Plans for a Centre of Excellence for Mesothelioma research

Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer caused almost solely by exposure to asbestos.

Statistics show that mesothelioma causes around 2,500 deaths a year and it is predicted that there may well be up to 75,000 new cases of mesothelioma by 2050.

These statistics are tragic and as such there is a real need to develop treatments to combat this disease. As such, Chancellor George Osbourne, in the last Government set aside £5million to create a Centre of Excellence for research into mesothelioma.

There are and have been numerous advances in our understanding of mesothelioma, helped in part by organisations such as Mesobank which is the UK’s largest collection of lung tissue samples which have been donated by victims of mesothelioma for the purpose of research. More information can be found at http://www.mesobank.com/

Many Clinical Trials have been and continue to be run in the UK and abroad. Details of which can be found at http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/mesothelioma/Pages/clinical-trial.aspx however until now, we have never before seen a central organisation targeting research and treatment for mesothelioma within the UK.

The Centre will be based at Imperial College London, with Professor Brian Cookson as Director. The Centre intends to see thousands of patients and attract experts in numerous fields who will have access to the latest technologies and analysis platforms. The hope is that these like minded experts will be able to locate the genetic mutation which causes mesothelioma and develop target focused treatments to combat the disease.

Our Anna Burns, Asbestos disease claims Solicitor said “It is fantastic to see mesothelioma research gain a much needed boost from the Chancellor’s grant in the last Government. I feel there is momentum building and real scope for experts to do something amazing in the development of treatment for this awful disease.”

Poole Alcock has over 25 years experience in helping victims of asbestos related conditions and their families to recover compensation. Feel free to contact a member of the team on 01270 762325.