SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Jan. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (Meso Foundation) announced that it has awarded an additional $1 million to researchers at top national and international universities and institutions devoted to finding a cure for mesothelioma. To spur the research critically needed to develop treatments for this long- overlooked, asbestos-related cancer, the Meso Foundation annually funds the top research projects from around the world through its competitive grant process. The recent award brings the funds the Foundation has awarded to over $5 million to develop better treatment options for mesothelioma sufferers.

This year, The Meso Foundation received forty grant applications and through the organization's scientific peer review process, ten grants were chosen on the basis of scientific innovation and excellence.

As Mary Hersdorffer, NP, the Meso Foundation's Medical Liaison, explains, "The areas funded are targeted therapies that might halt the development of mesothelioma cells, immunotherapy, novel transport systems to assist chemotherapy drug entry into the cell membrane, gene therapy to look at new therapeutic targets, and creating a library of mesothelioma cell lines promoting further research and access that can be distributed to the scientific community."

Mesothelioma is a malignant tumor that aggressively and painfully invades the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart until it destroys the vital organs. Research to understand mesothelioma and to develop effective treatments has lagged far behind other cancers. As a result, diagnosis is difficult and often delayed. Worse, current attempts to treat the disease generally have only limited affect. The consequence is that mesothelioma patients on average survive only 4 to 14 months.

Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure - even in small amounts. Asbestos was heavily used for decades in construction, industry, the Navy, even household products and appliances.

There is no safe level of exposure, and asbestos is still common in homes, schools and -- as the aftermath of 9/11 has shown -- in office buildings. About 3,000 Americans die from mesothelioma each year and its incidence is rising. Yet, for decades, the disease and its victims have been ignored.

"For all those battling the disease today, the need is urgent," says Chris Hahn, Executive Director of the Meso Foundation. "And many thousands more will be diagnosed in the coming years because of exposures that are too late to prevent. But we believe there is a cure. By providing these grants to some of the most promising research projects around the world, the Meso Foundation is spearheading the commitment to stop this cruel disease."

In addition to funding critically-needed mesothelioma research, the Meso Foundation provides patients and families with the most up-to-date information on mesothelioma treatments, clinical trials and medical referrals. The Meso Foundation hosts the annual International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma, which brings together doctors, researchers, patients and their families, and other concerned individuals to share information and advance meso research. The Foundation also leads the effort in Washington, D.C. to enlist federal support for mesothelioma research funding and legislation banning the further use of asbestos.

For more information about research funds and for listing of awards granted please contact: Chris Hahn at (805) 252-8955 or Joel Schnur at (212) 489-0600 x204.

For more information about the Meso Foundation, visit www.curemeso.org