@article {pmid37254056,
year = {2023},
author = {Ito, F and Kato, K and Yanatori, I and Maeda, Y and Murohara, T and Toyokuni, S},
title = {Matrigel-based organoid culture of malignant mesothelioma reproduces cisplatin sensitivity through CTR1.},
journal = {BMC cancer},
volume = {23},
number = {1},
pages = {487},
pmid = {37254056},
issn = {1471-2407},
abstract = {Organoids are a three-dimensional (3D) culture system that simulate actual organs. Therefore, tumor organoids are expected to predict precise response to chemotherapy in patients. However, to date, few studies have studied the drug responses in organoids of malignant mesothelioma (MM). The poor prognosis of MM emphasizes the importance of establishing a protocol for generating MM-organoid for research and clinical use. Here, we established murine MM organoids from p53[+/-] or wild-type C57BL/6 strain by intraperitoneal injection either with crocidolite or carbon nanotube. Established MM-organoids proliferated in Matrigel as spheroids. Subcutaneous injection assays revealed that the MM-organoids mimicked actual tissue architecture and maintained the original histological features of the primary MM. RNA sequencing and pathway analyses revealed that the significant expressional differences between the 2D- and 3D-culture systems were observed in receptor tyrosine kinases, including IGF1R and EGFR, glycosylation and cholesterol/steroid metabolism. MM-organoids exhibited a more sensitive response to cisplatin through stable plasma membrane localization of a major cisplatin transporter, copper transporter 1/Slc31A1 (Ctr1) in comparison to 2D-cultures, presumably through glycosylation and lipidation. The Matrigel culture system facilitated the localization of CTR1 on the plasma membrane, which simulated the original MMs and the subcutaneous xenografts. These results suggest that the newly developed protocol for MM-organoids is useful to study strategies to overcome chemotherapy resistance to cisplatin.},
}

@article {pmid37253383,
year = {2023},
author = {Nash, A and Firth Née Phan, T and Creaney, J},
title = {New Markers for Management of Mesothelioma.},
journal = {Seminars in respiratory and critical care medicine},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1055/s-0043-1769097},
pmid = {37253383},
issn = {1098-9048},
abstract = {In this review, we provide an update on the status of cancer biomarkers for the clinical management of pleural mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer associated with asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose, and response to treatment is transient, even with recently adopted immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) combinations. Identification of mesothelioma-specific biomarkers could facilitate early diagnosis and tailor treatment strategies. Mesothelioma is characterized by frequent loss or alteration of the tumor suppressor genes cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) and BRCA1-associated protein-1 (BAP1). Accumulating data show these genes and/or their related protein products will be valuable tissue-based biomarkers for mesothelioma. Loss of BAP1, CDKN2A, p16, or methylthioadenosine phosphorylase provide pathologists with a reliable means of differentiating between mesothelioma and reactive mesothelial cell proliferations. This can aid diagnosis in difficult cases and is requisite for the identification of the new pathological entity malignant mesothelioma in situ. However, limited progress in identifying clinically useful soluble biomarkers in this cancer type has been made, with mesothelin remaining the benchmark. To date, results from studies to identify predictive biomarkers for ICI response have been disappointing. A recent retrospective study demonstrated BAP1 loss was predictive of improved survival following combination pemetrexed- and platinum-based chemotherapy. Validation of this result could have important clinical implications. Clinical trials aimed at targeting therapy based on biomarker expression are generally in the early phase setting, with overall results being moderate. The identification of biomarkers for mesothelioma remains a key research question due to their potential to improve patient outcomes in this deadly cancer.},
}

@article {pmid36965809,
year = {2023},
author = {Lieberman-Cribbin, W and Taioli, E},
title = {Epidemiologic roadblocks in studying elongated mineral particles and mesothelioma risk.},
journal = {Environmental research},
volume = {230},
number = {},
pages = {115086},
doi = {10.1016/j.envres.2022.115086},
pmid = {36965809},
issn = {1096-0953},
mesh = {Humans ; Silicates ; Iron ; *Occupational Exposure/adverse effects/analysis ; *Air Pollutants, Occupational/analysis ; *Lung Neoplasms/chemically induced/epidemiology ; Minerals/analysis ; *Mesothelioma/chemically induced/epidemiology ; *Asbestos/toxicity ; },
abstract = {Elongated mineral particles (EMPs) are a type of both occupational and environmental exposures that have generated interest in the scientific community due to their potential health effects. Their possible association with mesothelioma represents an area of concern. We provide an overview of the current challenges around epidemiological assessments of EMP exposure and mesothelioma risk, including methodological aspects that need to be addressed when designing and analyzing a study on EMP exposure and mesothelioma. Future work is needed to investigate the relationship between EMPs and mesothelioma, focused on an improved definition of EMP exposure and accounting for other concomitant sources of carcinogen exposure.},
}

Humans
Silicates
Iron
*Occupational Exposure/adverse effects/analysis
*Air Pollutants, Occupational/analysis
*Lung Neoplasms/chemically induced/epidemiology
Minerals/analysis
*Mesothelioma/chemically induced/epidemiology
*Asbestos/toxicity

@article {pmid36965798,
year = {2023},
author = {Wylie, AG and Korchevskiy, AA},
title = {Dimensions of elongate mineral particles and cancer: A review.},
journal = {Environmental research},
volume = {230},
number = {},
pages = {114688},
doi = {10.1016/j.envres.2022.114688},
pmid = {36965798},
issn = {1096-0953},
mesh = {Humans ; Mineral Fibers/toxicity ; Minerals/toxicity/analysis ; *Mesothelioma/chemically induced/epidemiology ; Asbestos, Amphibole ; *Lung Neoplasms/chemically induced/epidemiology ; Carcinogens/analysis ; Dust/analysis ; *Asbestos ; },
abstract = {CONTEXT: Based on a decade-long exploration, dimensions of elongate mineral particles are implicated as a pivotal component of their carcinogenic potency. This paper summarizes current understanding of the discovered relationships and their importance to the protection of public health.

OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the relationships between cancer risk and dimensions (length, width, and other derivative characteristics) of mineral fibers by comparing the results and conclusions of previously published studies with newly published information.

METHODS: A database including 59 datasets comprising 341,949 records were utilized to characterize dimensions of elongate particles. The descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis, combined with Monte Carlo simulation, were used to select dimensional characteristics most relevant for mesothelioma and lung cancer risk prediction.

RESULTS: The highest correlation between mesothelioma potency factor and weight fraction of size categories is achieved for fibers with lengths >5.6 μm and widths ≤0.26 μm (R = 0.94, P < 0.02); no statistically significant potency was found for lengths <5 μm. These results are consistent with early published estimations, though are derived from a different approach. For combinations of amphiboles and chrysotile (with a consideration of a correction factor between mineral classes), the potency factors correlated most highly with a fraction of fibers longer than 5 μm and thinner than 0.2 μm for mesothelioma, and longer than 5 μm and thinner than 0.3 μm for lung cancer. Because the proportion of long, thin particles in asbestiform vs. non-asbestiform dusts is higher, the cancer potencies of the former are predicted at a significantly higher level. The analysis of particle dimensionality in human lung burden demonstrates positive selection for thinner fibers (especially for amosite and crocidolite) and prevailing fraction of asbestiform habit.

CONCLUSION: Dimensions of mineral fibers can be confirmed as one of the main drivers of their carcinogenicity. The width of fibers emerges as a primary potency predictor, and fibers of all widths with lengths shorter than 5 μm seem to be non-impactful for cancer risk. The mineral dust with a fibrous component is primarily carcinogenic if it contains amphibole fibers longer than 5 μm and thinner than 0.25 μm.},
}

Humans
Mineral Fibers/toxicity
Minerals/toxicity/analysis
*Mesothelioma/chemically induced/epidemiology
Asbestos, Amphibole
*Lung Neoplasms/chemically induced/epidemiology
Carcinogens/analysis
Dust/analysis
*Asbestos

@article {pmid37248188,
year = {2023},
author = {Zhao, F and Zhang, YL and Liu, X and Chen, TH and Li, J},
title = {[A case of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma].},
journal = {Zhonghua lao dong wei sheng zhi ye bing za zhi = Zhonghua laodong weisheng zhiyebing zazhi = Chinese journal of industrial hygiene and occupational diseases},
volume = {41},
number = {4},
pages = {307-309},
doi = {10.3760/cma.j.cn121094-20220328-00158},
pmid = {37248188},
issn = {1001-9391},
abstract = {Malignant mesothelioma is a highly malignant disease that most often occurs in the pleural cavity, followed by the peritoneum and pericardium. Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) accounts for 10%-15% of all mesothelioma. The most important risk factor for MPM is exposure to asbestos. MPM has no specific clinical symptoms, imaging and histopathology are critical for the diagnosis. There are currently no generally accepted guidelines for curative treatment of MPM. The patient mainly presented with abdominal pain, abdominal distension and discomfort. Due to extensive omentum metastasis, no further surgical treatment was performed. Pemetrexed combined with cisplatin chemotherapy was given for 2 cycles, and the patient is still alive.},
}

@article {pmid37247334,
year = {2023},
author = {Ntlailane, L and Sebola, L and Singo, D and Nthoke, T and Mizan, G},
title = {Managing the risks of an asbestos bulk storage facility at a research institute.},
journal = {Annals of work exposures and health},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/annweh/wxad028},
pmid = {37247334},
issn = {2398-7316},
abstract = {The South African National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH), formerly the Pneumoconiosis Research Unit, has previously milled about 544 kg of anthophyllite, crocidolite, amosite and chrysotile asbestos fibre materials. This endeavour came about in an attempt to address a recommendation, made by the International Union Against Cancer (UICC), to make asbestos standard reference samples available for research. Some of these reference samples, as well as the bulk, unprocessed materials are still within the care of the NIOH and can be obtained for the purpose of Public Health research under strict terms and conditions. Considering the hazardous nature of asbestos and regulated prohibitions imposed on this mineral, the NIOH asbestos storage facility is being subjected to various occupational and environmental control measures to ensure that any potential fibre release, and subsequent risk of exposure, are prevented.},
}

@article {pmid37232345,
year = {2023},
author = {Broggi, G and Filetti, V and Magro, G and Morante, B and Garro, R and Ledda, C and Rapisarda, V and Lombardo, C and Loreto, C and Caltabiano, R},
title = {Immunohistochemical expression of cAMP in fluoroedenite‑induced malignant pleural mesothelioma: Preliminary results.},
journal = {Molecular medicine reports},
volume = {28},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3892/mmr.2023.13019},
pmid = {37232345},
issn = {1791-3004},
abstract = {Despite advances in understanding of the biology of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), the prognosis of this malignancy remains poor. Although asbestos still remains the main pathogenic agent of MPM, other asbestos‑like fibers such as fluoro‑edenite (FE) fibers, induce MPM. Notable incidence and mortality rates of MPM have been found in Biancavilla, Italy, where FE fibers have been extracted from building materials for >50 years. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is a secondary messenger that plays a key role in several physiological and pathological mechanisms regulating protein kinase A (PKA) and the CREB pathway. Hyperactivation of the cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway is involved in many neoplastic processes, including tumor cell proliferation, invasion and metastatic spread. The present study investigated immunohistochemical expression of cAMP in patients with FE‑induced MPM, which included six males and four females with an age range of 50‑93 years. There was high immunoexpression of cAMP in 5 out of 10 tumors while the remaining 5 cases showed low immunoexpression. In addition, there was a correlation between cAMP overexpression and decreased survival times (mean overall survival times, 7.5 months in high expression group vs. 18 months in low expression group).},
}

@article {pmid37220527,
year = {2023},
author = {Wang, D and Zhu, J and Li, N and Lu, H and Gao, Y and Zhuang, L and Chen, Z and Mao, W},
title = {GC-MS-based untargeted metabolic profiling of malignant mesothelioma plasma.},
journal = {PeerJ},
volume = {11},
number = {},
pages = {e15302},
doi = {10.7717/peerj.15302},
pmid = {37220527},
issn = {2167-8359},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a cancer caused mainly by asbestos exposure, and is aggressive and incurable. This study aimed to identify differential metabolites and metabolic pathways involved in the pathogenesis and diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma.

METHODS: By using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), this study examined the plasma metabolic profile of human malignant mesothelioma. We performed univariate and multivariate analyses and pathway analyses to identify differential metabolites, enriched metabolism pathways, and potential metabolic targets. The area under the receiver-operating curve (AUC) criterion was used to identify possible plasma biomarkers.

RESULTS: Using samples from MM (n = 19) and healthy control (n = 22) participants, 20 metabolites were annotated. Seven metabolic pathways were disrupted, involving alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism; glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism; arginine and proline metabolism; butanoate and histidine metabolism; beta-alanine metabolism; and pentose phosphate metabolic pathway. The AUC was used to identify potential plasma biomarkers. Using a threshold of AUC = 0.9, five metabolites were identified, including xanthurenic acid, (s)-3,4-hydroxybutyric acid, D-arabinose, gluconic acid, and beta-d-glucopyranuronic acid.

CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a plasma metabolomics analysis using GC-MS analyses of Asian MM patients. Our identification of these metabolic abnormalities is critical for identifying plasma biomarkers in patients with MM. However, additional research using a larger population is needed to validate our findings.},
}

@article {pmid37217834,
year = {2023},
author = {Zambrano, E and Matoso, A and Reyes-Múgica, M},
title = {Mesotheliomas in Children.},
journal = {Advances in anatomic pathology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1097/PAP.0000000000000403},
pmid = {37217834},
issn = {1533-4031},
abstract = {Mesotheliomas are rare and aggressive tumors that originate from mesothelial cells. Although exceedingly rare, these tumors may occur in children. Different from adult mesotheliomas, however, environmental exposures particularly to asbestos do not appear to play a major role in mesotheliomas in children, in whom specific genetic rearrangements driving these tumors have been identified in recent years. These molecular alterations may increasingly offer opportunities for targeted therapies in the future, which may provide better outcomes for these highly aggressive malignant neoplasms.},
}

@article {pmid37210180,
year = {2023},
author = {Carbone, M and Yang, H and Pass, HI and Taioli, E},
title = {Did the Ban on Asbestos Reduce the Incidence of Mesothelioma?.},
journal = {Journal of thoracic oncology : official publication of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer},
volume = {18},
number = {6},
pages = {694-697},
doi = {10.1016/j.jtho.2023.03.013},
pmid = {37210180},
issn = {1556-1380},
}

@article {pmid37199503,
year = {2023},
author = {Giacobbe, C and Moliterni, A and Di Giuseppe, D and Malferrari, D and Wright, JP and Mattioli, M and Ranieri, S and Giannini, C and Fornasini, L and Mugnaioli, E and Ballirano, P and Gualtieri, AF},
title = {The crystal structure of the killer fibre erionite from Tuzköy (Cappadocia, Turkey).},
journal = {IUCrJ},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1107/S2052252523003500},
pmid = {37199503},
issn = {2052-2525},
abstract = {Erionite is a non-asbestos fibrous zeolite classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a Group 1 carcinogen and is considered today similar to or even more carcinogenic than the six regulated asbestos minerals. Exposure to fibrous erionite has been unequivocally linked to cases of malignant mesothelioma (MM) and this killer fibre is assumed to be directly responsible for more than 50% of all deaths in the population of the villages of Karain and Tuzköy in central Anatolia (Turkey). Erionite usually occurs in bundles of thin fibres and very rarely as single acicular or needle-like fibres. For this reason, a crystal structure of this fibre has not been attempted to date although an accurate characterization of its crystal structure is of paramount importance for our understanding of the toxicity and carcinogenicity. In this work, we report on a combined approach of microscopic (SEM, TEM, electron diffraction), spectroscopic (micro-Raman) and chemical techniques with synchrotron nano-single-crystal diffraction that allowed us to obtain the first reliable ab initio crystal structure of this killer zeolite. The refined structure showed regular T-O distances (in the range 1.61-1.65 Å) and extra-framework content in line with the chemical formula (K2.63Ca1.57Mg0.76Na0.13Ba0.01)[Si28.62Al7.35]O72·28.3H2O. The synchrotron nano-diffraction data combined with three-dimensional electron diffraction (3DED) allowed us to unequivocally rule out the presence of offretite. These results are of paramount importance for understanding the mechanisms by which erionite induces toxic damage and for confirming the physical similarities with asbestos fibres.},
}

@article {pmid37194050,
year = {2023},
author = {RanYue, W and ChunYan, W and Likun, H and LiPing, Z and JieLu, L and ZhengWei, D},
title = {Diffuse intrapulmonary mesothelioma mimicking pulmonary lepidic adenocarcinoma: a rare case report and review of the literature.},
journal = {Diagnostic pathology},
volume = {18},
number = {1},
pages = {64},
pmid = {37194050},
issn = {1746-1596},
abstract = {Mesothelioma, with various clinical manifestations, radiological features, and histomorphological types, can be divided into epithelioid, sarcomatoid, and biphasic types, according to their histomorphological characteristics. There is a rare growth pattern of pleural mesothelioma: diffuse intrapulmonary mesothelioma (DIM), with a distinctive pattern of predominantly intrapulmonary growth, has no or minimal pleural involvement, and simulates interstitial lung disease(ILD) clinically and radiologically. A 59-year-old man presented to the hospital with recurrent pleural effusions for 4 years and a history of asbestos exposure. Computed tomography (CT) showed bilateral pure ground-glass opacity lesions, and the tumor cells showed a lepidic growth pattern pathologically. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for CK, WT-1, calretinin, D2-40, CK5/6, and Claudin4, while TTF-1, CEA, EMA, CK7, CK20, and other epithelial markers were negative. BAP1 loss its expression, and MTAP was positive in cytoplasm. CDKN2A was negative tested by Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The final diagnosis was DIM. In conclusion, we should recognize this rare disease to avoid misdiagnosis and delayed treatment.},
}

@article {pmid37190292,
year = {2023},
author = {Ahmadzada, T and Vijayan, A and Vafaee, F and Azimi, A and Reid, G and Clarke, S and Kao, S and Grau, GE and Hosseini-Beheshti, E},
title = {Small and Large Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Pleural Mesothelioma Cell Lines Offer Biomarker Potential.},
journal = {Cancers},
volume = {15},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/cancers15082364},
pmid = {37190292},
issn = {2072-6694},
abstract = {Pleural mesothelioma, previously known as malignant pleural mesothelioma, is an aggressive and fatal cancer of the pleura, with one of the poorest survival rates. Pleural mesothelioma is in urgent clinical need for biomarkers to aid early diagnosis, improve prognostication, and stratify patients for treatment. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have great potential as biomarkers; however, there are limited studies to date on their role in pleural mesothelioma. We conducted a comprehensive proteomic analysis on different EV populations derived from five pleural mesothelioma cell lines and an immortalized control cell line. We characterized three subtypes of EVs (10 K, 18 K, and 100 K), and identified a total of 4054 unique proteins. Major differences were found in the cargo between the three EV subtypes. We show that 10 K EVs were enriched in mitochondrial components and metabolic processes, while 18 K and 100 K EVs were enriched in endoplasmic reticulum stress. We found 46 new cancer-associated proteins for pleural mesothelioma, and the presence of mesothelin and PD-L1/PD-L2 enriched in 100 K and 10 K EV, respectively. We demonstrate that different EV populations derived from pleural mesothelioma cells have unique cancer-specific proteomes and carry oncogenic cargo, which could offer a novel means to extract biomarkers of interest for pleural mesothelioma from liquid biopsies.},
}

@article {pmid37190163,
year = {2023},
author = {Collatuzzo, G and Turati, F and Malvezzi, M and Negri, E and La Vecchia, C and Boffetta, P},
title = {Attributable Fraction of Cancer Related to Occupational Exposure in Italy.},
journal = {Cancers},
volume = {15},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/cancers15082234},
pmid = {37190163},
issn = {2072-6694},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Exposure to occupational carcinogens is an important and avoidable cause of cancer. We aimed to provide an evidence-based estimate of the burden of occupation-related cancers in Italy.

