In a recent meeting between the Regional Health Council and the Asbestos Steering Committee a new research initiative devoted to the study of mesothelioma was started.

The meeting was attended by the Regional Assessor to Health Antonio Saitta, the Regional Assessor to the Environment Alberto Valmaggia, the Director of the Alessandria Hospital Giovanna Baraldi, the Director of the Alessandria Local Health Authority (ASL) Gilberto Gentili, the head of the Piedmont Centre on Asbestos and Health Massimo D'Angelo, the Casale Monferrato mayor Concetta Palazzetti as chairman, representatives of asbestos victims’ associations, the Regional Environmental Protection Agency (ARPA) and trade unions.

The research project, envisaged by the Associazione Famigliari Vittime dell’Amianto (Association of Asbestos Victims and Family Members) who provided 3.8 million euros funds, will be managed by the Alessandria Hospital as coordinating unit; the University of Turin and the Oncology Department, which includes research units at the San Luigi Hospital in Orbassano, the Candiolo Clinical Research Institute and the Molinette Hospital in Turin, will be collaborating partners.

Other involved institutions are the Mario Negri Research Institute on Drugs and Therapeutics, the Romagna Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, the Department of Translational Medicine and the Department of Health Sciences of the University of Eastern Piedmont.

This new project will entail a wide range of research activities, but the key role will be that of the Alessandria and Casale Monferrato Hospitals through their Mesothelioma Functional Unit (UFIM), which will be strengthened to ensure its operation over time.

UFIM was established in 2012, joining wards and services from the Casale Monferrato and Alessandria hospitals, to coordinate and integrate the expertise of the various specialists involved in the diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma through multidisciplinary guide-lines. Its goal is to provide patients with global care, including psychological care and personal assistance, from the moment diagnosis is suspected through all stages of the disease.

To provide patients with the most advanced treatments access to national and international clinical trials is ensured: UFIM is a unique tool to carry out clinical research on mesothelioma, to improve knowledge of this disease and to assess new drugs safety and efficacy. Lastly, UFIM aims to provide patients and their family members with complete and up-to-date information on the disease, state of the art of care and research, and patients’ rights through its website: MAIDASOLI.