Could this trial bring us closer to a viable silicosis treatment?

Cases of silicosis — a potentially fatal lung disease caused by inhaling dangerous silica fibres, predominantly from cutting artificial stone benchtops — started to drastically emerge from 2015, with hundreds of workers across Australia now with silicosis from heavy levels of silica exposure. Now, researchers from The Alfred believe patients are a step closer to a viable treatment for the disease, as they embark on a trial of a medication that has shown promise in laboratory settings.

“This is a preventable lung disease, but unfortunately young workers in their 20s, 30s and 40s have been diagnosed,” Dr Ryan Hoy, respiratory and sleep disorders physician in The Alfred Occupational Respiratory Clinic, said. “Silicosis has been off the radar in many middle- and high-income countries for years, so there are no established treatments to halt or reverse it.” Hoy added: “It is a really critical time for patients with silicosis to undertake research to identify treatment for this condition.”

Based on laboratory research, Hoy said that some drugs could halt the progression of the disease. And now, thanks to a three-year research funding commitment from Zaparas Lawyers, Hoy and his team can embark on a trial. “The funding from Zaparas Lawyers is going to allow us to commence a world-first trial of a medication that has shown promise in the laboratory setting that could be applied to people with this condition,” Hoy said.

On the funding commitment and the work of Hoy and The Alfred, Zaparas Lawyers Partner Yianni Zaparas said it has allowed the firm to “go beyond legal representation and actively invest in the health and safety of the communities we serve”. “It reaffirms our dedication to advocating for improved workplace safety and also contributing to systemic changes,” Zaparas said. “The fact that it is a world-first trial and us wanting to support and contribute to this important research is a driving factor.

“To contribute in any way to the improvement of the wellbeing of individuals suffering from silicosis potentially around the world is humbling. It’s more humbling than the business of law.” An immunosuppression treatment for silicosis is the next phase of the trial, and as to the potential impact of this work, Hoy said: “This study may be very beneficial for workers in Victoria but also around Australia and potentially has international implications as well.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Don Wu. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.