METHODS: The attributable fraction (AF) was calculated based on the counterfactual scenario of no occupational exposure to carcinogens. We included exposures classified as IARC group 1 and with reliable evidence of exposure in Italy. Relative risk estimates for selected cancers and prevalences of exposure were derived from large-scale studies. Except for mesothelioma, a 15-20-year latency period between exposure and cancer was considered. The data on cancer incidence in 2020 and mortality in 2017 in Italy were obtained from the Italian Association of Cancer Registries.

RESULTS: The most prevalent exposures were UV radiation (5.8%), diesel exhaust (4.3%), wood dust (2.3%) and silica dust (2.1%). Mesothelioma had the largest AF to occupational carcinogens (86.6%), followed by sinonasal cancer (11.8%) and lung cancer (3.8%). We estimated that 0.9% of cancer cases (N~3500) and 1.6% of cancer deaths (N~2800) were attributable to occupational carcinogens in Italy. Of these, about 60% were attributable to asbestos, 17.5% to diesel exhaust, followed by chromium and silica dust (7% and 5%).

CONCLUSIONS: Our estimates provide up-to-date quantification of the low, but persistent, burden of occupational cancers in Italy.},
}

@article {pmid37189132,
year = {2023},
author = {Kauschke, V and Philipp-Gehlhaar, M and Schneider, J},
title = {Expression of microRNAs in leukocytes and serum of asbestosis patients.},
journal = {European journal of medical research},
volume = {28},
number = {1},
pages = {175},
pmid = {37189132},
issn = {2047-783X},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Although asbestos use is banned in many countries, long latency of asbestos-related diseases like pleural plaques or asbestosis mean it is still a public health issue. People suffering from these diseases have a higher risk of developing mesothelioma or lung cancer, which can progress quickly and aggressively. MicroRNAs were suggested as potential biomarkers in several diseases. However, in asbestosis, blood microRNAs are less explored. Since miR-32-5p, miR-143-3p, miR-145-5p, miR-146b-5p, miR-204-5p and miR-451a are involved in fibrotic processes and in cancer, expression of these microRNAs was analyzed in leukocytes and serum of asbestosis patients.

METHODS: MicroRNA expression was analyzed in leukocytes and serum of 36 patients (26 affected by pleural plaques and 10 by asbestosis) and 15 healthy controls by real-time RT-PCR. Additionally, data analyses were performed regarding disease severity based on ILO classification.

RESULTS: MicroRNA miR-146b-5p was significantly down-regulated in leukocytes of patients suffering from pleural plaques with a large effect indicated by η[2]p = 0.150 and Cohen's f = 0.42, a value of difference of 0.725 and a 95% confidence interval of 0.070-1.381. In patients suffering from asbestosis miR-146b-5p was not significantly regulated. However, data analyses considering disease severity only, revealed that miR-146b-5p was significantly down-regulated in leukocytes of mildly diseased patients compared to controls with a large effect indicated by η[2]p = 0.178 and Cohen's f = 0.465, a value of difference of 0.848 and a 95% confidence interval of 0.097-1.599. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and an area under the ROC curve value of 0.757 for miR-146b-5p indicated acceptable discrimination ability between patients suffering from pleural plaques and healthy controls. Less microRNAs were detectable in serum than in leukocytes, showing no significant expression differences in all participants of this study. Moreover, miR-145-5p was regulated significantly differently in leukocytes and serum. An R[2] value of 0.004 for miR-145-5p indicated no correlation in microRNA expression between leukocytes and serum.

CONCLUSION: Leukocytes seem more suitable than serum for microRNA analyses regarding disease and potentially cancer risk assessment of patients suffering from asbestos-related pleural plaques or asbestosis. Long-term studies may reveal whether down-regulation of miR-146b-5p in leukocytes might be an early indicator for an increased cancer risk.},
}

@article {pmid37180489,
year = {2023},
author = {Sekido, Y and Sato, T},
title = {NF2 alteration in mesothelioma.},
journal = {Frontiers in toxicology},
volume = {5},
number = {},
pages = {1161995},
doi = {10.3389/ftox.2023.1161995},
pmid = {37180489},
issn = {2673-3080},
abstract = {The NF2 tumor suppressor gene is a frequent somatically mutated gene in mesothelioma, with 30%-40% mesotheliomas showing NF2 inactivation. NF2 encodes merlin, a member of the ezrin, radixin, and moesin (ERM) family of proteins that regulate cytoskeleton and cell signaling. Recent genome analysis revealed that NF2 alteration may be a late event in mesothelioma development, suggesting that NF2 mutation confers a more aggressive phenotype to mesothelioma cells and may not be directly caused by asbestos exposure. The Hippo tumor-suppressive and mTOR prooncogenic signaling pathways are crucial cell-signaling cascades regulated by merlin. Although the exact role and timing of NF2 inactivation in mesothelioma cells remain to be elucidated, targeting the NF2/merlin-Hippo pathway may be a new therapeutic strategy for patients with mesothelioma.},
}

@article {pmid37178944,
year = {2023},
author = {Brown, JS},
title = {Comparison of Oncogenes, Tumor Suppressors, and MicroRNAs Between Schizophrenia and Glioma: The Balance of Power.},
journal = {Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {105206},
doi = {10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105206},
pmid = {37178944},
issn = {1873-7528},
abstract = {The risk of cancer in schizophrenia has been controversial. Confounders of the issue are cigarette smoking in schizophrenia, and antiproliferative effects of antipsychotic medications. The author has previously suggested comparison of a specific cancer like glioma to schizophrenia might help determine a more accurate relationship between cancer and schizophrenia. To accomplish this goal, the author performed three comparisons of data; the first a comparison of conventional tumor suppressors and oncogenes between schizophrenia and cancer including glioma. This comparison determined schizophrenia has both tumor-suppressive and tumor-promoting characteristics. A second, larger comparison between brain-expressed microRNAs in schizophrenia with their expression in glioma was then performed. This identified a core carcinogenic group of miRNAs in schizophrenia offset by a larger group of tumor-suppressive miRNAs. This proposed "balance of power" between oncogenes and tumor suppressors could cause neuroinflammation. This was assessed by a third comparison between schizophrenia, glioma and inflammation in asbestos-related lung cancer and mesothelioma (ALRCM). This revealed that schizophrenia shares more oncogenic similarity to ALRCM than glioma.},
}

@article {pmid37175892,
year = {2023},
author = {Cugliari, G},
title = {FKBP5, a Modulator of Stress Responses Involved in Malignant Mesothelioma: The Link between Stress and Cancer.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {24},
number = {9},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ijms24098183},
pmid = {37175892},
issn = {1422-0067},
abstract = {Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare tumour characterized by a long latency period after asbestos exposure and poor survival [...].},
}

@article {pmid37172528,
year = {2023},
author = {Du, X and Li, X and Zhang, B and Hao, Z and Gao, Y and Jiang, X and Yang, Z and Chen, Y},
title = {The clinicopathological significance of TOP2A expression in malignant peritoneal mesothelioma.},
journal = {Annals of diagnostic pathology},
volume = {65},
number = {},
pages = {152155},
doi = {10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2023.152155},
pmid = {37172528},
issn = {1532-8198},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare malignant tumor with a high mortality rate and extremely poor prognosis. TOP2A expression is associated with cell proliferation and cell cycle progression. We aimed to demonstrate the expression profile of TOP2A in MPM and its correlation with clinicopathological features.

METHODS: Clinicopathological information from 100 MPM cases was collected at Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to evaluate TOP2A levels. The associations between TOP2A levels and clinicopathological features or prognosis were analyzed. Clinical follow-up data were reviewed to determine correlations among the pathological prognostic factors using the Kaplan-Meier estimator and univariate/multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models.

RESULTS: Among the 100 MPM patients, there were 48 males and 52 females, with a median age of 54 years (range: 24-72 years). The cutoff curve was used to find the boundary value of the TOP2A-positive rate. TOP2A positive rate ≥ 11.97 % accounted for 48 % in tumor tissue. The TOP2A-positive rate was not associated with sex, age, asbestos exposure, peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI) score, or completeness of cytoreduction (CC) score in MPM. Univariate analysis revealed survival-related pathological parameters, including asbestos exposure, CA125, histological type, PCI score, CC score, Ki-67 index, and TOP2A positive rate. Multivariate analysis identified that asbestos exposure history, PCI score, Ki-67 proliferation index and TOP2A positive rate in tissue are independent prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONS: High expression of TOP2A is linked to better prognosis of MPM.},
}

@article {pmid37168168,
year = {2023},
author = {Singh, R and Frank, AL},
title = {Does the Presence of Asbestos-Containing Materials in Buildings Post-construction and Before Demolition Have an Impact on the Exposure to Occupants in Non-occupational Settings?.},
journal = {Cureus},
volume = {15},
number = {4},
pages = {e37305},
doi = {10.7759/cureus.37305},
pmid = {37168168},
issn = {2168-8184},
abstract = {This narrative review aims to determine if asbestos-containing materials in buildings pose a hazard to building occupants in non-occupational settings. This paper is limited to the post-construction and pre-demolition stages of a building. The researchers selected 19 studies from the 126 studies screened, concerning exposure to asbestos fibers in non-occupational building settings, with a focus on post-construction and pre-demolition phases. The literature review found that certain conditions, such as the measurement techniques, standards, and previous data availability, prevent a conclusive answer to the research question. Some studies have pointed towards an effect of asbestos-containing materials on health of occupants in non-occupational settings. But, there are some that do not suggest a positive relationship between non-occupational exposure and the presence of asbestos-containing materials, and therefore these provide scope for further research, as these studies also do not rule out the relationship completely. The present study highlights the gaps in current knowledge and indicates areas for further research. Until conclusive evidence based on revised threshold standards and accurate measurement techniques is available, asbestos-containing materials may be considered unsafe for use in non-occupational settings, especially ones that young people and children occupy.},
}

@article {pmid37167572,
year = {2023},
author = {Hathaway, F and Martins, R and Sorscher, S and Bzura, A and Dudbridge, F and Fennell, DA},
title = {Family Matters: Germline Testing in Thoracic Cancers.},
journal = {American Society of Clinical Oncology educational book. American Society of Clinical Oncology. Annual Meeting},
volume = {43},
number = {},
pages = {e389956},
doi = {10.1200/EDBK_389956},
pmid = {37167572},
issn = {1548-8756},
abstract = {Most thoracic cancers arise via a series of stepwise somatic alterations driven by a well-defined carcinogen (ie, tobacco or asbestos for lung cancer and mesothelioma, respectively). A small proportion can emerge on a background of pathogenic germline variants (PGVs), which have the property of heritability. In general, PGVs may be initially suspected on the basis of the presence of specific clinical features. Such gene × environment interactions significantly increase the risk of developing lung cancer (1.5- to 3.2-fold). PGVs have been discovered involving the actionable driver oncogene, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), with an EGFR T790M PGV rate of 0.3%-0.9% in the nonsquamous non-small-cell lung cancer subtype. Its appearance during routine somatic DNA sequencing in those patients who have not had a previous tyrosine kinase inhibitor should raise suspicion. In patients with sporadic mesothelioma, BAP1 is the most frequently mutated tumor driver, with a PGV rate between 2.8% and 8%, associated with a favorable prognosis. BAP1 PGVs accelerate mesothelioma tumorigenesis after asbestos exposure in preclinical models and may be partly predicted by clinical criteria. At present, routine germline genetic testing for thoracic cancers is not a standard practice. Expert genetic counseling is, therefore, required for patients who carry a PGV. Ongoing studies aim to better understand the natural history of patients harboring PGVs to underpin future cancer prevention, precise counseling, and cancer management with the goal of improving the quality and length of life.},
}

@article {pmid37165917,
year = {2023},
author = {Sato, T and Akao, K and Sato, A and Tsujimura, T and Mukai, S and Sekido, Y},
title = {Aberrant expression of NPPB through YAP1 and TAZ activation in mesothelioma with Hippo pathway gene alterations.},
journal = {Cancer medicine},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/cam4.6056},
pmid = {37165917},
issn = {2045-7634},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Mesothelioma is a neoplastic disease associated with asbestos exposure. It is highly malignant and has a poor prognosis; thus, early detection is desirable. Recent whole-genome analysis has revealed that mesothelioma is characterized by a high frequency of mutations in a set of genes involved in the Hippo pathway, such as NF2 and LATS2. However, a rapid, simple, and precise method for finding mesothelioma with these mutations has not yet been established.

METHODS: Clustering of Hippo pathway gene alteration groups and the differential expression of each gene in mesothelioma patients were analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Gene expression levels in various tumors and normal tissues were analyzed using public databases. Knockdown or transient expression of YAP1 or TAZ was performed to evaluate the regulation of gene expression by these genes. NT-proBNP was measured in the pleural effusions of 18 patients and was compared with NF2 expression in five cases where cell lines had been successfully established.

RESULTS: NPPB mRNA expression was markedly higher in the group of mesothelioma patients with Hippo pathway gene mutations than in the group without them. NPPB expression was low in all normal tissues except heart, and was highest in mesothelioma. Mesothelioma patients in the high NPPB expression group had a significantly worse prognosis than those in the low NPPB expression group. NPPB expression was suppressed by knockdown of YAP1 or TAZ. NT-proBNP was abundant in the effusions of mesothelioma patients and was particularly high in those with impaired NF2 expression.

CONCLUSIONS: NPPB, whose levels can be measured in pleural effusions of mesothelioma patients, has the potential to act as a biomarker to detect NF2-Hippo pathway gene alterations and/or predict patient prognosis. Additionally, it may provide useful molecular insights for a better understanding of mesothelioma pathogenesis and for the development of novel therapies.},
}

@article {pmid37158685,
year = {2023},
author = {Moline, J},
title = {Response to the Letter to the Editor From Jeffrey Brent, MD, PhD. Re: Mesothelioma Associated With the Use of Cosmetic Talc.},
journal = {Journal of occupational and environmental medicine},
volume = {65},
number = {5},
pages = {e361},
doi = {10.1097/JOM.0000000000002840},
pmid = {37158685},
issn = {1536-5948},
}

@article {pmid37150820,
year = {2023},
author = {Avramescu, ML and Potiszil, C and Kunihiro, T and Okabe, K and Nakamura, E},
title = {An investigation of the internal morphology of asbestos ferruginous bodies: constraining their role in the onset of malignant mesothelioma.},
journal = {Particle and fibre toxicology},
volume = {20},
number = {1},
pages = {19},
pmid = {37150820},
issn = {1743-8977},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was widely used in the past. However, asbestos inhalation is associated with an aggressive type of cancer known as malignant mesothelioma (MM). After inhalation, an iron-rich coat forms around the asbestos fibres, together the coat and fibre are termed an "asbestos ferruginous body" (AFB). AFBs are the main features associated with asbestos-induced MM. Whilst several studies have investigated the external morphology of AFBs, none have characterised the internal morphology. Here, cross-sections of multiple AFBs from two smokers and two non-smokers are compared to investigate the effects of smoking on the onset and growth of AFBs. Morphological and chemical observations of AFBs were undertaken by transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and selected area diffraction.

RESULTS: The AFBs of all patients were composed of concentric layers of 2-line or 6-line ferrihydrite, with small spherical features being observed on the outside of the AFBs and within the cross-sections. The spherical components are of a similar size to Fe-rich inclusions found within macrophages from mice injected with asbestos fibres in a previous study. As such, the spherical components composing the AFBs may result from the deposition of Fe-rich inclusions during frustrated phagocytosis. The AFBs were also variable in terms of their Fe, P and Ca abundances, with some layers recording higher Fe concentrations (dense layers), whilst others lower Fe concentrations (porous layers). Furthermore, smokers were found to have smaller and overall denser AFBs than non-smokers.

