Researchers in the United States have made advances in nanomedicine through the development of a new drug delivery system for those suffering mesothelioma, and other types of lung cancer. Mesothelioma is a serious illness of the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos fibres.
As a potential alternative to traditional chemotherapy, the drugs are inhaled, rather than injected. Animal and laboratory tests have shown that this approach may reduce the damage done to other organs, whilst improving the effectiveness of treatment. Further, the research has shown this method to be particularly effective, with the amount of anticancer drugs delivered to the lungs rising to 83%, compared to 23% with conventional chemotherapy.
At this stage, the research has only undergone laboratory and animal testing, nevertheless it marks a significant breakthrough for mesothelioma treatment. The treatment will require further testing before it may be used for human clinical trials. It is hoped that one day in the future, mesothelioma treatment in Australia will be able to use such findings to assist those suffering mesothelioma in Australia fight this terrible illness
