Early detection of mesothelioma is one the most crucial factors in allowing a victim of the deadly disease to have any hope of combating its fateful prognosis. Researchers have recently made discoveries showing changes in the blood of mesothelioma patients that might provide for doctors the ability to diagnose the disease at an earlier stage. Somalogic Inc, a Colorado-based company, announced recently that by using a new screening technology they were able to detect early signs of mesothelioma in patients.

Somalogic’s clinical research director Rachel Ostroff commented that mesothelioma is currently “detected at an advanced stage, where the possibility of cure is minimal.” Furthermore, Ostroff insists that the ability to detect mesothelioma “at an earlier stage would identify patients for early treatment, which may improve their survival and quality of life.” Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos and is responsible for the worldwide deaths of 15,000 to 20,000 people annually.

Somalogic’s test aims to detect mesothelioma through the examination of proteins in the blood. The test relies on bits of genetic material that are stuck to a protein, also known as aptamers. The researchers made use of computer modeling that examined data looking for biomarkers, or significant biological differences. What they found is the existence of biomarkers in those with mesothelioma that were not present in the control group. The control group was made up of people with conditions such as lung fibrosis – which has similar side effects to mesothelioma. The biomarkers examined were highly successful and accurate in detecting mesothelioma. They were also extremely specific – meaning that the researchers were able to rule out those that did not suffer from mesothelioma.

Though Somalogic’s findings are promising, additional testing is required to ensure that the results can be reliably reproduced in diagnostic tests and that they were accurate. Ostroff and her team will be considering various factors that might lead to false positive results. One such factor would be something as simple as the length of time the sample had been sitting on the shelf: “We’ll look at enough of these parameters to make sure we are looking at disease biomarkers.”