CONCLUSIONS: The AFBs of smokers and non-smokers show differences in their morphology, indicating they grew in lung environments that experienced disparate conditions. Both the asbestos fibres of smokers and non-smokers were likely subjected to frustrated phagocytosis and accreted mucopolysaccharides, resulting in Fe accumulation and AFB formation. However, smokers' AFBs experienced a more uniform Fe-supply within the lung environment compared to non-smokers, likely due to Fe complexation from cigarette smoke, yielding denser, smaller and more Fe-rich AFBs. Moreover, the lack of any non-ferrihydrite Fe phases in the AFBs may indicate that the ferritin shell was intact, and that ROS may not be the main driver for the onset of MM.},
}

@article {pmid37147569,
year = {2023},
author = {Liang, Y and Li, C and Liu, Y and Tian, L and Yang, D},
title = {Prognostic role of CD74, CD10 and Ki-67 immunohistochemical expression in patients with diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma: a retrospective study.},
journal = {BMC cancer},
volume = {23},
number = {1},
pages = {406},
pmid = {37147569},
issn = {1471-2407},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Diagnosis and treatment of diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM) are still challenging. The aim of the present study was to explore the correlation between CD74, CD10, Ki-67 and clinicopathological parameters, and identify independent prognostic factors of DMPM.

METHODS: Seventy patients with pathologically proven DMPM were retrospectively reviewed. The expression of CD74, CD10 and Ki-67 in peritoneal tissues was detected by immunohistochemical analysis using standard avidin biotin complex (ABC) immunostaining technique. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to assess prognostic factors. The nomogram based on the Cox hazards regression model was established. C-index and calibration curve were performed to evaluate the accuracy of nomogram models.

RESULTS: The median age of DMPM was 62.34 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 1: 1.80. CD74 expression was identified in 52 (74.29%) of 70 specimens, CD10 in 34 (48.57%) specimens, and higher Ki-67 in 33(47.14%) specimens. CD74 was negatively associated with asbestos exposure(r = -0.278), Ki-67(r = -0.251) and TNM stage(r = -0.313). All patients were effectively followed up in the survival analysis. Univariate analysis revealed that PCI, TNM stage, treatment, Ki-67, CD74 and ECOG PS were associated with DMPM prognosis. CD74 (HR = 0.65, 95%Cl:0.46-0.91, P = 0.014), Ki-67(HR = 2.09, 95%Cl:1.18-3.73, P = 0.012),TNM stage (HR = 1.89, 95%Cl:1.16-3.09, P = 0.011), ECOG PS(HR = 2.12, 95%Cl:1.06-4.25, P = 0.034), systemic chemotherapy (HR = 0.41, 95%Cl:0.21-0.82, P = 0.011) and intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HR = 0.34, 95%Cl:0.16-0.71, P = 0.004) were independent predictors by multivariate Cox analysis. The C‑index of the nomogram for predicting overall survival (OS) was 0.81. The OS calibration curve showed good agreement between nomogram-predicted and observed survival.

CONCLUSIONS: CD74, Ki-67, TNM stage, ECOG PS and treatment were independent factors affecting prognosis of DMPM. Reasonable chemotherapy treatment might improve the prognosis of patients. The proposed nomogram was a visual tool to effectively predict the OS of DMPM patients.},
}

@article {pmid37147272,
year = {2023},
author = {Yang, D and Chen, C and Xia, H and Chen, J and Yu, M},
title = {Characteristics of transcription profile, adhesion and migration of SETD2-loss Met-5A mesothelial cells exposed with crocidolite.},
journal = {Journal of applied toxicology : JAT},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/jat.4493},
pmid = {37147272},
issn = {1099-1263},
abstract = {Asbestos is fibrous silicate mineral exhibiting biopersistence and carcinogen property and contribute to mesothelioma. Despite the concept of gene-environmental interaction in pathogenesis of mesothelioma, the possible pathophysiological changes of mesothelial cells simultaneously with SETD2 loss and asbestos exposure remains obscure. Herein, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated SETD2 knockout Met-5A mesothelial cells (Met-5A[SETD2-KO]) were established and exposed with crocidolite, an amphibole asbestos. Cell viability of Met-5A[SETD2-KO] appeared to dramatically decrease with ≥ 2.5 μg/cm[2] crocidolite exposure as compared to Met-5A, although no cytotoxicity and apoptosis changes of Met-5A[SETD2-KO] and Met-5A was evident with 1.25 μg/cm[2] crocidolite exposure for 48 h. RNA sequencing uncovered top 50 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between 1.25 μg/cm[2] crocidolite exposed Met-5A[SETD2-KO] (Cro-Met-5A[SETD2-KO]) and 1.25 μg/cm[2] crocidolite exposed Met-5A (Cro-Met-5A), and ITGA4, THBS2, MYL7, RAC2, CADM1, and CLDN11 appeared to be the primary DEGs involved with adhesion in GO and KEGG analysis. Cro-Met-5A[SETD2-KO] had strong migration but mild adhesion behavior as compared to Cro-Met-5A. Additionally, crocidolite tended to increase migration of Met-5A[SETD2-KO] but inhibited migration of Met-5A when compared to their corresponding cells without crocidolite exposure, although no further adhesion property changes was evident for both cells in response to crocidolite. Therefore, crocidolite may affect adhesion-related gene expression and modify adhesion and migration behavior for SETD2-depleted Met-5A, which could provide preliminary insight regarding the potential role of SETD2 in cell behavior of asbestos-related malignant mesothelial cell.},
}

@article {pmid37146474,
year = {2023},
author = {Tada, A and Minami, T and Kitai, H and Higashiguchi, Y and Tokuda, M and Higashiyama, T and Negi, Y and Horio, D and Nakajima, Y and Otsuki, T and Mikami, K and Takahashi, R and Nakamura, A and Kitajima, K and Ohmuraya, M and Kuribayashi, K and Kijima, T},
title = {Combination therapy with anti-programmed cell death 1 antibody plus angiokinase inhibitor exerts synergistic antitumor effect against malignant mesothelioma via tumor microenvironment modulation.},
journal = {Lung cancer (Amsterdam, Netherlands)},
volume = {180},
number = {},
pages = {107219},
doi = {10.1016/j.lungcan.2023.107219},
pmid = {37146474},
issn = {1872-8332},
abstract = {Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an asbestos-related fatal malignant neoplasm. Although there has been no reliable chemotherapeutic regimen other than combination therapy of cisplatin and pemetrexed for two decades, combination of ipilimumab plus nivolumab brought about a better outcome in patients with MPM. Thus, cancer immunotherapy using immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) is expected to play a central role in the treatment of MPM. To maximize the antitumor effect of ICI, we evaluated whether nintedanib, an antiangiogenic agent, could augment the antitumor effect of anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) antibody (Ab). Although nintedanib could not inhibit the proliferation of mesothelioma cells in vitro, it significantly suppressed the growth of mesothelioma allografts in mice. Moreover, combination therapy with anti-PD-1 Ab plus nintedanib reduced tumor burden more dramatically compared with nintedanib monotherapy via inducing remarkable necrosis in MPM allografts. Nintedanib did not promote the infiltration of CD8[+] T cells within the tumor when used alone or in combination with anti-PD-1 Ab but it independently decreased the infiltration of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis and ex vivo study using bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) showed that nintedanib could polarize TAMs from M2 to M1 phenotype. These results indicated that nintedanib had a potential to suppress protumor activity of TAMs both numerically and functionally. On the other hand, ex vivo study revealed that nintedanib upregulated the expression of PD-1 and PD-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in BMDMs and mesothelioma cells, respectively, and exhibited the impairment of phagocytic activity of BMDMs against mesothelioma cells. Co-administration of anti-PD-1 Ab may reactivate phagocytic activity of BMDMs by disrupting nintedanib-induced immunosuppressive signal via binding between PD-1 on BMDMs and PD-L1 on mesothelioma cells. Collectively, combination therapy of anti-PD-1 Ab plus nintedanib enhances the antitumor activity compared with respective monotherapy and can become a novel therapeutic option for patients with MPM.},
}

@article {pmid37146029,
year = {2023},
author = {Orozco Morales, ML and Rinaldi, CA and de Jong, E and Lansley, SM and Lee, YCG and Zemek, RM and Bosco, A and Lake, RA and Lesterhuis, WJ},
title = {Geldanamycin treatment does not result in anti-cancer activity in a preclinical model of orthotopic mesothelioma.},
journal = {PloS one},
volume = {18},
number = {5},
pages = {e0274364},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0274364},
pmid = {37146029},
issn = {1932-6203},
abstract = {Mesothelioma is characterised by its aggressive invasive behaviour, affecting the surrounding tissues of the pleura or peritoneum. We compared an invasive pleural model with a non-invasive subcutaneous model of mesothelioma and performed transcriptomic analyses on the tumour samples. Invasive pleural tumours were characterised by a transcriptomic signature enriched for genes associated with MEF2C and MYOCD signaling, muscle differentiation and myogenesis. Further analysis using the CMap and LINCS databases identified geldanamycin as a potential antagonist of this signature, so we evaluated its potential in vitro and in vivo. Nanomolar concentrations of geldanamycin significantly reduced cell growth, invasion, and migration in vitro. However, administration of geldanamycin in vivo did not result in significant anti-cancer activity. Our findings show that myogenesis and muscle differentiation pathways are upregulated in pleural mesothelioma which may be related to the invasive behaviour. However, geldanamycin as a single agent does not appear to be a viable treatment for mesothelioma.},
}

@article {pmid37139482,
year = {2023},
author = {Ma, GY and Shi, S and Sang, YZ and Wang, P and Zhang, ZG},
title = {High Expression of SMO and GLI1 Genes with Poor Prognosis in Malignant Mesothelioma.},
journal = {BioMed research international},
volume = {2023},
number = {},
pages = {6575194},
pmid = {37139482},
issn = {2314-6141},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: To investigate the value of SMO and GLI1 genes in the hedgehog pathway in malignant mesothelioma specimens. Further study on the expression and prognosis of SMO and GLI1 in malignant mesothelioma tissues and the relationship between the two and the molecular mechanisms of mesothelioma immunity and to further investigate the prognostic value of mesothelioma expression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR were applied to detect the expression of SMO and GLI1 proteins and mRNA in biopsy specimens and plasma cavity effusion specimens from malignant mesothelioma (n = 130) and benign mesothelial tissues (n = 50) and to analyze the clinicopathological significance and survival risk factors of SMO and GLI1 protein expression in mesothelioma. The mechanisms of mesothelioma cell expression and immune cell infiltration were investigated using bioinformatics methods.

RESULTS: SMO and GLI1 in mesothelioma tissues detected high concordance between the diagnostic results of mesothelioma biopsy specimens and plasma cavity effusion specimens. The expression levels of SMO and GLI1 protein and mRNA in mesothelioma tissues were higher than those in benign mesothelioma tissues. The expression levels of SMO and GLI1 protein were correlated with the age, site, and asbestos exposure history of patients with mesothelioma. The expression levels of SMO and GLI1 protein were correlated with the expressions of ki67 and p53 (P < 0.05). SMO and GLI1 gene expression levels were negatively correlated with good prognosis in mesothelioma patients (P < 0.05). Cox proportional risk model indicated that protein expressions of invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, staging, and genes were independent prognostic factors of mesothelioma. The GEPIA database showed the overall survival rate and the disease-free survival rate of mesothelioma patients in the high SMO and GLI1 expression groups; the UALCAN database analysis showed lower SMO expression levels in mesothelioma patients with more pronounced TP53 mutations (P = 0.001); GLI1 gene expression levels were strongly correlated with lymph node metastasis in mesothelioma patients (P = 0.009). Timer database analysis showed that the mechanism of immune cell infiltration was closely related to SMO and GLI1 expression. The degree of immune cell infiltration was strongly correlated with the prognosis of mesothelioma patients (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The expression levels of both SMO and GLI1 proteins were higher than those of normal mesothelial tissues, and the mRNA expression levels also changed in the same direction. SMO and GLI1 gene expressions in mesothelioma were negatively correlated with age, site of occurrence, and history of asbestos exposure. Positive expression of SMO and GLI1 was negatively correlated with patient survival. The Cox proportional risk model showed that gender, history of asbestos exposure, site of occurrence, SMO, and GLI1 were independent prognostic factors for mesothelioma. The mechanism of immune cell infiltration in mesothelioma is closely related to the gene expression of both and the survival prognosis of mesothelioma patients.},
}

@article {pmid37131285,
year = {2023},
author = {Abdelghafar, M and Anand, K and Paiva-Correia, A and Smith, EP and Salle, FG and Joshi, V},
title = {Well-Differentiated Papillary Mesothelial Tumor: An Unusual Radiologic Presentation: A Case Report.},
journal = {Journal of chest surgery},
volume = {56},
number = {3},
pages = {220-223},
doi = {10.5090/jcs.22.107},
pmid = {37131285},
issn = {2765-1606},
abstract = {Well-differentiated papillary mesothelial tumor (WDPMT) is an uncommon tumor, formerly named well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma in the 2015 World Health Organization classification. It has a characteristic papillary architecture, bland cytologic features, a tendency toward superficial spread without invasion, and a good prognosis due to its clinically indolent behavior with prolonged survival. Rare cases with superficial invasion are termed WDPMT with invasive foci. WDPMT occurs primarily in the peritoneum of reproductive-age women, but also rarely in the pleura. We report a case of a 60-year-old woman who developed WDPMT with minimal invasion in the pleura with atypical radiological features and a family history of mesothelioma and indirect asbestos exposure.},
}

@article {pmid37128670,
year = {2023},
author = {Marshall, T and Lane, J and Lahorra, J},
title = {A Rare Presentation of Minimally Invasive Mesothelioma as a Large Tension Pneumothorax.},
journal = {International journal of surgical pathology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {10668969231167492},
doi = {10.1177/10668969231167492},
pmid = {37128670},
issn = {1940-2465},
abstract = {Development of mesothelioma is associated with asbestos exposure. Common presentations are with pleural-based plaques invading the chest wall and/or pleural effusion on chest imaging. The intent of this case report is to describe a rare presentation of mesothelioma, which presented atypically as a large tension pneumothorax. A 93-year-old male presented with a history of dyspnea that started after a coughing episode. On physical examination he was hemodynamically stable, but was hypoxic requiring 2L of supplemental oxygen. Computed tomography of the chest revealed a large right tension pneumothorax. A chest tube was placed and connected to suction (-20cmH20), but he continued to have an unresolving air leak over the following 2-week period. Upon video-assisted thoracotomy there were no blebs or adhesions seen. Right apical wedge resection and talc pleurodesis were performed. Pathologic examination revealed an atypical mesothelial cell proliferation with minimal, focal invasion into the pulmonary parenchyma. Tumor spread along the visceral pleura was thought to be the underlying cause of the pneumothorax. The surgical margins were uninvolved by the tumor, and the patient was later discharged home in stable condition. This was a rare presentation of what could best be described as minimally invasive mesothelioma arising in a background of probable mesothelioma in situ, which presented atypically as a large tension pneumothorax. This case highlighted the importance of establishing a pathologic diagnosis from pleural effusion cytology and/or pleural biopsy in persons presenting with spontaneous pneumothorax, and the difficulty in confirming a pathologic diagnosis of early mesothelial neoplasia.},
}

@article {pmid37104724,
year = {2023},
author = {Arrossi, AV},
title = {Pericardial Mesotheliomas.},
journal = {Advances in anatomic pathology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1097/PAP.0000000000000399},
pmid = {37104724},
issn = {1533-4031},
abstract = {Primary pericardial mesothelioma (PM) is a rare tumor arising from the mesothelial cells of the pericardium. It has an incidence of <0.05% and comprises <2% of all mesotheliomas; however, it is the most common primary malignancy of the pericardium. PM should be distinguished from secondary involvement by the spread of pleural mesothelioma or metastases, which are more common. Although data are controversial, the association between asbestos exposure and PM is less documented than that with other mesotheliomas. Late clinical presentation is common. Symptoms may be nonspecific but are usually related to pericardial constriction or cardiac tamponade, and diagnosis can be challenging usually requiring. Echocardiography, computed tomography, and cardiac magnetic resonance demonstrate heterogeneously enhancing thickened pericardium, usually encasing the heart, with findings of constrictive physiology. Tissue sampling is essential for diagnosis. Histologically, similar to mesotheliomas elsewhere in the body, PM is classified as epithelioid, sarcomatoid, or biphasic, with the biphasic type being the most common. Combined with morphologic assessment, the use of immunohistochemistry and other ancillary studies is helpful for distinguishing mesotheliomas from benign proliferative processes and other neoplastic processes. The prognosis of PM is poor with about 22% 1-year survival. Unfortunately, the rarity of PM poses limitations for comprehensive and prospective studies to gain further insight into the pathobiology, diagnosis, and treatment of PM.},
}

@article {pmid37101434,
year = {2022},
author = {Vicari, K and Ribeiro, IM and Aguiar, BF and Brey, C and Boller, S and Miranda, FMD},
title = {Occupational characterization of workers exposed to asbestos: an integrative review.},
journal = {Revista brasileira de medicina do trabalho : publicacao oficial da Associacao Nacional de Medicina do Trabalho-ANAMT},
volume = {20},
number = {4},
pages = {650-658},
pmid = {37101434},
issn = {1679-4435},
abstract = {Asbestos is a mineral fiber abundant in nature and classified as a carcinogen since 1987. The present study aimed to identify, in the scientific literature, what are the occupation and activities developed by sick workers and which categories would be affected with asbestos-related diseases. Through a literature review performed in the following databases: PubMed, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Web of Science, and Regional Portal of the Virtual Health Library, 23 studies published from 2015 to 2020 were selected and evaluated. The occupations that showed greater illness due to exposure to asbestos were general asbestos workers (40%), miners (22%), and textile workers (9%), followed by naval, automotive, carpentry, doll-making, construction, and upholstery workers, as well as workers involved in the rescue, recovery, cleaning, and restoration of the World Trade Center (4%). Of the disease associated with exposure to asbestos, the most described is malignant mesothelioma (43%). Evidence found corroborate pre-existing information in the literature showing that exposure to asbestos may be harmful to health. Moreover, the importance of using personal protective equipment was emphasized, in order to prevent the development of asbestos-related diseases.},
}

@article {pmid37095543,
year = {2023},
author = {Tomasetti, M and Monaco, F and Strogovets, O and Volpini, L and Valentino, M and Amati, M and Neuzil, J and Santarelli, L},
title = {ATG5 as biomarker for early detection of malignant mesothelioma.},
journal = {BMC research notes},
volume = {16},
number = {1},
pages = {61},
pmid = {37095543},
issn = {1756-0500},
abstract = {OBJECTIVES: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive disease with grim prognosis due to lack of effective treatment options. Disease prediction in association with early diagnosis may both contribute to improved MPM survival. Inflammation and autophagy are two processes associated with asbestos-induced transformation. We evaluated the level of two autophagic factors ATG5 and HMGB1, microRNAs (miRNAs) such as miR-126 and miR-222, and the specific biomarker of MPM, soluble mesothelin related proteins (Mesothelin) in asbestos-exposed individuals, MPM patients, and healthy subjects. The performance of these markers in detecting MPM was investigated in pre-diagnostic samples of asbestos-subjects who developed MPM during the follow-up and compared for the three groups.

