Probing for New Insights in the Fight Against "Asbestos Cancer"

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer typically caused by exposure to asbestos, the heat-resistant insulating material that was commonly used in homes, buildings, ships and other applications until the 1970s. Recently, occurrence has been on the rise in many countries because the disease usually develops several decades after exposure. Found most often in the lining of the chest cavity, mesothelioma can be severely painful and is usually lethal. Unfortunately, the most common symptoms are nonspecific to the disease so it is often not identified until the advanced stages—and the average survival time is just one to two years.

Australia was once a leading producer and user of asbestos. Today, it has the world's highest incidence of mesothelioma: identified cases have tripled since the 1980s and are expected to peak in 2010. To advance both treatment and diagnosis, researchers at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Center in Melbourne, Australia, are launching a three-year study of the disease using breakthrough technology from Agilent. Better known as Peter Mac, the center performs innovative research that underpins its work with cancer patients.

Seeking far-reaching benefits

In living cells, patterns of gene activity dictate the properties of tissues—and abnormal activity is intrinsic to cancer. As cancer cells develop, they undergo dramatic DNA rearrangements such as chromosome loss or duplication and the translocation of DNA from one chromosome to another. The ability to decipher these changes helps researchers identify the onset and progression of various types of cancer.

When studying chromosomal copy number changes, researchers commonly use comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). To improve the sensitivity, resolution and flexibility of analysis, Agilent has coupled CGH with oligonucleotide microarray technology. The resulting approach, called oligo array CGH (oligo aCGH), can identify precise areas of DNA gain and loss in cancer cells. The Agilent Human Genome CGH Microarray and companion CGH Analytics software provide a versatile solution that helps researchers explore chromosomal changes on the same technology platform they can use for gene expression analysis.

The Peter Mac project will produce what may be the world's largest dataset of its kind on mesothelioma, and the researchers hope their study will lead to improved treatment and earlier diagnosis. A clearer understanding and interpretation of this devastating disease will be of benefit in other regions, too: the incidence of mesothelioma is on the rise in Europe, Japan and elsewhere.

For more information

To learn more about these and other Agilent life sciences products and resources, please visit the Life Sciences/Chemical Analysis main page.