lung cancer and Asbestosis after someone is exposed to environmental or occupational asbestos. This study is supported by the National Science Foundation.

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