RESULTS: The ATG5 best distinguished the asbestos-exposed subjects with and without MPM, while miR-126 and Mesothelin were found as a significant prognostic biomarker for MPM. ATG5 has been identified as an asbestos-related biomarker that can help to detect MPM with high sensitivity and specificity in pre-diagnostic samples for up to two years before diagnosis. To utilize this approach practically, higher number of cases has to be tested in order to give the combination of the two markers sufficient statistical power. Performance of the biomarkers should be confirmed by testing their combination in an independent cohort with pre-diagnostic samples.},
}

@article {pmid37090283,
year = {2023},
author = {Razzak, AN and Syed, A and Procknow, ER and Bequest, A and Jha, P},
title = {Modern Malignant Mesothelioma Manifestation.},
journal = {Cureus},
volume = {15},
number = {3},
pages = {e36479},
pmid = {37090283},
issn = {2168-8184},
abstract = {Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) involves the uncontrolled growth of mesothelial cells that form the lining of pleural serous layers. MPM has been linked with asbestos exposure in mining and manufacturing occupations with an unforgiving prognosis of 4-18 months. In this case report, we present a 56-year-old male with a significant past medical history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and ulcerative colitis who presented to the emergency department for worsening cough, eight-pound weight loss over the previous year, night sweats, and fatigue. The patient was admitted due to right pleural effusion with lower lobe collapse seen on imaging; upon diagnostic workup including pleural biopsy, results were consistent with malignant mesothelioma of the epithelioid type. Over the course of six months post-diagnosis, the patient underwent multiple hospital admissions due to acute hypoxic respiratory failure from the segmental left upper lobe and subsegmental right upper lobe pulmonary emboli, recurrent pleural effusion, and anemia. Given the aggressive nature of MPM, the patient was determined not to be a surgical candidate and underwent palliative chemotherapy sessions until his passing. As the patient worked in heating/ventilation/air conditioning with asbestos exposure, taking a full occupational history was crucial. MPM is relatively rare; however, the incidence has increased over the last decade due to tumor development lag time post-asbestos exposure and an increase in do-it-yourself projects. There is no cure for MPM. Multimodal treatment approaches with surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy have been noted in the literature.},
}

@article {pmid37089484,
year = {2023},
author = {Marsh, GM and Kruchten, A},
title = {A reevaluation of selected mortality risks in the updated NCI/NIOSH acrylonitrile cohort study.},
journal = {Frontiers in public health},
volume = {11},
number = {},
pages = {1122346},
pmid = {37089484},
issn = {2296-2565},
abstract = {OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to determine whether the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) recent suggestion of associations between acrylonitrile (AN) exposure and mortality in lung and bladder cancer and pneumonitis is robust to alternative methods of data analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used the Richardson method to indirectly adjust risk ratios (RRs) in relation to AN exposure for potential confounding by smoking and asbestos. We repeated key analyses omitting workers from Plant 4 to account for possible local, historical shipyard-related asbestos exposures.

RESULTS: The adjustment of lung cancer RRs for confounding by both smoking and asbestos and omitting Plant 4 workers yielded mostly decreased RRs and much less evidence of a positive association with cumulative AN exposure.

CONCLUSION: Overall, our reanalysis provided little evidence to support NCI's suggestion of associations between AN exposure and mortality in lung and bladder cancer and pneumonitis.},
}

@article {pmid37087784,
year = {2023},
author = {Barbieri, PG and Consonni, D and Magnani, C and Mensi, C and Mirabell, D and Ricci, P and Terracini, B},
title = {Is mesothelioma related to "initial dose" rather than to "cumulative dose"? Critical remarks on Maghin et al. Assessment protocol of mesothelioma and relevance of SEM-EDS analysis through a case studies of legal medicine of Brescia (Italy). Legal Medicine 2022;57:102076.},
journal = {Legal medicine (Tokyo, Japan)},
volume = {63},
number = {},
pages = {102262},
doi = {10.1016/j.legalmed.2023.102262},
pmid = {37087784},
issn = {1873-4162},
}

@article {pmid37081052,
year = {2023},
author = {Di Mauro, G and Frontini, F and Torreggiani, E and Iaquinta, MR and Caselli, A and Mazziotta, C and Esposito, V and Mazzoni, E and Libener, R and Grosso, F and Maconi, A and Martini, F and Bononi, I and Tognon, M},
title = {Epigenetic investigation into circulating microRNA 197-3p in sera from patients affected by malignant pleural mesothelioma and workers ex-exposed to asbestos.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {13},
number = {1},
pages = {6501},
pmid = {37081052},
issn = {2045-2322},
abstract = {The epigenetic role of microRNAs is established at both physiological and pathological levels. Dysregulated miRNAs and their targets appear to be a promising approach for innovative anticancer therapies. In our previous study, circulating miR-197-3p tested dysregulated in workers ex-exposed to asbestos (WEA). Herein, an epigenetic investigation on this circulating miRNA was carried out in sera from malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) patients. MiR-197-3p was quantified in MPM (n = 75) sera and comparatively analyzed to WEA (n = 75) and healthy subject (n = 75) sera, using ddPCR and RT-qPCR techniques. Clinicopathological characteristics, occupational, non-occupational information and overall survival (OS) were evaluated in correlation studies. MiR-197-3p levels, analyzed by ddPCR, were significantly higher in MPM than in WEA cohort, with a mean copies/µl of 981.7 and 525.01, respectively. Consistently, RT-qPCR showed higher miR-197-3p levels in sera from MPM with a mean copies/µl of 603.7, compared to WEA with 336.1 copies/µl. OS data were significantly associated with histologic subtype and pleurectomy. Circulating miR-197-3p is proposed as a new potential biomarker for an early diagnosis of the MPM onset. Indeed, miR-197-3p epigenetic investigations along with chest X-ray, computed tomography scan and spirometry could provide relevant information useful to reach an early and effective diagnosis for MPM.},
}

@article {pmid37077094,
year = {2023},
author = {Bulutay, P and Vatansever, D and Taskiran, C and Mericoz, CA and Tokat, F and Kapucuoglu, N and Kulac, I},
title = {STRN-ALK rearranged malignant peritoneal mesothelioma-Presenting with bilateral extensive pelvic masses in a young woman: Mimicking low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma.},
journal = {Indian journal of pathology & microbiology},
volume = {66},
number = {2},
pages = {392-395},
doi = {10.4103/ijpm.ijpm_360_21},
pmid = {37077094},
issn = {0974-5130},
abstract = {Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) is an exceptionally rare tumor type. Although some somatic/germline genetic alterations including BAP1 loss have been identified in some cases, the molecular properties of MPMs are remained poorly understood. In recent years, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangement was revealed in a subset of (3.4%) MPMs. Low-grade serous carcinomas (LGSCs) are a rare subtype of ovarian carcinoma and have some morphologic and immunophenotypic overlapping features with MPMs and this may cause misdiagnosis in daily practice. Here, we report a case of 18-year-old women with STRN-ALK-rearranged MPM and no previous exposure to asbestos. This case was presented with bilateral pelvic masses and histologically was displaying pure papillary morphology with mild-to-moderate nuclear atypia, psammoma bodies, and diffuse PAX8 expression as LGSCs. With the detection of ALK alteration in some of the MPMs, a targeted treatment option has emerged for these unusual tumor types.},
}

@article {pmid37062308,
year = {2023},
author = {Bolan, S and Kempton, L and McCarthy, T and Wijesekara, H and Piyathilake, U and Jasemizad, T and Padhye, LP and Zhang, T and Rinklebe, J and Wang, H and Kirkham, MB and Siddique, KHM and Bolan, N},
title = {Sustainable management of hazardous asbestos-containing materials: Containment, stabilization and inertization.},
journal = {The Science of the total environment},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {163456},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163456},
pmid = {37062308},
issn = {1879-1026},
abstract = {Asbestos is a group of six major silicate minerals that belong to the serpentine and amphibole families, and include chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, tremolite and actinolite. Weathering and human disturbance of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) can lead to the emission of asbestos dust, and the inhalation of respirable asbestos fibrous dust can lead to 'mesothelioma' cancer and other diseases, including the progressive lung disease called 'asbestosis'. There is a considerable legacy of in-situ ACMs in the built environment, and it is not practically or economically possible to safely remove ACMs from the built environment. The aim of the review is to examine the three approaches used for the sustainable management of hazardous ACMs in the built environment: containment, stabilization, and inertization or destruction. Most of the asbestos remaining in the built environment can be contained in a physically secured form so that it does not present a significant health risk of emitting toxic airborne fibres. In settings where safe removal is not practically feasible, stabilization and encapsulation can provide a promising solution, especially in areas where ACMs are exposed to weathering or disturbance. Complete destruction and inertization of asbestos can be achieved by thermal decomposition using plasma and microwave radiation. Bioremediation and chemical treatment (e.g., ultrasound with oxalic acid) have been found to be effective in the inertization of ACMs. Technologies that achieve complete destruction of ACMs are found to be attractive because the treated products can be recycled or safely disposed of in landfills.},
}

@article {pmid37058192,
year = {2023},
author = {Bardelli, F and Giacobbe, C and Ballirano, P and Borelli, V and Di Benedetto, F and Montegrossi, G and Bellis, D and Pacella, A},
title = {Closing the knowledge gap on the composition of the asbestos bodies.},
journal = {Environmental geochemistry and health},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {37058192},
issn = {1573-2983},
abstract = {Asbestos bodies (AB) form in the lungs as a result of a biomineralization process initiated by the alveolar macrophages in the attempt to remove asbestos. During this process, organic and inorganic material deposit on the foreign fibers forming a Fe-rich coating. The AB start to form in months, thus quickly becoming the actual interface between asbestos and the lung tissue. Therefore, revealing their composition, and, in particular, the chemical form of Fe, which is the major component of the AB, is essential to assess their possible role in the pathogenesis of asbestos-related diseases. In this work we report the result of the first x-ray diffraction measurements performed on single AB embedded in the lung tissue samples of former asbestos plant workers. The combination with x-ray absorption spectroscopy data allowed to unambiguously reveal that Fe is present in the AB in the form of two Fe-oxy(hydroxides): ferrihydrite and goethite. The presence of goethite, which can be explained in terms of the transformation of ferrihydrite (a metastable phase) due to the acidic conditions induced by the alveolar macrophages in their attempt to phagocytose the fibers, has toxicological implications that are discussed in the paper.},
}

@article {pmid37057081,
year = {2023},
author = {Sundaralingam, A and Aujayeb, A and Jackson, KA and Pellas, EI and Khan, II and Chohan, MT and Joosten, R and Boersma, A and Kerkhoff, J and Bielsa, S and Porcel, JM and Rozman, A and Marc-Malovrh, M and Welch, H and Symonds, J and Anevlavis, S and Froudrakis, M and Mei, F and Zuccatosta, L and Gasparini, S and Gonnelli, F and Dhaliwal, I and Mitchell, MA and Fjaellegaard, K and Petersen, JK and Ellayeh, M and Rahman, NM and Burden, T and Bodtger, U and Koegelenberg, CFN and Maskell, NA and Janssen, J and Bhatnagar, R},
title = {Investigation and outcomes in patients with nonspecific pleuritis: results from the International Collaborative Effusion database.},
journal = {ERJ open research},
volume = {9},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {37057081},
issn = {2312-0541},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: We present findings from the International Collaborative Effusion database, a European Respiratory Society clinical research collaboration. Nonspecific pleuritis (NSP) is a broad term that describes chronic pleural inflammation. Various aetiologies lead to NSP, which poses a diagnostic challenge for clinicians. A significant proportion of patients with this finding eventually develop a malignant diagnosis.

METHODS: 12 sites across nine countries contributed anonymised data on 187 patients. 175 records were suitable for analysis.

RESULTS: The commonest aetiology for NSP was recorded as idiopathic (80 out of 175, 44%). This was followed by pleural infection (15%), benign asbestos disease (12%), malignancy (6%) and cardiac failure (6%). The malignant diagnoses were predominantly mesothelioma (six out of 175, 3.4%) and lung adenocarcinoma (four out of 175, 2.3%). The median time to malignant diagnosis was 12.2 months (range 0.8-32 months). There was a signal towards greater asbestos exposure in the malignant NSP group compared to the benign group (0.63 versus 0.27, p=0.07). Neither recurrence of effusion requiring further therapeutic intervention nor initial biopsy approach were associated with a false-negative biopsy. A computed tomography finding of a mass lesion was the only imaging feature to demonstrate a significant association (0.18 versus 0.01, p=0.02), although sonographic pleural thickening also suggested an association (0.27 versus 0.09, p=0.09).

DISCUSSION: This is the first multicentre study of NSP and its associated outcomes. While some of our findings are reflected by the established body of literature, other findings have highlighted important areas for future research, not previously studied in NSP.},
}

@article {pmid37047661,
year = {2023},
author = {Boumya, S and Fallarini, S and Siragusa, S and Petrarolo, G and Aprile, S and Audrito, V and La Motta, C and Garavaglia, S and Moro, L and Pinton, G},
title = {A Selective ALDH1A3 Inhibitor Impairs Mesothelioma 3-D Multicellular Spheroid Growth and Neutrophil Recruitment.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {24},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ijms24076689},
pmid = {37047661},
issn = {1422-0067},
abstract = {Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A3 (ALDH1A3), one of the three members of the aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A subfamily, has been associated with increased progression and drug resistance in various types of solid tumours. Recently, it has been reported that high ALDH1A3 expression is prognostic of poor survival in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), an asbestos-associated chemoresistant cancer. We treated MPM cells, cultured as multicellular spheroids, with NR6, a potent and highly selective ALDH1A3 inhibitor. Here we report that NR6 treatment caused the accumulation of toxic aldehydes, induced DNA damage, CDKN2A expression and cell growth arrest. We observed that, in CDKN2A proficient cells, NR6 treatment induced IL6 expression, but abolished CXCL8 expression and IL-8 release, preventing both neutrophil recruitment and generation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Furthermore, we demonstrate that in response to ALDH1A3 inhibition, CDKN2A loss skewed cell fate from senescence to apoptosis. Dissecting the role of ALDH1A3 isoform in MPM cells and tumour microenvironment can open new fronts in the treatment of this cancer.},
}

@article {pmid37047331,
year = {2023},
author = {Hager, T and Borchert, S and Wessolly, M and Mathilakathu, A and Mairinger, E and Kollmeier, J and Mairinger, T and Hegedus, B and Greimelmaier, K and Wohlschlaeger, J and Herrmann, K and Mairinger, FD},
title = {One Third of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Shows High Immunohistochemical Expression of MSLN or CXCR4 Which Indicates Potent Candidates for Endo-Radiotherapy.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {24},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ijms24076356},
pmid = {37047331},
issn = {1422-0067},
abstract = {Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a mainly asbestos-related tumour associated with a very poor prognosis. Therapeutic approaches include multimodal therapy and chemotherapeutics, with cisplatin being the drug of choice, but response rates of only up to 14% indicate very poor outcomes. Effective treatment options are lacking. Besides the diagnostic usage of radioligands in positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT), the endo-radioligand therapy with Lu177 has been proven as a powerful tool in cancer therapy. Mesothelin (MSLN) and C-XC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) are membrane-bound proteins, expressed in certain cancers, and thus are promising targets for endo-radiotherapy. A significant portion of high MSLN- or CXCR4-expressing tumors within the MPM may open the field for this sophisticated treatment approach in the near future. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumour specimens from 105 patients suffering from MPM and treated at the Lung Cancer Centre of Essen and at the Helios Klinikum Emil von Behring Berlin were screened. The tumour samples were arranged in tissue microarrays. We immunohistochemically stained the tumour samples against MSLN and CXCR4. The protein expressions of the stainings were scored by a pathologist by using a semiquantitative method. The data obtained were correlated with the clinical outcome. Overall, 77.1% of the analysed tumours showed CXCR4 protein expression (25.7% of them at high expression level (Score 3)). 48.6% of all samples showed an overall strong staining (Score ≥ 2), 59% of the investigated tumours showed MSLN protein expression (10.5% of them at high expression (Score 3)), and 36.2% of all samples showed an overall strong staining (Score ≥ 2). Our results show significant tissue expression levels, for both CXCR4 and MSLN protein, in a major portion of clinical MPM samples. One-third of patients showed outstanding immunoexpression of at least one of these markers, making them interesting candidates for radioligand-based PET/CT diagnostics and follow-up and furthermore may profit from endo-radiotherapy.},
}

@article {pmid37040900,
year = {2023},
author = {Chu, GJ and Linton, A and Kao, S and Klebe, S and Adelstein, S and Yeo, D and Rasko, JEJ and Cooper, WA},
title = {High mesothelin expression by immunohistochemistry predicts improved survival in pleural mesothelioma.},
journal = {Histopathology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/his.14916},
pmid = {37040900},
issn = {1365-2559},
abstract = {AIMS: Mesothelin (MSLN) is a cancer-associated antigen that is overexpressed in malignancies such as mesothelioma, pancreatic and ovarian cancer. It is also a target for novel personalised therapies, including antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates and chimeric antigen receptor T cells. Immunohistochemistry may predict those who would best respond to anti-mesothelin therapies and guide decisions in therapeutic strategy. This study aimed to assess the intensity and distribution of MSLN immunostaining in mesothelioma, and to determine the prognostic value of MSLN expression by histochemical-score (H-score).

