Welsh Scientist Working on New Meso Treatment

February 26, 2006 - Dr Zsuzsanna Tabi, of the School of Medicine at Cardiff University, has received a grant of £139,000 to fund her research of a new type of treatment for mesothelioma, notes an article in The Western Mail.

The June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund grant, awarded by the British Lung Foundation, will allow Tabi to investigate the possibility of developing immune therapy for mesothelioma using the patient's own immune cells to attack the tumor cells.

Citing the fact that there are currently few treatment options for those with the dreaded asbestos-caused disease, Dr Tabi said, "At the moment, there is no cure for mesothelioma and treatment is mainly palliative. This research award from the British Lung Foundation is a valuable opportunity to expand our research into this vital yet understudied area, and hopefully provide the basis for a radical new type of treatment."

June Hancock, for whom the fund is named, died in 1997 of mesothelioma after being exposed decades earlier when, as a child, she played outside in the asbestos dust generated by the JW Roberts asbestos factory.  Her mother also died of the disease.

June’s case against Roberts in 1995 was the first suit filed by an individual who hadn’t worked directly with asbestos.  Her victory paved the way for many more lawsuits brought about by those who suffered from secondary exposure.
"We are so delighted with this award - research into mesothelioma is desperately needed if we are to eradicate this extremely cruel and painful disease,” said Hancock’s daughter, Kimberley Stubbs.
"My mum, June, paved the way for justice - and now this research award in her name and in her loving memory paves the way for a cure."