Results have been published and appear promising for the development of a genetic treatment for mesothelioma; the deadly, asbestos-related form of cancer.

The Asbestos Diseases Research Institute in Sydney has put a novel genetic treatment through its paces, using mini bacterial cells as a platform to carry micro RNA into mesothelioma tumours.

The mini bacterial cells are used to protect the payload as it finds its way to the target site, where it can cause a particular gene to re-express itself, which lets tumours grow unchecked when it is turned off.

The new approach is based on previous findings that low levels of micro RNAs in mesothelioma cells contribute to the rapid growth of the cancer.

Senior researcher Dr Glen Reid said they had some astounding results from tests so far.

“We find that the growth of the tumours is strongly repressed,” he said.

“Over the course of the experiment, which was about a month in duration, we found that the tumours didn't increase in size at all

“So this is quite an exciting discovery, that micro RNA's themselves can inhibit the growth of a tumour in an animal.”

Currently a mesothelioma diagnosis comes with an average life expectancy of just over a year, with current treatments able to extend that up to 15 months but rarely more.

As asbestos was used as a common building and insulation material for decades in Australia and other countries, the cases of mesothelioma can only increase – already it has claimed 10,000 Australian lives and is predicted to kill another 25,000 more in the next forty years.

The Asbestos Diseases Research Institute will hope to get closer to reducing those numbers when it begins early stage clinical trials of the new treatment, expected to start in a few weeks’ time.

It is always a long path for research to release; insiders on this project put it at about 4 years before tests might be complete. There is, however, a high level of optimism for an effective outcome from the ADRI team.

“There is small ray of hope with this study in tissue culture in the lab and in an experimental model,” Dr Reid said.

“There is no reason to think that the same thing won't be effective in tumour cells in a patient.”

More information is available from the full report, accessible here.