METHODS AND RESULTS: The MN1 anti-MSLN antibody was used to stain a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue microarray of histologically confirmed mesothelioma from 75 consecutive patients who had undergone pleurectomy with or without decortication. MSLN positivity, the staining intensity, distribution of staining and H-score were evaluated. The correlation of H-score with prognosis was investigated. Sixty-six per cent of epithelioid tumours were MSLN-positive (with expression in > 5% tumour cells). Of MSLN-expressing epithelioid tumours, 70.4% had moderate (2+) or strong (3+) intensity MSLN immunostaining, although only 37% of samples had staining in ≥ 50% of tumour cells. In multivariate analysis, MSLN H-score as a continuous variable and an H-score ≥ 33 were independent predictors of improved survival (P = 0.04 and P < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: MSLN expression was more heterogenous in epithelioid mesothelioma than reported previously. Therefore, it would be appropriate to perform an immunohistochemical assessment of MSLN expression to stratify and assess patient suitability for mesothelin-targeted personalised therapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor T cells.},
}

@article {pmid37034512,
year = {2023},
author = {Simsek, FS and Cakmak, M and Kuslu, D and Balci, TA and In, E and Ozercan, IH and Narin, Y},
title = {How can we use positron emission tomography/computed tomography more accurately for characterization of asbestos-related pleural thickening?.},
journal = {Archives of medical science : AMS},
volume = {19},
number = {2},
pages = {385-391},
pmid = {37034512},
issn = {1734-1922},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: There is no consensus about the standardized uptake value maximum (SUVmax) cut-off value to characterize pleural thickening worldwide. Sometimes, this causes unnecessary invasive diagnostic procedures. Our first aim is to determine a cut-off value for SUVmax. Secondly, we try to answer the following question: If we use this cut-off value together with morphological parameters, can we differentiate benign thickening from malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) more accurately?

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-seven patients who underwent 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-glucose ([[18]F]FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) before pleural biopsy were included the study. All of patients had histopathologically proven primary pleural disease. Their [18F]FDG-PET/CT imaging reports were re-assessed. If a patient's SUVmax or size of the thickening was not mentioned in the report, we calculated it with their [18F]FDG-PET/CT.

RESULTS: Age, pleural effusion, size, and SUVmax were found to have a relationship with MPM. We found the size > 14 mm, and SUVmax > 4.0 as cut-off values for MPM. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for size > 14 mm were found to be 86.4%, 85.2%, 82.6%, 88.5%, respectively. For SUVmax > 4.0, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV were 90.9%, 87.0%, 85.1%, 92.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: If a patient has SUVmax > 4.0 and/or size > 14 mm, the risk of MPM is high. These patients should undergo biopsy. If a patient's SUVmax < 4.0, size < 14 mm and does not have pleural effusion, he/she has low risk for MPM. These patients can undergo the follow-up. If a patient's SUVmax < 4, size < 14, and has pleural effusion the MPM risk is approximately 4%. These patients can undergo biopsy/cytology/follow-up. Novel studies are needed for these patients.},
}

@article {pmid37027032,
year = {2023},
author = {Akarsu, M and Ak, G and Dündar, E and Metintaş, M},
title = {Genetic analysis of familial predisposition in the pathogenesis of malignant pleural mesothelioma.},
journal = {Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {37027032},
issn = {1432-1335},
abstract = {PURPOSE: Mesothelioma is the primary tumor of the mesothelial cell membrane. The most important etiology is asbestos exposure. The development of malignant mesothelioma in very few of the population exposed to asbestos and its frequent occurrence in some families may be significant in terms of genetic predisposition. Again, the presence of relatives with mesothelioma who did not have asbestos contact strengthens this argument. This disease, which has limited treatment options and has a poor prognosis, revealing a genetic predisposition, if any, may prolong survival with early diagnosis and effective treatment.

METHODS: Based on the genetic predisposition idea, we diagnosed and followed a total of ten individuals of relatives with mesothelioma. DNA was isolated from peripheral blood and whole genome sequencing analysis was done. Common gene mutations in ten individuals were filtered using bioinformatics. After this filter, from the remaining variants, very rare in the population and damaging mutations are selected.

RESULTS: Eight thousand six hundred and twenty-two common variants have been identified in ten individuals with this analysis. In total, 120 variants were found on 37 genes in 15 chromosomes. These genes are PIK3R4, SLC25A5, ITGB6, PLK2, RAD17, HLA-B, HLA-DRB1, HLA-DQB1, GRM, IL20RA, MAP3K7, RIPK2, and MUC16.

CONCLUSION: Our finding, PIK3R4 gene, is directly associated with mesothelioma development. Twelve genes, which are associated with cancer, were detected in literature. Additional studies, which scan first-degree relatives of individual, are needed to find the specific gene region.},
}

@article {pmid37010194,
year = {2023},
author = {Kitamura, Y and Zha, L and Liu, R and Shima, M and Nakaya, T and Kurumatani, N and Kumagai, S and Goji, J and Sobue, T},
title = {Association of mesothelioma deaths with the neighborhood asbestos exposure due to a large-scale asbestos-cement plant.},
journal = {Cancer science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/cas.15802},
pmid = {37010194},
issn = {1349-7006},
abstract = {A causal relationship between mesothelioma and the occupational asbestos exposure is well known, while few studies have shown a relationship to non-occupational exposures. The aim of this study was to quantify the risk of mesothelioma death associated with neighborhood asbestos exposures due to a large-scale asbestos-cement (AC) plant in Amagasaki, Japan, adjusting properly considerable risk factors including occupational exposures. We conducted a nested case-control study in which a fixed population of 143,929 residents who had been living in Amagasaki City between 1975 and 2002 were followed from 2002 to 2015. All 133 cases and 403 matched controls were interviewed about their occupational, domestic, household, and neighborhood asbestos exposures. Odds ratios (ORs) for mesothelioma death associated with the neighborhood exposure were estimated by a conditional logistic-regression model. For quantitative assessments for neighborhood exposure, we adopted cumulative indices for individuals' residential histories at each residence-specific asbestos concentration multiplied by the duration during the potential exposure period of 1957-1975 (crocidolite). We observed an increasing, dose-dependent risk of mesothelioma death associated with the neighborhood exposure, demonstrating that ORs in the highest quintile category were 21.4 (95% CI: 5.8 - 79.2) for all, 23.7 (95% CI: 3.8 -147.2) for males, and 26.0 (95% CI: 2.8 - 237.5) for females compared to the lowest quintile, respectively. A quantitative assessment for risk of mesothelioma deaths, adjusting for occupational and the other non-occupational exposures separately, showed a dose-dependent association with the neighborhood exposure and no substantial gender differences in magnitude.},
}

@article {pmid36981857,
year = {2023},
author = {Gaitens, JM and Culligan, M and Friedberg, JS and Glass, E and Reback, M and Scilla, KA and Sachdeva, A and Atalla, A and McDiarmid, MA},
title = {Laying the Foundation for a Mesothelioma Patient Registry: Development of Data Collection Tools.},
journal = {International journal of environmental research and public health},
volume = {20},
number = {6},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ijerph20064950},
pmid = {36981857},
issn = {1660-4601},
support = {75D30119P05558/CC/CDC HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {Mesothelioma, a cancer of mesothelial cells that line the chest, lungs, heart, and abdomen, is a relatively rare disease. In the United States, approximately 3000 individuals are diagnosed with mesothelioma annually. The primary risk factor for mesothelioma is occupational asbestos exposure which can occur decades prior to disease development, though in approximately 20% of cases, known asbestos exposure is lacking. While several other countries have developed mesothelioma registries to collect key clinical and exposure data elements to allow better estimation of incidence, prevalence, and risk factors associated with disease development, no national mesothelioma registry exists in the U.S. Therefore, as part of a larger feasibility study, a patient exposure questionnaire and a clinical data collection tool were created using a series of key informant interviews. Findings suggest that risk factor and clinical data collection via an on-line questionnaire is feasible, but specific concerns related to confidentiality, in the context of employer responsibility for exposure in the unique U.S. legal environment, and timing of enrollment must be addressed. Lessons learned from piloting these tools will inform the design and implementation of a mesothelioma registry of national scope.},
}

@article {pmid36981000,
year = {2023},
author = {Doyle, E and Blanchon, D and Wells, S and de Lange, P and Lockhart, P and Waipara, N and Manefield, M and Wallis, S and Berry, TA},
title = {Internal Transcribed Spacer and 16S Amplicon Sequencing Identifies Microbial Species Associated with Asbestos in New Zealand.},
journal = {Genes},
volume = {14},
number = {3},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/genes14030729},
pmid = {36981000},
issn = {2073-4425},
abstract = {Inhalation of asbestos fibres can cause lung inflammation and the later development of asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma, and the use of asbestos is banned in many countries. In most countries, large amounts of asbestos exists within building stock, buried in landfills, and in contaminated soil. Mechanical, thermal, and chemical treatment options do exist, but these are expensive, and they are not effective for contaminated soil, where only small numbers of asbestos fibres may be present in a large volume of soil. Research has been underway for the last 20 years into the potential use of microbial action to remove iron and other metal cations from the surface of asbestos fibres to reduce their toxicity. To access sufficient iron for metabolism, many bacteria and fungi produce organic acids, or iron-chelating siderophores, and in a growing number of experiments these have been found to degrade asbestos fibres in vitro. This paper uses the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 16S amplicon sequencing to investigate the fungal and bacterial diversity found on naturally-occurring asbestos minerals, asbestos-containing building materials, and asbestos-contaminated soils with a view to later selectively culturing promising species, screening them for siderophore production, and testing them with asbestos fibres in vitro. After filtering, 895 ITS and 1265 16S amplicon sequencing variants (ASVs) were detected across the 38 samples, corresponding to a range of fungal, bacteria, cyanobacterial, and lichenized fungal species. Samples from Auckland (North Island, New Zealand) asbestos cement, Auckland asbestos-contaminated soils, and raw asbestos rocks from Kahurangi National Park (South Island, New Zealand) were comprised of very different microbial communities. Five of the fungal species detected in this study are known to produce siderophores.},
}

@article {pmid36980631,
year = {2023},
author = {Mensi, C and Stella, S and Dallari, B and Rugarli, S and Pesatori, AC and Ceresoli, GL and Consonni, D},
title = {Second Primary Cancers in a Population-Based Mesothelioma Registry.},
journal = {Cancers},
volume = {15},
number = {6},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/cancers15061746},
pmid = {36980631},
issn = {2072-6694},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The presence of a second primary cancer (SPC) in patients with pleural mesothelioma (PM) may impact overall survival and suggest a common mechanism of carcinogenesis or an underlying germline genetic alteration.

METHODS: We evaluated the occurrence of SPCs within PM cases collected from 2000 to 2018 by the Lombardy Mesothelioma Registry and their prognostic implications. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to estimate median survival times, together with univariate and multivariate Cox regression models to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of death.

RESULTS: The median overall survival (OS) of the entire study population (N = 6646) was 10.9 months (95% CI: 10.4-11.2); patient age and histotype were the strongest prognostic factors. No substantial survival difference was observed by the presence of an SPC (10.5 months in 1000 patients with an SPC vs. 10.9 months in 5646 patients in the non-SPC group, HR 1.03, p = 0.40). Shorter OS in the SPC group was only observed in 150 patients with the non-epithelioid subtype (median OS of 5.4 vs. 7.1 months, HR 1.21, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of an SPC did not influence the outcome of PM patients in the overall study population but was associated with shorter OS in non-epithelioid cases. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of SPCs as markers of genetic susceptibility in mesothelioma.},
}

@article {pmid36966347,
year = {2023},
author = {Marcu, A and McGregor, F and Egan, B and Hill, K and Cook, T and Arber, A},
title = {Developing sustainable patient and public involvement in mesothelioma research: multi-method exploration with researchers, patients, carers, and patient organisations.},
journal = {Research involvement and engagement},
volume = {9},
number = {1},
pages = {15},
pmid = {36966347},
issn = {2056-7529},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Rare diseases where prognosis is poor provide limited scope for patient and public involvement (PPI). One such disease is mesothelioma, a cancer of the lung pleura or of the peritoneum caused by exposure to asbestos, where PPI is poorly documented. We undertook to explore how PPI could be facilitated in mesothelioma research.

METHODS: An online survey with mesothelioma researchers (n = 23) assessed the perceived benefits and challenges of PPI in mesothelioma. Six online workshops and thirteen in-depth interviews with patients and the public explored their views on how PPI could be increased in mesothelioma and their motivations to become PPI representatives in the future. The survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics and the interviews, using Thematic Analysis.

RESULTS: In the survey, 26% (n = 6) of the researchers did not include PPI in their research, while 74% (n = 17) did, finding it most beneficial at the stages of applying for funding and dissemination. The main perceived benefits of PPI were clarifying the research question and outcome measures, making research more credible and relevant to patients' needs, and increasing its impact. The main perceived challenges to PPI were the general poor prognosis in mesothelioma, and funding timescales which hindered timely recruitment of PPI representatives. The analysis of the interviews with the patients and public revealed three main themes: "Motivations to become a PPI representative in the future", "Understanding the nature of PPI during the project", and "Perceived challenges to PPI in mesothelioma". Altruism and the need for hope were the main reasons to wish to become involved in PPI in the future. For many participants, the project proved to be a journey of understanding the nature of PPI, a concept that was not easy to grasp from the start. The participants perceived certain barriers to PPI such as high symptom burden in mesothelioma, the abstract concept of PPI, and the use of scientific language.

CONCLUSIONS: The present research provides a detailed picture of the benefits and challenges of PPI in mesothelioma. We recommend long-term engagement with mesothelioma support groups so that researchers achieve meaningful and sustainable PPI in mesothelioma research.},
}

@article {pmid36965810,
year = {2022},
author = {Gao, Y and Mazurek, JM and Li, Y and Blackley, D and Weissman, DN and Burton, SV and Amin, W and Landsittel, D and Becich, MJ and Ye, Y},
title = {Industry, occupation, and exposure history of mesothelioma patients in the U.S. National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank, 2006-2022.},
journal = {Environmental research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {115085},
doi = {10.1016/j.envres.2022.115085},
pmid = {36965810},
issn = {1096-0953},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Malignant mesothelioma is associated with environmental and occupational exposure to certain mineral fibers, especially asbestos. This study aims to examine work histories of mesothelioma patients and their survival time.

METHOD: Using the NIOSH Industry and Occupation Computerized Coding System, we mapped occupations and industries recorded for 748 of 1444 patients in the U.S. National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank (NMVB) during the period 2006-2022. Descriptive and survival analyses were conducted.

RESULTS: Among the 1023 industries recorded for those having mesothelioma, the most frequent cases were found for those in manufacturing (n = 225, 22.0%), construction (138, 13.5%), and education services (66, 6.5%); among the 924 occupation records, the most frequent cases were found for those in construction and extraction (174, 18.8%), production (145, 15.7%), and management (84, 9.1%). Males (583) or persons aged >40 years (658) at the time of diagnosis tended to have worked in industries traditionally associated with mesothelioma (e.g., construction), while females (163) or persons aged 20-40 years (27) tended to have worked in industries not traditionally associated with mesothelioma (e.g., health care). Asbestos, unknown substances, and chemical solvents were the most frequently reported exposure, with females most often reporting an unknown substance. A multi-variable Cox Hazard Regression analysis showed that significant prognostic factors associated with decreased survival in mesothelioma cases are sex (male) and work experience in utility-related industry, while factor associated with increased survival are epithelial or epithelioid histological type, prior history of surgery and immunotherapy, and industry experience in accommodation and food services.

