4. Genetic Predispositions: When Your DNA Has a Say
Genetics are your life’s blueprint—your DNA can influence how tall you grow or what color your eyes are. But what’s surprising is that it can also play a role in how mesothelioma affects you. No, not everyone with certain genes will get mesothelioma, but those who do might see a unique prognosis path etched for them.
When we think of genetics, the first thing that comes to mind might be heredity. But let’s swerve a bit. Think about genetic mutations, specifically the ones that can occur because of external factors like asbestos exposure. These mutations could change the game, making treatments either super-effective or a complete flop.
Zoom in further into BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) tumor suppressor gene mutations. This specific alteration has been shown to influence mesothelioma prognosis positively. We’re talking about an increase in survival rates. The reason? It seems these gene mutations make the cancer cells more sensitive to treatments like chemotherapy.(4)
