Key Takeaways
- Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have developed a new blood-based test for detecting mesothelioma that targets chromosomal rearrangements — swapped sections of DNA in cancer cells — rather than single-point genetic mutations.
- This approach is promising because mesothelioma shows a low number of single-point mutations, making traditional blood-based cancer detection methods less effective. Chromosomal rearrangements provide a more reliable signal.
- The study, published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology Clinical and Research Reports, used genome sequencing to identify chromosomal alterations, then created lab-made DNA probes designed to match and attach to those specific changes — which were then detectable in the patient’s blood.
- Currently, the only definitive way to diagnose mesothelioma is a tissue biopsy. This new blood-based test could supplement or eventually reduce the need for biopsies — especially for patients whose health has deteriorated too much to undergo the procedure.
- Earlier detection means more treatment options. Many mesothelioma patients are diagnosed after the cancer has already progressed, limiting options like surgery. A reliable blood test could catch the disease at an earlier, more treatable stage.
Researchers from the Mayo Clinic have come up with a new test to detect mesothelioma that may be promising for diagnosing mesothelioma at an earlier stage. This can lead to more treatment options being available.
The new test to detect mesothelioma is homes in on swapped sections of DNA in the cancer cells. These are called chromosomal rearrangements. This could end up resulting in earlier detection of mesothelioma cancer cells.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that begins in the lining of certain organs in the body, most commonly the lining of the lungs. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can get lodged in certain other organ linings as well, such as the lining of the heart, abdomen, and testicles. It is important to know the symptoms of mesothelioma to try to detect the cancer as early as possible. Some common symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, cough, weight loss, and fever. About 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year in the United States, making it rare. Despite its rarity, it is particularly aggressive.
Common Treatments
Common treatment methods for mesothelioma include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. In more recent years there has also been a focus on targeted therapies.
It is often difficult to detect mesothelioma with blood tests as the cancer shows a low number of single-point genetic mutations. Chromosomal rearrangements allow for this new test to detect mesothelioma to be an option.
New Test to Detect Mesothelioma Study
A study was done that was published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology Clinical and Research Reports in which a team of doctors utilized genome sequencing to find chromosomal alterations in the DNA of cancer cells. The next step was to create small pieces of DNA that were made in a lab to match and attach to the chromosomal changes, which they then searched for in the patient’s blood.
The only current way to diagnose mesothelioma is through a tissue biopsy. This new test to detect mesothelioma is promising for future research and early detection. Sometimes a patient’s health is too deteriorated to take a tissue biopsy, so this new method could be helpful.
Also, in many circumstances, mesothelioma is detected once it has already progressed, causing less treatment options to be available. For instance, a mesothelioma patient may not be able to undergo surgery if the cancer has progressed too much.
In all, early detection of mesothelioma is important when it comes to helping the patient have the best possible quality of life.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, treatment can be costly. Seeking and obtaining compensation for your mesothelioma diagnosis can help with things like medical expenses and lost wages. We are here to help. For more information or for a free case evaluation, call us at (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form. We help mesothelioma victims in Pennsylvania get the compensation they deserve along with providing information along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new Mayo Clinic mesothelioma test?
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic developed a blood-based test that detects mesothelioma by identifying chromosomal rearrangements — sections of DNA in cancer cells that have been swapped or rearranged. The team used genome sequencing to find these alterations, then created synthetic DNA probes that match the rearranged sequences. When these probes are introduced to a patient’s blood sample, they attach to the matching chromosomal changes — confirming the presence of mesothelioma cancer cells.
Why is this test different from existing blood tests for mesothelioma?
Most blood-based cancer tests look for single-point genetic mutations — small changes at individual spots in the DNA. Mesothelioma, however, has a low number of these single-point mutations, which is why traditional blood tests have been unreliable for detecting it. The Mayo Clinic test takes a different approach by targeting chromosomal rearrangements — larger structural changes in the DNA that are more common in mesothelioma. This provides a stronger, more detectable signal in the blood.
Could this test replace biopsies?
Not yet — but it could reduce the need for them. Currently, a tissue biopsy is the only way to definitively diagnose mesothelioma. However, some patients’ health has deteriorated too much to undergo a biopsy safely. A reliable blood-based test could provide diagnostic confirmation in those cases — and could also serve as a screening tool for early detection in people with known asbestos exposure histories, potentially catching the disease before symptoms even appear.
Why does early detection matter for mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer with a limited treatment window. Patients diagnosed at earlier stages have access to more treatment options — including potentially curative surgeries — that are no longer available once the cancer has spread. The five-year survival rate for early-stage mesothelioma is approximately 24%, compared to roughly 7% for stage 4. A blood test that detects mesothelioma before symptoms appear could dramatically expand the number of patients eligible for aggressive, life-extending treatment.
How does this test relate to other mesothelioma blood tests?
Several blood-based diagnostic approaches are being developed or are already in use:
- MESOMARK — the only FDA-approved blood test for mesothelioma, which detects soluble mesothelin-related peptides (SMRPs)
- Calretinin and mesothelin biomarkers — a 10-year study found these two biomarkers together are the most reliable predictors of eventual mesothelioma diagnosis
- Fibulin-3 and osteopontin — additional biomarkers being researched
- This Mayo Clinic test — takes a completely different approach by targeting chromosomal rearrangements rather than protein biomarkers
Together, these approaches may eventually form a comprehensive blood-based screening panel for mesothelioma.
What should I do if I have a history of asbestos exposure?
If you have a history of asbestos exposure, inform your doctor and ask about available monitoring and screening options — including blood tests for mesothelioma biomarkers. While the Mayo Clinic chromosomal rearrangement test is not yet widely available, existing tools like MESOMARK and imaging can help detect the disease earlier. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, call (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation.