CONCLUSION: The NMVB has the potential of serving as a sentinel surveillance mechanism for identifying industries and occupations not traditionally associated with mesothelioma. Results indicate the importance of considering all potential sources of asbestos exposures including occupational, environmental, and extra-occupational exposures when evaluating mesothelioma patients and advising family members.},
}

@article {pmid36965808,
year = {2022},
author = {Bogen, KT},
title = {Ultrasensitive dose-response for asbestos cancer risk implied by new inflammation-mutation model.},
journal = {Environmental research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {115047},
doi = {10.1016/j.envres.2022.115047},
pmid = {36965808},
issn = {1096-0953},
abstract = {Alterations in complex cellular phenotype each typically involve multistep activation of an ultrasensitive molecular switch (e.g., to adaptively initiate an apoptosis, inflammasome, Nrf2-ARE anti-oxidant, or heat-shock activation pathway) that triggers expression of a suite of target genes while efficiently limiting false-positive switching from a baseline state. Such switches exhibit nonlinear signal-activation relationships. In contrast, a linear no-threshold (LNT) dose-response relationship is expected for damage that accumulates in proportion to dose, as hypothesized for increased risk of cancer in relation to genotoxic dose according to the multistage somatic mutation/clonal-expansion theory of cancer, e.g., as represented in the Moolgavkar-Venzon-Knudsen (MVK) cancer model by a doubly stochastic nonhomogeneous Poisson process. Mesothelioma and lung cancer induced by exposure to carcinogenic (e.g., certain asbestos) fibers in humans and experimental animals are thought to involve modes of action driven by mutations, cytotoxicity-associated inflammation, or both, rendering ambiguous expectations concerning the nature of model-implied shape of the low-dose response for above-background increase in risk of incurring these endpoints. A recent Inflammation Somatic Mutation (ISM) theory of cancer posits instead that tissue-damage-associated inflammation that epigenetically recruits, activates and orchestrates stem cells to engage in tissue repair does not merely promote cancer, but rather is a requisite co-initiator (acting together with as few as two somatic mutations) of the most efficient pathway to any type of cancer in any reparable tissue (Dose-Response 2019; 17(2):1-12). This theory is reviewed, implications of this theory are discussed in relation to mesothelioma and lung cancer associated with chronic asbestos inhalation, one of the two types of ISM-required mutations is here hypothesized to block or impede inflammation resolution (e.g., by doing so for GPCR-mediated signal transduction by one or more endogenous autacoid specialized pro-resolving mediators or SPMs), and supporting evidence for this hypothesis is discussed.},
}

@article {pmid36965804,
year = {2022},
author = {Sanchez, MS and McGrath-Koerner, M and McNamee, BD},
title = {"Characterization of elongate mineral particles including talc, amphiboles, and biopyriboles observed in mineral derived powders: Comparisons of analysis of the same talcum powder samples by two laboratories".},
journal = {Environmental research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {114791},
doi = {10.1016/j.envres.2022.114791},
pmid = {36965804},
issn = {1096-0953},
abstract = {Elongate mineral particles, including asbestos, have long been screened in talc and other mineral powders. In recent years, there has been a renewed scrutiny of talc containing asbestos due to allegations in civil litigation in the United States as well as reports, proposals, and white papers by international laboratories and government bodies related to this subject. This study demonstrates the importance of the fundamental understanding of both mineralogy and its application, using microscopy with empirical examples from conflicting analyses of the same talc powders by two independent laboratories in civil litigation in the United States. Methods include polarized light microscopy (PLM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in the accurate measurement of morphological, optical, compositional, and structural data to characterize mineral-based samples. Discussions in this study include: 1) contrasting the interlaboratory findings of amphibole and amphibole asbestos by PLM and TEM using various preparation techniques, 2) the use of multiple analytical tools on a singular particle for identification, 3) the misidentification of anthophyllite asbestos by inexpert use of electron diffraction using TEM, and 4) the misidentification of chrysotile in talc by PLM. These examples emphasize the importance of not only maintaining the existing requirements, but of the need for even more rigorous analytical requirements in routine monitoring of elongate mineral particles that may occur in mineral-based powders.},
}

@article {pmid36965802,
year = {2022},
author = {Darnton, L},
title = {Quantitative assessment of mesothelioma and lung cancer risk based on Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) exposure to asbestos: An update of 2000 data.},
journal = {Environmental research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {114753},
doi = {10.1016/j.envres.2022.114753},
pmid = {36965802},
issn = {1096-0953},
abstract = {An earlier meta-analysis of mortality studies of asbestos-exposed worker populations, quantified excess mesothelioma and lung cancer risks in relation to cumulative exposure to the three main commercial asbestos types. The aim of this paper was to update these analyses incorporating new data based on increased follow-up of studies previously included, as well as studies of worker populations exposed predominantly to single fibre types published since the original analysis. Mesothelioma as a percentage of expected mortality due to all causes of death, percentage excess lung cancer and mean cumulative exposure were abstracted from available mortality studies of workers exposed predominantly to single asbestos types. Average excess mesothelioma and lung cancer per unit of cumulative exposure were summarised for groupings of studies by fibre type; models for pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma risk and lung cancer risk in terms of cumulative exposure for the different fibre types were fitted using Poisson regression. The average mesothelioma risks (per cent of total expected mortality) per unit cumulative exposure (f/cc.yr), RM, were 0.51 for crocidolite, 0.12 for amosite, and 0.03 for the Libby mixed amphiboles cohort. Significant heterogeneity was present for cohorts classed as chrysotile, with RM values of 0.01 for chrysotile textiles cohorts and 0.0011 for other chrysotile-exposed cohorts. Average percentage excess lung cancer risks per unit cumulative exposure, RL, were 4.3 for crocidolite and amosite combined, 0.82 for Libby. Very significant heterogeneity was present for chrysotile-exposed cohorts with RL values spanning two orders of magnitude from 0.053 for the Balangero mine to 4.8 for the South Carlina textiles cohort. Best fitting models suggest a non-linear exposure-response in which the peritoneal mesothelioma risk is proportional to approximately the square of cumulative exposure. Pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer risk were proportion to powers of cumulative exposure slightly less than one and slightly higher than one respectively.},
}

@article {pmid36965801,
year = {2022},
author = {Nel, A},
title = {Carbon nanotube pathogenicity conforms to a unified theory for mesothelioma causation by pathogenic elongate materials and fibers.},
journal = {Environmental research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {114580},
doi = {10.1016/j.envres.2022.114580},
pmid = {36965801},
issn = {1096-0953},
abstract = {The purpose of this review is to elucidate how dimensional and durability characteristics of high aspect ratio nanomaterials (HARN), including carbon nanotubes (CNT) and metal nanowires (MeNW), contribute to understanding the fiber pathogenicity paradigm (FPP), including by explaining the structure-activity relationships (SAR) of a diverse range of natural and synthetic elongate materials that may or may not contribute to mesothelioma development in the lung. While the FPP was originally developed to explain the critical importance of asbestos and synthetic vitreous fiber length, width, aspect ratio and biopersistence in mesothelioma development, there are a vast number of additional inhalable materials that need to be considered in terms of pathogenic features that may contribute to mesothelioma or lack thereof. Not only does the ability to exert more exact control over the length and biopersistence of HARNs allowed confirming the tenets of the FPP, but could be studied by implementating more appropriate toxicological tools for SAR analysis. This includes experimentation with carefully assembled libraries of CNTs and MeNWs, helping to establish more precise dimensional features for interfering in lymphatic drainage from the parietal pleura, triggering of lysosomal damage, frustrated phagocytosis and generation of chronic inflammation. The evidence includes data that long and rigid, but not short and flexible multi-wall CNTs are capable of generating mesotheliomas in rodents based on an adverse outcome pathway requiring access to pleural cavity, obstruction of pleural stomata, chronic inflammation and transformation of mesothelial cells. In addition to durability and dimensional characteristics, bending stiffness of CNTs is a critical factor in determining the shape and rigidity of pathogenic MWCNTs. While no evidence has been obtained in humans that CNT exposure leads to a mesothelioma outcome, it is important to monitor exposure levels and health effect impacts in workers to prevent adverse health outcomes in humans.},
}

@article {pmid36965800,
year = {2022},
author = {Roggl, VL and Green, CL and Liu, B and Carney, JM and Glass, CH and Pavlisko, EN},
title = {Chronological trends in the causation of malignant mesothelioma: Fiber burden analysis of 619 cases over four decades.},
journal = {Environmental research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {114530},
doi = {10.1016/j.envres.2022.114530},
pmid = {36965800},
issn = {1096-0953},
abstract = {Malignant mesothelioma is a relatively rare malignancy with a strong association with prior asbestos exposure. A percentage of cases is not related to asbestos, and fiber analysis of lung tissue is a useful methodology for identifying idiopathic or spontaneous cases. We have performed fiber analyses in more than 600 cases of mesothelioma over the past four decades and were interested in looking for trends in terms of fiber types and concentrations as well as percentages of cases not related to asbestos. Demographic information was also considered including patient age, gender, and tumor location (pleural vs. peritoneal). The histologic pattern of the tumor and the presence or absence of pleural plaques or asbestosis were noted. Fiber analysis was performed in 619 cases, using the sodium hypochlorite technique for digestion of lung tissue samples. Asbestos bodies were counted by light microscopy (LM) and coated and uncoated fibers by scanning electron microscopy (EM). The results were stratified over four decades. Trends that were observed included increasing patient age, increasing percentage of women, increasing percentage of peritoneal cases, and increasing percentage of epithelial histological type. There was a decreasing trend in the percentage of patients with concomitant asbestosis (p < 0.001). The percentage of cases with an elevated lung asbestos content decreased from 90.5% in the 1980s to 54.1% in the 2010s (p < 0.001). This trend also held when the analysis was limited to 490 cases of pleural mesothelioma in men (91.8% in the 1980s vs. 65.1% in the 2010s). There was a decrease in the median asbestos body count by LM from 1390 asbestos bodies per gram of wet lung in the 1980s to 38 AB/gm in the 2010s. Similar trends were observed for each of the asbestos fiber types as detected by EM. We conclude that there has been a progressive decrease in lung fiber content of mesothelioma patients during the past four decades, with an increasing percentage of cases not related to asbestos and an increase in median patient age.},
}

@article {pmid36965799,
year = {2022},
author = {Moolgavkar, SH and Chang, ET and Luebeck, EG},
title = {Multistage carcinogenesis: Impact of age, genetic, and environmental factors on the incidence of malignant mesothelioma.},
journal = {Environmental research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {114582},
doi = {10.1016/j.envres.2022.114582},
pmid = {36965799},
issn = {1096-0953},
abstract = {The current paradigm of carcinogenesis as a cellular evolutionary process driven by mutations of a few critical driver genes has immediate logical implications for the epidemiology of cancer. These include the impact of age on cancer risk, the role played by inherited tumor predisposition syndromes, and the interaction of genetics and environmental exposures on cancer risk. In this paper, we explore the following logical epidemiological consequences of carcinogenesis as a clonal process of mutation accumulation, with special emphasis on asbestos-related cancers, specifically malignant mesothelioma.},
}

@article {pmid36965797,
year = {2022},
author = {Goodman, JE and Becich, MJ and Bernstein, DM and Case, BW and Mandel, JH and Nel, AE and Nolan, R and Odo, NU and Smith, SR and Taioli, E and Gibbs, G},
title = {Non-asbestiform elongate mineral particles and mesothelioma risk: Human and experimental evidence.},
journal = {Environmental research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {114578},
doi = {10.1016/j.envres.2022.114578},
pmid = {36965797},
issn = {1096-0953},
abstract = {The presentations in this session of the Monticello II conference were aimed at summarizing what is known about asbestiform and non-asbestiform elongate mineral particles (EMPs) and mesothelioma risks based on evidence from experimental and epidemiology studies. Dr. Case discussed case reports of mesothelioma over the last several decades. Dr. Taioli indicated that the epidemiology evidence concerning non-asbestiform EMPs is weak or lacking, and that progress would be limited unless mesothelioma registries are established. One exception discussed is that of taconite miners, who are exposed to grunerite. Drs. Mandel and Odo noted that studies of taconite miners in Minnesota have revealed an excess rate of mesothelioma, but the role of non-asbestiform EMPs in this excess incidence of mesothelioma is unclear. Dr. Becich discussed the National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank (NMVB), a virtual mesothelioma patient registry that includes mesothelioma patients' lifetime work histories, exposure histories, biospecimens, proteogenomic information, and imaging data that can be used in epidemiology research on mesothelioma. Dr. Bernstein indicated that there is a strong consensus that long, highly durable respirable asbestiform EMPs have the potential to cause mesothelioma, but there is continued debate concerning the biodurability required, and the dimensions (both length and diameter), the shape, and the dose associated with mesothelioma risk. Finally, Dr. Nel discussed how experimental studies of High Aspect Ratio Engineered Nanomaterials have clarified dimensional and durability features that impact disease risk, the impact of inflammation and oxidative stress on the epigenetic regulation of tumor suppressor genes, and the generation of immune suppressive effects in the mesothelioma tumor microenvironment. The session ended with a discussion of future research needs.},
}

@article {pmid36965795,
year = {2022},
author = {Chatfield, EJ},
title = {Asbestiform fibers and cleavage Fragments: Conceptual approaches for differentiation in laboratory practice and data analysis.},
journal = {Environmental research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {114529},
doi = {10.1016/j.envres.2022.114529},
pmid = {36965795},
issn = {1096-0953},
abstract = {The respirable fractions from 46 different crushed amphibole samples were separated by water elutriation. The dimensions of approximately 200 elongate mineral particles (EMPs) longer than 5 μm in each of these fractions were measured by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The data were used to address three questions: 1. Can amphiboles be classified on a scale that represents the level of inhalation hazard they present? 2. Can prismatic amphibole be discriminated from amphibole asbestos on the basis of EMP size distributions and concentration measurements? 3. How do different exposure indices (Phase Contrast Microscopy Equivalent (PCME), Berman & Crump protocol fibers, Chatfield extra-criteria EMPs) compare when applied to these amphibole samples? For each sample, the number of respirable EMPs longer than 5 μm per gram of respirable dust and the number of extra-criteria EMPs per gram of respirable dust were calculated. The number of respirable EMPs longer than 5 μm per gram of respirable dust and the proportion of those with dimensions associated with mesothelioma in animal studies were considered to be contributors to the inhalation hazard presented by amphibole dust. In addition to these concentration measurements, the median EMP width, median aspect ratio and the aspect ratio geometric standard deviation (GSD) were considered to be relevant parameters in discriminating prismatic amphibole from asbestiform amphibole. A plot of the aspect ratio GSD against either the concentration of respirable EMPs per gram of respirable dust, the median aspect ratio or the median width allowed discrimination. The data showed a close correspondence between exposures in terms of Chatfield extra-criteria EMPs and Berman and Crump protocol structures for all of the amphibole samples. However, although for commercial asbestos varieties exposures in terms of PCME fibers were comparable to those of the other two metrics, they greatly exceeded those for non-asbestiform amphiboles.},
}

@article {pmid36965793,
year = {2023},
author = {Cox, LA and Bogen, K and Conolly, R and Graham, U and Moolgavkar, S and Oberdorster, G and Roggli, V and Turci, F and Mossman, BT},
title = {Mechanisms and shapes of causal exposure-response functions for asbestos in mesotheliomas and lung cancers.},
journal = {Environmental research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {115607},
doi = {10.1016/j.envres.2023.115607},
pmid = {36965793},
issn = {1096-0953},
abstract = {This paper summarizes recent insights into causal biological mechanisms underlying the carcinogenicity of asbestos. It addresses their implications for the shapes of exposure-response curves and considers recent epidemiologic trends in malignant mesotheliomas (MMs) and lung fiber burden studies. Since the commercial amphiboles crocidolite and amosite pose the highest risk of MMs and contain high levels of iron, endogenous and exogenous pathways of iron injury and repair are discussed. Some practical implications of recent developments are that: (1) Asbestos-cancer exposure-response relationships should be expected to have non-zero background rates; (2) Evidence from inflammation biology and other sources suggests that there are exposure concentration thresholds below which exposures do not increase inflammasome-mediated inflammation or resulting inflammation-mediated cancer risks above background risk rates; and (3) The size of the suggested exposure concentration threshold depends on both the detailed time patterns of exposure on a time scale of hours to days and also on the composition of asbestos fibers in terms of their physiochemical properties. These conclusions are supported by complementary strands of evidence including biomathematical modeling, cell biology and biochemistry of asbestos-cell interactions in vitro and in vivo, lung fiber burden analyses and epidemiology showing trends in human exposures and MM rates.},
}

@article {pmid36965792,
year = {2023},
author = {Smith, SR},
title = {An updated review of diffuse mesothelioma of the pleura - A sentinel health event of potential EMP pathogenicity.},
journal = {Environmental research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {115608},
doi = {10.1016/j.envres.2023.115608},
pmid = {36965792},
issn = {1096-0953},
abstract = {There are approximately 400 inorganic minerals in the Earth's crust, some of which can be encountered as elongate mineral particles [EMPs] with dimensional characteristics similar to the six minerals known as asbestos and other asbestiform amphiboles with established human pathogenicity. In addition, the rapidly developing field of nanotechnology is producing an ever-increasing array of high aspect ratio engineered nanomaterials [HARNs] with physical dimensions and biodurability similar to the asbestos fiber types with recognized pathogenic potential. Many of these non-asbestos/non-asbestiform EMPs and HARNs with the potential for aerosolization into the breathing zones of workers and in individuals in non-occupational environments have not yet been thoroughly studied with respect to their potential human pathogenicity, a fact which obviously poses concerns for both occupational health and public health professionals. On the basis of dose-response considerations it seems reasonable to infer that if any of these non-regulated EMPs or HARNs actually are pathogenic, then those mineral fiber exposure-induced disorders associated with the lowest cumulative exposure doses of the commercial amphibole types of asbestos, that is, diffuse mesothelioma of the pleura, and its non-malignant correlate of benign parietal pleural plaques, are those which are most likely to occur following inhalational exposures to any of the non-regulated EMPs and HARNs. Because of that observation, this paper reviews certain aspects of diffuse mesothelioma, including a summary of recent changes in the nomenclature of diffuse mesothelioma of the pleura; of both the descriptive and the analytical epidemiology of the disease; of the etiologies of mesothelioma, both "exposure" related and endogenous in nature; and of the asbestos population attributable fraction for diffuse mesotheliomas in the USA, both historically and in the future.},
}

@article {pmid36944283,
year = {2023},
author = {Belcaid, L and Bertelsen, B and Wadt, K and Tuxen, I and Spanggaard, I and Højgaard, M and Benn Sørensen, J and Ravn, J and Lassen, U and Cilius Nielsen, F and Rohrberg, K and Westmose Yde, C},
title = {New pathogenic germline variants identified in mesothelioma.},
journal = {Lung cancer (Amsterdam, Netherlands)},
volume = {179},
number = {},
pages = {107172},
doi = {10.1016/j.lungcan.2023.03.008},
pmid = {36944283},
issn = {1872-8332},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Mesothelioma (MM) is associated with asbestos exposure, tumor heterogeneity and aggressive clinical behavior. Identification of germline pathogenic variants (PVs) in mesothelioma is relevant for identifying potential actionable targets and genetic counseling.

