scholarly journals A Novel Panel of Serum Biomarkers for MPM Diagnosis

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Bonotti ◽  
R. Foddis ◽  
S. Landi ◽  
O. Melaiu ◽  
C. De Santi ◽  
...  

Exposure to asbestos is the main cause of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), a highly aggressive cancer of the pleura. Since the only tools for early detection are based on radiological tests, some authors focused on serum markers (i.e., mesothelin). The aim of this study was the evaluation of new serum biomarkers to be used individually or in combination, in order to improve the outcome of patients whose disease would be diagnosed at an earlier stage. Serum and plasma were available from 43 subjects previously exposed to asbestos and 27 MPM patients, all being epithelioid type. All the new markers found differentially expressed in MPM and healthy subjects, by proteomic and genomic approaches, have been validated in the serum by the use of specific ELISA. The combined approach, using tools of genomics and proteomics, is found to be highly innovative for this type of disease and led to the identification of new serum markers in the diagnosis of MPM. These results, if confirmed in a larger series, may have a strong impact in this area, because early detection of this cancer in people at high risk could significantly improve the course of the disease and the clinical approach to an individualized therapy.

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 3932
Author(s):  
Dannel Yeo ◽  
Laura Castelletti ◽  
Nico van Zandwijk ◽  
John E. J. Rasko

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive cancer with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. MPM originates from the mesothelial lining of the pleura. Mesothelin (MSLN) is a glycoprotein expressed at low levels in normal tissues and at high levels in MPM. Many other solid cancers overexpress MSLN, and this is associated with worse survival rates. However, this association has not been found in MPM, and the exact biological role of MSLN in MPM requires further exploration. Here, we discuss the current research on the diagnostic and prognostic value of MSLN in MPM patients. Furthermore, MSLN has become an attractive immunotherapy target in MPM, where better treatment strategies are urgently needed. Several MSLN-targeted monoclonal antibodies, antibody–drug conjugates, immunotoxins, cancer vaccines, and cellular therapies have been tested in the clinical setting. The biological rationale underpinning MSLN-targeted immunotherapies and their potential to improve MPM patient outcomes are reviewed.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1138
Author(s):  
Martina Schiavello ◽  
Elena Gazzano ◽  
Loredana Bergandi ◽  
Francesca Silvagno ◽  
Roberta Libener ◽  
...  

Although asbestos has been banned in most countries around the world, malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a current problem. MPM is an aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis, so it is crucial to identify new markers in the preventive field. Asbestos exposure induces oxidative stress and its carcinogenesis has been linked to a strong oxidative damage, event counteracted by antioxidant systems at the pulmonary level. The present study has been focused on some redox-sensitive transcription factors that regulate cellular antioxidant defense and are overexpressed in many tumors, such as Nrf2 (Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2), Ref-1 (Redox effector factor 1), and FOXM1 (Forkhead box protein M1). The research was performed in human mesothelial and MPM cells. Our results have clearly demonstrated an overexpression of Nrf2, Ref-1, and FOXM1 in mesothelioma towards mesothelium, and a consequent activation of downstream genes controlled by these factors, which in turn regulates antioxidant defense. This event is mediated by oxidative free radicals produced when mesothelial cells are exposed to asbestos fibers. We observed an increased expression of Nrf2, Ref-1, and FOXM1 towards untreated cells, confirming asbestos as the mediator of oxidative stress evoked at the mesothelium level. These factors can therefore be considered predictive biomarkers of MPM and potential pharmacological targets in the treatment of this aggressive cancer.


2018 ◽  
Vol 136 ◽  
pp. 150-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarek Kamal Motawi ◽  
Nagwa Ibrahim Shehata ◽  
Mahmoud Mohamed ElNokeety ◽  
Yasmin Farid El-Emady

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfonso Cristaudo ◽  
Rudy Foddis ◽  
Alessandra Bonotti ◽  
Silvia Simonini ◽  
Agnese Vivaldi ◽  
...  

Background and aims Increased concentrations of soluble mesothelin-related peptides (SMRP) have been found in sera of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) even if a relatively high rate of false positives has hampered their clinical use as a tumor marker. Individual SMRP levels could be affected by polymorphic elements. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms within the promoter-5'UTR regions and SMRP levels in healthy asbestos-exposed individuals and patients suffering from MPM. Methods The promoter-5'UTR regions of the mesothelin gene were genotyped in 59 healthy asbestos-exposed subjects and 27 MPM patients. SMRP levels were measured using a commercially available ELISA kit. Results Two novel polymorphisms, an A>C variant (called New1) and a C>T variant (called New2), were identified. In healthy subjects, high SMRP levels were associated with the C-variant of New1, with an average 1.62-fold increase compared with AA homozygotes (p<0.0001). Most of the C-allele carriers had SMRP levels above the threshold of 1.00 nM. We set two different SMRP cutoffs on the basis of the combined New1+New2 genotypes. Conclusions New1-New2 genotypes could be employed as markers for setting individualized and appropriate thresholds of “normality” when SMRP is used in surveillance programs of asbestos-exposed people.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (11) ◽  
pp. 1320-1331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina N Gillezeau ◽  
Maaike van Gerwen ◽  
Julio Ramos ◽  
Bian Liu ◽  
Raja Flores ◽  
...  

Abstract Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare but aggressive cancer, and early detection is associated with better survival. Mesothelin, fibulin-3 and osteopontin have been suggested as screening biomarkers. The study conducted a meta-analysis of the mean differences of mesothelin, osteopontin and fibulin-3 in blood and pleural samples. PubMed searches were conducted for studies that measured levels of mesothelin, osteopontin and fibulin-3 in participants with MPM compared with malignancy, benign lung disease or healthy participants. Thirty-two studies with mesothelin levels, 12 studies with osteopontin levels and 9 studies with fibulin-3 levels were included in the meta-analysis. Statistically significant mean differences were seen between MPM patients and all other comparison groups for mesothelin blood and pleural levels. Statistically significant differences in blood osteopontin levels were seen between participants with benign lung disease and healthy participants compared with participants with MPM, but not when comparing participants with cancer with MPM participants. There were not enough studies that reported osteopontin levels in pleural fluid to complete a meta-analysis. Statistically significant differences were seen in both blood and pleural levels of fibulin-3 in MPM patients compared with all other groups. On the basis of these results, mesothelin and fibulin-3 levels appear to be significantly lower in all control groups compared with those with MPM, making them good candidates for screening biomarkers. Osteopontin may be a useful biomarker for screening healthy individuals or those with benign lung disease but would not be useful for screening patients with malignancies.


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