Paul Kraus is not the only long-term survivor of malignant mesothelioma. There are others. We have heard about them and spoken to some over the years. What is fascinating is that many of these malignant mesothelioma survivors have something in common - they have all taken steps to improve or enhance their immune system. Some used alternative or complimentary therapies (with guidance from licensed clinicians) while others participated in clinical trials of immune therapy.

This raises the question - does the immune system play a role in controlling malignant mesothelioma? Paul Kraus' experience and those of other long-term malignant mesothelioma survivors suggests that such a role may be possible. In other sections of this website we present case histories of malignant mesothelioma survivors who were diagnosed with either pleural mesothelioma or peritoneal mesothelioma. In some of the pleural mesothelioma case histories, doctors discuss the role that the patient's immune system may have played in their extremely long survival.

In 1986, an article appeared in a medical journal that discussed this very issue of malignant mesothelioma and immunity.(1)  This research focused on the immune responses of 118 healthy people compared to 20 patients with malignant mesothelioma and 375 long-term asbestos workers who were cancer-free.  The researchers wanted to know if there were any measurable differences in the immune responses of the mesothelioma patients.  Their findings demonstrated a relationship between the immune system and malignant mesothelioma.  For example:

·       The number of total T (T11+) and T-helper (T4+) cells were normal in asbestos workers with cancer, but were significantly reduced in patients with mesothelioma.  T cells orchestrate, regulate and coordinate the overall immune response.