METHODS: 44 patients underwent whole exome sequencing (WES) or whole genome sequencing (WGS). Germline variants were selected according to association with inherited cancer using a 168-gene in silico panel, and variants classified according to ACMG/AMP classification as pathogenic (class 5) or likely pathogenic (class 4).

RESULTS: In total, 16 patients (36%) were found to carry pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in 13 cancer associated genes (ATM, BAP1, BRCA2, CDKN2A, FANCA, FANCC, FANCD2, FANCM, MUTYH, NBN, RAD51B, SDHA and XPC). The germline PVs occurred in DNA repair pathways, including homologous recombination repair (HRR) (75%), nucleotide excision repair (6%), cell cycle regulatory (7%), base excision repair (6%), and hypoxic pathway (6%). Five (31%) patients with a germline PV had a first or second degree relative with mesothelioma compared to none for patients without a germline PV. Previously undiagnosed BRCA2 germline PVs were identified in two patients. Potential actionable targets based on the germline PVs were found in four patients (9%).

CONCLUSION: This study revealed a high frequency of germline PVs in patients with mesothelioma. Furthermore, we identified germline PVs in two genes (NBN & RAD51B) not previously associated with mesothelioma. The data support germline testing in mesothelioma and provide a rationale for additional investigation of the HRR pathway as a potential actionable target.},
}

@article {pmid36932968,
year = {2023},
author = {Taioli, E and Wolf, A and Alpert, N and Rosenthal, D and Flores, R},
title = {Malignant pleural mesothelioma characteristics and outcomes: A SEER-Medicare analysis.},
journal = {Journal of surgical oncology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/jso.27243},
pmid = {36932968},
issn = {1096-9098},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Pleural mesothelioma is rare cancer linked to asbestos exposure. Previous research has indicated that female individuals have better survival than male individuals, but this has never been examined in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Malignant pleural mesothelioma cases diagnosed from 1992 to 2015 were queried from the linked SEER-Medicare database. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the clinical and demographic factors associated with sex. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards model and propensity matching methods were used to assess sex differences in overall survival (OS) while accounting for potential confounders.

RESULTS: Among 4201 patients included in the analysis, 3340 (79.5%) were males and 861 (20.5%) females. Females were significantly older, with more epithelial histology than males were, and had significantly better OS, adjusted for confounders (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.83, 95% confidence interval: 0.76-0.90). Other variables independently associated with improved survival included younger age at diagnosis, having a spouse/domestic partner, epithelial histology, lower comorbidity score, and receipt of surgery or chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS: The study describes sex differences in mesothelioma occurrence, treatment, and survival and is the first to examine SEER-Medicare. It provides directions for future research into potential therapeutic targets.},
}

@article {pmid36924064,
year = {2023},
author = {Spaziani, E and Di Filippo, AR and Valle, G and Spaziani, M and Francioni, P and Caruso, G and Tamagnini, GT and Mosciatti, E and Picchio, M and De Cesare, A},
title = {A rare case of primary gastric Burkitt's lymphoma associated with malignant pleural mesothelioma.},
journal = {Annali italiani di chirurgia},
volume = {12},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {36924064},
issn = {2239-253X},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Primary gastric Burkitt lymphoma (PG BL) and malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) are rare and aggressive tumors with poor prognosis. HIV and EBV infection have a link in the aetiology of PG BL, while MPM is usually associated with asbestos exposure. Endoluminal bleeding from massive solid tumor, and dyspnea usually due to pleural effusion, are the typical clinical manifestations respectively of PG BL and MPM. In most patients just palliative treatment is indicated.

CASE REPORT: A caucasian elderly male, negative for the proven risk factors, presenting respiratory failure due to massive left pleural effusion with severe mediastinal shift. Contrast enhanced - Computed Tomography (CE-CT) showed a large mass causing circumferential thickening of the gastric fundus, infiltrating the left diaphragmatic dome and the ipsilateral crus. Macroscopically, on endoscopy the gastric fundus appeared completely occupied by an ulcerated large mass protunding in the gastric lumen. Histopathological examination from biopsy specimens taken during esophagogastroduodenoscopy and thoracoscopy allowed to make diagnosis of PG BL and MPM. The patient first underwent a placement of a chest tube drainage for the pleural effusion and then a thoracoscopic talc insufflation (TTI) in the left hemithorax. A surgical treatment of the gastric lesion was planned, due to the rapid growth and the high risk of bleeding. The patient died because of fatal cardiac arrhythmia, before undergoig abdominal surgery.

CONCLUSIONS: This report presents an unique case of PG BL associated with MPM and highlights the real challenge for the physicians to identify them in early stage, especially in patients without the proved risk factors. The onset symptoms make it a very singular case, characterized by severe dyspnea up to respiratory failure, due to massive left pleural effusion and contralateral mediastinal fluttering, without an active bleeding from the gastric mass, while CE-CT findings were instead negative for pleural thickening and positive for circumferential thickening of the gastric fundus.

KEY WORDS: Burkitt Lymphoma, Case Report, Gastric, Pleural Mesothelioma, Pleural Effusion, Respiratory Failure.},
}

@article {pmid36902544,
year = {2023},
author = {Borgeaud, M and Kim, F and Friedlaender, A and Lococo, F and Addeo, A and Minervini, F},
title = {The Evolving Role of Immune-Checkpoint Inhibitors in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma.},
journal = {Journal of clinical medicine},
volume = {12},
number = {5},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/jcm12051757},
pmid = {36902544},
issn = {2077-0383},
abstract = {Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare cancer usually caused by asbestos exposure and associated with a very poor prognosis. After more than a decade without new therapeutic options, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) demonstrated superiority over standard chemotherapy, with improved overall survival in the first and later-line settings. However, a significant proportion of patients still do not derive benefit from ICIs, highlighting the need for new treatment strategies and predictive biomarkers of response. Combinations with chemo-immunotherapy or ICIs and anti-VEGF are currently being evaluated in clinical trials and might change the standard of care in the near future. Alternatively, some non-ICI immunotherapeutic approaches, such as mesothelin targeted CAR-T cells or denditric-cells vaccines, have shown promising results in early phases of trials and are still in development. Finally, immunotherapy with ICIs is also being evaluated in the peri-operative setting, in the minority of patients presenting with resectable disease. The goal of this review is to discuss the current role of immunotherapy in the management of malignant pleural mesothelioma, as well as promising future therapeutic directions.},
}

@article {pmid36901302,
year = {2023},
author = {Buralli, RJ and Pinheiro, RDC and Susviela, LL and Duracenko, SRC and De Capitani, EM and Savaris, A and Algranti, E},
title = {The Brazilian System for Monitoring Workers and General Population Exposed to Asbestos: Development, Challenges, and Opportunities for Workers' Health Surveillance.},
journal = {International journal of environmental research and public health},
volume = {20},
number = {5},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ijerph20054295},
pmid = {36901302},
issn = {1660-4601},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: The lack of safe levels of asbestos exposure and the long latency of asbestos-related disease (ARD) makes workers' health surveillance challenging, especially in lower-income countries. This paper aims to present the recently developed Brazilian system for monitoring workers and general population exposed to asbestos (Datamianto), and to discuss the main challenges and opportunities for workers' health surveillance.

METHODS: a descriptive study of the Datamianto development process, examining all the stages of system planning, development, improvement, validation, availability, and training of health services for its use, in addition to presenting the main challenges and opportunities for its implementation.

RESULTS: The system was developed by a group of software developers, workers' health specialists, and practitioners, and it was recently incorporated by the Ministry of Health to be used for workers' health surveillance. It can facilitate the monitoring of exposed individuals, epidemiological data analysis, promote cooperation between health services, and ensure periodical medical screening guaranteed to workers by labor legislation. Moreover, the system has a Business Intelligence (BI) platform to analyze epidemiologic data and produce near real-time reports.

CONCLUSIONS: Datamianto can support and qualify the healthcare and surveillance of asbestos-exposed workers and ARD, promoting a better quality of life for workers and improving companies' compliance with legislation. Even so, the system's significance, applicability, and longevity will depend on the efforts aimed at its implementation and improvement.},
}

@article {pmid36900330,
year = {2023},
author = {Al Khatib, MO and Pinton, G and Moro, L and Porta, C},
title = {Benefits and Challenges of Inhibiting EZH2 in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma.},
journal = {Cancers},
volume = {15},
number = {5},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/cancers15051537},
pmid = {36900330},
issn = {2072-6694},
abstract = {Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive thoracic cancer that is mainly associated with prior exposure to asbestos fibers. Despite being a rare cancer, its global rate is increasing and the prognosis remains extremely poor. Over the last two decades, despite the constant research of new therapeutic options, the combination chemotherapy with cisplatin and pemetrexed has remained the only first-line therapy for MPM. The recent approval of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB)-based immunotherapy has opened new promising avenues of research. However, MPM is still a fatal cancer with no effective treatments. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a histone methyl transferase that exerts pro-oncogenic and immunomodulatory activities in a variety of tumors. Accordingly, a growing number of studies indicate that EZH2 is also an oncogenic driver in MPM, but its effects on tumor microenvironments are still largely unexplored. This review describes the state-of-the-art of EZH2 in MPM biology and discusses its potential use both as a diagnostic and therapeutic target. We highlight current gaps of knowledge, the filling of which will likely favor the entry of EZH2 inhibitors within the treatment options for MPM patients.},
}

@article {pmid36896837,
year = {2023},
author = {Scarselli, A and Corfiati, M and Marinaccio, A},
title = {Occupational exposure register-based cohort study on mortality among asbestos-related workers in Italy after the ban.},
journal = {European journal of cancer prevention : the official journal of the European Cancer Prevention Organisation (ECP)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1097/CEJ.0000000000000786},
pmid = {36896837},
issn = {1473-5709},
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: Asbestos is a human carcinogen and can cause some types of cancer, including mesothelioma. A relevant number of workers are still engaged in asbestos removal and disposal activities, whose actual risk of asbestos-related diseases is still scarcely recognized. The main objective of this study is to assess the cause-specific mortality among workers involved in asbestos removal and disposal after the ban in Italy.

METHODS: Data from the Information System on Occupational Exposure to carcinogens (SIREP) in the period 1996-2018 were selected. Proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs) by cause of death were calculated by linking exposure occupational information to national mortality statistics (2005-2018), assuming a Poisson distribution of the data.

RESULTS: A total of 142 deaths (all men) were identified among 13 715 asbestos removal and disposal workers. A significant excess (P < 0.05) of mesothelioma deaths was found among male workers, about five-fold the expected. A significant increase in the mortality ratio was also found for malignant melanoma of skin.

CONCLUSIONS: A risk of mesothelioma has been found among workers involved in asbestos removal and disposal. Epidemiological surveillance and promotion of prevention action plans are highly recommended for workers engaged in asbestos removal and disposal activities, to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and reduce the still relevant risk of contracting the related tumor pathology.},
}

@article {pmid36883200,
year = {2023},
author = {Janosikova, M and Nakladalova, M and Stepanek, L},
title = {Current causes of mesothelioma: how has the asbestos ban changed the perspective?.},
journal = {Biomedical papers of the Medical Faculty of the University Palacky, Olomouc, Czechoslovakia},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.5507/bp.2023.008},
pmid = {36883200},
issn = {1804-7521},
abstract = {The association of mesothelioma, a lethal lung disease, with asbestos has led to an absolute ban on asbestos in at least 55 countries worldwide. The purpose of this paper is to review residual exposure to asbestos as well as other emerging causes of mesothelioma outside asbestos. The review provides detailed description of asbestos minerals, their geographical locations, mesothelioma in these areas, as well as contemporary possible sources of asbestos exposure. Second, we examine other emerging causes of mesothelioma including: ionizing radiation as the second most important risk factor after asbestos, particularly relevant to patients undergoing radiotherapy, third, carbon nanotubes which are under investigation and fourth, Simian virus 40. In the case of asbestos per se, the greatest risk is from occupational exposure during mining and subsequent processing. Of the non-occupational exposures, environmental exposure is most serious, followed by exposure from indoor asbestos minerals and secondary familial exposure. Overall, asbestos is still a major risk factor, but alternative causes should not be neglected, especially in young people, in women and those with a history of radiotherapy or living in high-risk locations.},
}

@article {pmid36876393,
year = {2023},
author = {Walther, D and Hunziker, S and Boichat Burdy, S and Ruf, F and Rossi, I and Vernez, D},
title = {[Asbestos related cancers: burden and recognition as occupational diseases].},
journal = {Revue medicale suisse},
volume = {19},
number = {816},
pages = {422-425},
doi = {10.53738/REVMED.2023.19.816.422},
pmid = {36876393},
issn = {1660-9379},
abstract = {Although asbestos has been banned in Switzerland since 1989, diseases caused by asbestos are still present and increasing today. In Switzerland, per year, occupational exposure to asbestos is responsible for approximately 135 deaths from mesothelioma and 930 deaths from lung cancer, though the latter is rarely recognized as an occupational disease. Taking an occupational history is essential for all such diagnosis, especially in smokers, whose risk of lung cancer increases due to the synergistic effect of asbestos and tobacco exposure. The medical practitioner can play an important role in occupational diseases being recognized as such, which is essential for the reimbursement of medical expenses by the accident insurance companies and the allocation of indemnities and pensions for the patient or their family.},
}

@article {pmid36857650,
year = {2023},
author = {Han, J and Park, S and Yon, DK and Lee, SW and Woo, W and Dragioti, E and Koyanagi, A and Jacob, L and Kostev, K and Radua, J and Lee, S and Shin, JI and Smith, L},
title = {Global, Regional, and National Burden of Mesothelioma 1990-2019: A Systematic Analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019.},
journal = {Annals of the American Thoracic Society},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1513/AnnalsATS.202209-802OC},
pmid = {36857650},
issn = {2325-6621},
abstract = {RATIONALE: Mesothelioma has become a major health burden since the second world war due to the use of asbestos. Although many countries have imposed a ban on asbestos, there remains significant mortality and morbidity from mesothelioma owing to its long latent period and aggressiveness. Also, the use of asbestos is increasing in low-income countries, potentiating risk of mesothelioma in the upcoming decades. Assessment of global burden of mesothelioma is required to take proper measures against the disease.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the burden of mesothelioma from 1990 to 2019 at the global, regional, and national level and investigate patterns according to sex, age, socio-demographic index (SDI) and risk factors Methods: The numbers, rates, and age-standardised rates of incidence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of mesothelioma in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019 were estimated using vital registration and cancer registry data. Relationship between SDI and age-standardised DALY rates was determined and DALYs attributable to occupational exposure to asbestos were calculated.

RESULTS: In 2019, there were 34511 (95% UI 31199 to 37771) incident cases of mesothelioma globally, with an age-standardised rate of 0.43 per 100 000 persons (0.38 to 0.47) which decreased between 1990 and 2019 by -12.6% (-21.8 to -2.3). Mesothelioma was responsible for 29251(26668 to 31006) deaths in 2019, with an age-standardised rate of 0.36 deaths per 100 000 persons (0.33 to 0.39), which decreased between 1990 and 2019 by -9.6% (-17.8 to -1.1). The age-standardised incidence rate increased in central Europe between 1990 and 2019 by 46.1% (16.6 to 72.4). Netherlands, Australia, and UK had the highest age-standardised incidence rates. The incidence rates were higher in males than in females from ages 45-49 to 90-94, peaking at ages 85-89. Occupational exposure to asbestos contributed to 91.9% (90.0 to 93.6) of DALYs.

CONCLUSION: Global burden of mesothelioma is decreasing in terms of age-standardised incidence and mortality rates. Mesothelioma remains a substantial public health challenge in many parts of the world.},
}

@article {pmid36833533,
year = {2023},
author = {Lai, H and Hu, C and Qu, M and Liu, X and Xue, Y and Xu, P and Hao, D},
title = {Mesothelioma Due to Workplace Exposure: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis of Current Situation and Future Trends.},
journal = {International journal of environmental research and public health},
volume = {20},
number = {4},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ijerph20042833},
pmid = {36833533},
issn = {1660-4601},
abstract = {Background: This article provides an overview of the current status and research progress of mesothelioma. Methods: A total of 2638 documents published from 1 January 2004 to 30 November 2022 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection and analyzed via Microsoft Office Excel 2019, VOSviewer 1.6.18, and Tableau 2022.2. Results: There was an obvious increase in the number of publications regarding mesothelioma in the last 18 years, with the United States dominating the research field with 715 publications and 23,882 citations, while the University of Turin contributed the most (118). Occupational & Environmental Medicine was the most popular journal (80), with Corrado Magnani being the most prolific author (52) and Michele Carbone obtaining the most citations (4472). "Oncology" and "Health Science of Environment & Occupation" were the two main subjects, while the keywords "asbestos", "lung cancer", "gene expression", "apoptosis", "survival", and "cisplatin" were the most popular. Conclusions: The containment of mesothelioma calls for more participation from low- and middle-income countries, and further attention needs to be paid to clinical research.},
}

@article {pmid36831074,
year = {2023},
author = {Filetti, V and Lombardo, C and Loreto, C and Dounias, G and Bracci, M and Matera, S and Rapisarda, L and Rapisarda, V and Ledda, C and Vitale, E},
title = {Small RNA-Seq Transcriptome Profiling of Mesothelial and Mesothelioma Cell Lines Revealed microRNA Dysregulation after Exposure to Asbestos-like Fibers.},
journal = {Biomedicines},
volume = {11},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biomedicines11020538},
pmid = {36831074},
issn = {2227-9059},
abstract = {Environmental exposure to fibers of respirable size has been identified as a risk for public health. Experimental evidence has revealed that a variety of fibers, including fluoro-edenite, can develop chronic respiratory diseases and elicit carcinogenic effects in humans. Fluoro-edenite (FE) is a silicate mineral first found in Biancavilla (Sicily, Italy) in 1997. Environmental exposure to its fibers has been correlated with a cluster of malignant pleural mesotheliomas. This neoplasm represents a public health problem due to its long latency and to its aggression not alerted by specific symptoms. Having several biomarkers providing us with data on the health state of those exposed to FE fibers or allowing an early diagnosis on malignant pleural mesothelioma, still asymptomatic patients, would be a remarkable goal. To these purposes, we reported the miRNA transcriptome in human normal mesothelial cell line (MeT-5A) and in the human malignant mesothelioma cell line (JU77) exposed and not exposed to FE fibers. The results showed a difference in the number of deregulated miRNAs between tumor and nontumor samples both exposed and not exposed to FE fibers. As a matter of fact, the effect of exposure to FE fibers is more evident in the expression of miRNA in the tumor samples than in the nontumor samples. In the present paper, several pathways involved in the pathogenesis of malignant pleural mesothelioma have been analyzed. We especially noticed the involvement of pathways that have important functions in inflammatory processes, angiogenesis, apoptosis, and necrosis. Besides this amount of data, further studies will be designed for the selection of the most significant miRNAs to test and validate their diagnostic potential, alone or in combination with other protein biomarkers, in high-risk individuals' liquid biopsy to have a noninvasive tool of diagnosis for this neoplasm.},
}

@article {pmid36825373,
year = {2023},
author = {Zona, A and Fazzo, L and Benedetti, M and Bruno, C and Vecchi, S and Pasetto, R and Minichilli, F and De Santis, M and Nannavecchia, AM and Di Fonzo, D and Contiero, P and Ricci, P and Bisceglia, L and Manno, V and Minelli, G and Santoro, M and Gorini, F and Ancona, C and Scondotto, S and Soggiu, ME and Scaini, F and Beccaloni, E and Marsili, D and Villa, MF and Maifredi, G and Magoni, M and Iavarone, I and , },
title = {[SENTIERI - Epidemiological Study of Residents in National Priority Contaminated Sites. Sixth Report].},
journal = {Epidemiologia e prevenzione},
volume = {47},
number = {1-2 Suppl 1},
pages = {1-286},
doi = {10.19191/EP23.1-2-S1.003},
pmid = {36825373},
issn = {1120-9763},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION ADN OBJECTIVES: The Sixth Report presents the results of the "SENTIERI Project: implementation of the permanent epidemiological surveillance system of populations residing in Italian Sites of Remediation Interest", promoted and financed by the Italian Ministry of Health (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention - CCM Project 2018). The aim of this study is to update the mortality and hospitalization analyses concerning the 6,227,531 inhabitants (10.4% of the Italian population) residing in 46 contaminated sites (39 of national interest and 7 of regional interest). The sites include 316 municipalities distributed as follows: 15 in the North-East (20.3% of the investigated population); 104 in the North-West (12% of the investigated population), 32 in the Centre (12.6% of the investigated population), 165 in the South and Islands (55.5% of the investigated population). Analyses were carried out on the paediatric-adolescent (1,128,396 residents) and youth (665,284 residents) population, and a study on congenital anomalies (CA) was carried out at sites covered by congenital malformation registers. Accompanying the epidemiological assessments, site-specific socioeconomic conditions were examined and an overall estimate of excess risk for populations residing at contaminated sites was drawn up. By means of a systematic review of the scientific literature, the epidemiological evidence on causal links between sources of environmental exposure and health effects was updated to identify pathologies of a priori interest.

METHODOLOGY: In the 46 sites included in the SENTIERI Project, mortality (time window: 2013-2017) and hospital admissions (time window: 2014-2018) of the general population of all ages, divided by gender, and of the paediatric-adolescent (0-1 year, 0-14 years, 0-19 years), youth (20-29 years), and overall (0-29 years) age groups, divided by gender, were analysed. In 21 sites, CA diagnosed within the first year of life were studied. Standardised mortality ratios (SMR) and hospitalization ratios (SHR) were calculated with reference to the rates in the regions to which the sites belong. The reference population was calculated net of residents in the sites. CA were studied by calculating the prevalence per 10,000 births and the ratio, multiplied by 100, between the cases observed at the site and those expected on the basis of the prevalences observed in the reference area (region or sub-regional area of belonging, according to the geographical coverage of the registry). The socioeconomic condition studied in the 46 sites is based on the convergence of three deprivation indicators with respect to the reference region: deprivation index at municipal level, deprivation index at census section level, premature mortality indicator (age range 30-69 years) for chronic non-communicable diseases. For the estimation of excess risk for the entire study population, meta-analysis of the mortality and hospitalization risk estimates for each site was carried out and the number of excess deaths estimated for the sites as a whole. The epidemiological evidence was updated through a systematic literature review (January 2009-May 2020), following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The search was carried out on the search engines MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science; the quality of the studies included in the review was assessed using the AMSTAR 2 checklist for systematic reviews and the NewCastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies in the case of cohort and case-control studies and a modified version thereof for ecological and cross-sectional studies. The update was based on the selection of 14 systematic reviews, 15 primary studies, 6 monographs/reports from international scientific organisations on health effects due to the presence of environmental exposure sources.

RESULTS: Mortality. The a priori causes of interest that occur most frequently in excess are, in descending order: malignant lung cancer, malignant mesothelioma of the pleura, malignant bladder cancer, respiratory diseases, non-Hodgkin lymphomas, malignant liver cancer, all malignant tumours, malignant colorectal cancer, malignant stomach cancer, total mesotheliomas, malignant breast cancer, and asbestosis. Hospitalization. The a priori causes of interest that occur most frequently in excess are represented in descending order by: respiratory diseases, malignant lung cancer, malignant tumours of the pleura, malignant bladder cancer, malignant breast cancer, malignant liver cancer, asthma, malignant colorectal cancer, all malignant tumours, malignant stomach cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, acute respiratory diseases, leukaemias. The differences observed between mortality and hospitalization can be attributed to the intrinsic characteristics of the diseases (higher or lower lethality, gender differences in incidence), lifestyles, and occupational phenomena. Age classes. Excesses of general mortality were observed in the first year of life at the Manfredonia, Basso Bacino Fiume Chienti, Litorale Domizio Flegreo and Agro Aversano sites; in the 0-1 year and 0-19 year age groups at Casale Monferrato; in the paediatric age group at Serravalle Scrivia and at the Trento Nord site; in the 0-19 year age group at Sassuolo Scandiano; in the young age group (0-29 years) at the two municipalities of Cerchiara and Cassano (Crotone-Cassano-Cerchiara site). With regard to hospitalization due to natural causes, risk excesses in both genders are found in the first year of life in 35% of the sites (Porto Torres industrial areas, Bari-Fibronit, Basso bacino fiume Chienti, Bolzano, Crotone-Cassano-Cerchiara, Cerro al Lambro, Bologna ETR large repair workshop, Gela, Manfredonia, Massa Carrara, Pioltello Rodano, Pitelli, Priolo, Sesto San Giovanni, Trento Nord, and Trieste). These same sites, with the addition of Casale Monferrato, Cengio e Saliceto, Serravalle Scrivia, and Sulcis-Iglesiente-Guspinese (total: 43% of sites), show excesses for all natural causes, in both genders, even in the paediatric-adolescent age group (0-19 years). Among young adults (20-29 years), the analyses show excesses of hospitalization for all natural causes in both genders in the Bolzano, Crotone-Cassano-Cerchiara, Gela, Manfredonia, Pitelli, Priolo, and Sulcis-Iglesiente-Guspinese sites. Among young women only, excesses for all natural causes are also found in Brescia Caffaro, Brindisi, Broni, Casale Monferrato, Crotone-Cassano-Cerchiara, Falconara Marittima, Fidenza, and Massa Carrara. Congenital anomalies. In the 21 sites investigated for CA, 10,126 cases of CA, validated by participating registers, were analysed out of 304,620 resident births. Genital CA is the subgroup for which the greatest number of excesses was observed (in 6 out of 21 sites). The available evidence does not allow a causal link to be established between the excesses observed for specific subgroups of ACs and exposure to industrial sources, but the results suggest further action. The interpretation of the results appears, in fact, particularly complex as the scientific literature on the association between exposure to industrial sources and AC is very limited. Socioeconomic status. The sites in which the indicators converge to show the presence of fragility are: Litorale Vesuviano area, Val Basento industrial areas, Basso Bacino fiume Chienti, Biancavilla, Crotone-Cassano-Cerchiara, Litorale Domizio Flegreo and Agro Aversano, Livorno, Massa Carrara, Trieste. Global impact. Over the period 2013-2017, an estimated 8,342 excess deaths (CI90% 1,875-14,809) or approximately 1,668 excess cases/year, 4,353 excess deaths among males (CI90% 334-8,372) and 3,989 among females (CI90% -1,122;9,101). The pooled excess risk of general mortality is 2% in both genders (pooled SMR 1.02; CI90% 1.00-1.04). The proportion of excess deaths to total observed deaths is almost constant over time, rising from 2.5% in 1995-2002 to 2.6% in 2013-2017. The number of deaths in absolute value is also very similar between the periods analysed. Deaths from all malignant tumours contribute the most by accounting for 56% of the observed excesses, the excess risk of mortality from malignant tumours across all sites, compared to the reference populations, is 4% in the male population (pooled SMR 1.04; CI90% 1.01-1.06) and 3% among the female population (pooled SMR 1.03; CI90% 1.01-1.05). Hospitalization (2014-2018) in the 46 sites as a whole was in excess of 3% for all causes, in both genders, for all major disease groups (males: SHR pooled 1.03; CI90% 1.01-1.04 - females: SHR pooled 1.03; CI90% 1.01-1.05). The results for the pooled estimates at the 46 sites on the general population, both with regard to mortality and hospitalization, are consistent in indicating excess risk in both genders for all the diseases considered and, in particular, for all malignancies. A total of 1,409 paediatric-adolescent deaths and 999 young adult deaths were observed, and the pooled analysis of mortality across the 46 sites showed no critical issues, with pooled estimates for all causes, perinatal morbid conditions and all malignancies falling short of expectations. The analysis of hospitalizations, on the other hand, showed an excess risk of 8% (males: SHR pooled 1.08; CI90% 1.03-1.13 - females: SHR pooled 1.08; CI90% 1.03-1.14) for all causes in the first year of life, and in paediatric-adolescent and juvenile age of 3-4% among males (age 0-19 years: SHR pooled 1.04; CI90% 1.02-1.06 - age 20-29 years: SHR pooled 1.03; CI90% 1.00-1.05) and 5% among females (in both age groups; SHR pooled 1.05; CI90% 1.02-1.08). The pooled analysis of mortality for the a priori identified diseases reported excesses for specific diseases in the group of sites with sources of exposure associated with them. Mortality from total mesotheliomas is three times higher at sites with asbestos present (males: pooled SMR 3.02; CI90% 2.18-3.87 - females: pooled SMR 3.61; CI90% 2.33-4.88) and that from pleural mesotheliomas more than two times higher at the group of sites with asbestos and port areas (males: pooled SMR 2.47; CI90% 1.94-3.00 - females: pooled SMR 2.43; CI90% 1.67-3.19). Lung cancer was in excess by 6% among males (pooled SMR 1.06; CI90% 1.03-1.10) and 7% among females (pooled SMR 1.07; CI90% 1.00-1.13). In addition, there are excess mortalities for colorectal cancer at sites with chemical plants, by 4 % among males (SMR pooled 1.04; CI90% 1.01-1.08) and 3 % among females (SMR pooled 1.03; CI90% 1.00-1.07) and for bladder cancer among the male population of sites with landfills (+6 %: SMR pooled 1.06; CI90% 1.02-1.11). Among the diseases of a priori interest, stomach and soft tissue cancers are at fault as a cause of death among all the sites considered.

LITERATURE REVIEW: The update of the epidemiological evidence underlying the Sixth SENTIERI Report has highlighted in the general population a possible association, previously undiscovered, between certain diseases and residence near petrochemical and steel plants, landfills, coal mines and asbestos sources.

CONCLUSIONS AND PERSPECTIVES: Despite the fact that this is an ecological study, and the excesses of pathologies with multifactorial aetiology can never be mechanically attributed solely to the environmental pressure factors that exist or existed in the areas studied, the ability to identify the excesses found in the contaminated sites investigated by the SENTIERI Project confirms the validity of this method of assessing the site-specific health profile, based on the use of epidemiological evidence to identify pathologies of interest a priori. In interpreting the data and lending robustness to what has been observed, comparison with the results obtained in previous Reports is essential. The global estimates give an overall picture that shows excess mortality and hospitalization in these populations compared to the rest of the population, and show how, for specific pathologies, comparable effects are produced at sites with similar contamination characteristics. The themes developed in the in-depth chapters broaden the vision and understanding of the complex interactions between environment and health, describe the possibilities offered by new ways of communicating the results, and confirm the modernity of a Project that began way back in 2006, and that could be grafted onto the objectives of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan within the framework of the Operational Programme Health, Environment, Biodiversity and Climate.},
}

@article {pmid36819965,
year = {2023},
author = {Gariazzo, C and Gasparrini, A and Marinaccio, A},
title = {Asbestos Consumption and Malignant Mesothelioma Mortality Trends in the Major User Countries.},
journal = {Annals of global health},
volume = {89},
number = {1},
pages = {11},
pmid = {36819965},
issn = {2214-9996},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The causal association between mesothelioma and asbestos exposure is conclusive, and many studies have proved that the trend in asbestos use is a strong predictor of the pattern in mesothelioma cases with an adequate latency time (generally around 30-40 years or more). Recently, a novel approach for predicting malignant pleural mesothelioma, based on asbestos consumption trend and using distributed non-linear models, has been applied.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to analyse trends in asbestos consumption and malignant mesothelioma mortality in the major asbestos-user countries. Furthermore, we applied distributed non-linear models to estimate and compare epidemiological relationships between asbestos consumption and mesothelioma mortality across these countries.

METHODS: The study involves major asbestos-user countries in which historical asbestos consumption and mesothelioma mortality data are available. Data on asbestos consumption were derived from worldwide asbestos supply and mesothelioma mortality data from World Health Organization (WHO) mortality archives. A quasi-Poisson generalized linear model was used to model past asbestos exposure and male mesothelioma mortality rates in each country. Exposure-response associations have been modelled using distributed lag non-linear models.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: According to the criteria defined above, we selected 18 countries with raw asbestos cumulative consumptions higher than two million tons in the period 1933-2012. Overall, a clear linear relationship can be observed between total consumption and total deaths for mesothelioma. Country-specific exposure, lag and age-response relationships were identified and common functions extracted by a meta-analysis procedure. Non-linear models appear suitable and flexible tools for investigating the association between mesothelioma mortality and asbestos consumption. There is a need to improve the global epidemiological surveillance of asbestos-related diseases, particularly mesothelioma mortality, and the absence of reliable data for some major asbestos-user countries is a real concern. A reliable assessment of mesothelioma mortality is a fundamental step towards increasing the awareness of related risks and the need of an international ban on asbestos.},
}

@article {pmid36808895,
year = {2023},
author = {Sejben, A and Pancsa, T and Tiszlavicz, L and Furák, J and Paróczai, D and Zombori, T},
title = {Highlighting the immunohistochemical differences of malignant mesothelioma subtypes via case presentations.},
journal = {Thoracic cancer},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/1759-7714.14827},
pmid = {36808895},
issn = {1759-7714},
abstract = {Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a rare tumor of mesothelial cells, with an increasing incidence both in developed and developing countries. MM has three major histological subtypes, in order of frequency, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of 2021: epithelioid, biphasic, and sarcomatoid MM. Distinction may be a challenging task for the pathologist, due to the unspecific morphology. Here, we present two cases of diffuse MM subtypes to emphasize the immunohistochemical (IHC) differences, and to facilitate diagnostic difficulties. In our first case of epithelioid mesothelioma, the neoplastic cells showed cytokeratin 5/6 (CK5/6), calretinin, and Wilms-tumor-1 (WT1) expression, while remaining negative with thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1). BRCA1 associated protein-1 (BAP1) negativity was seen in the neoplastic cells' nucleus, reflecting loss of the tumor suppressor gene. In the second case of biphasic mesothelioma, expression of epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), CKAE1/AE3, and mesothelin was observed, while WT1, BerEP4, CD141, TTF1, p63, CD31, calretinin, and BAP1 expressions were not detected. Due to the absence of specific histological features, the differentiation between MM subtypes could be a challenging task. In routine diagnostic work, IHC may be the proper method in distinction. According to our results and literature data, CK5/6, mesothelin, calretinin, and Ki-67 should be applied in subclassification.},
}

@article {pmid36800547,
year = {2023},
author = {Hocking, AJ and Thomas, EM and Prabhakaran, S and Jolley, A and Woods, SL and Soeberg, MJ and Klebe, S},
title = {Molecular Characterization of Testicular Mesothelioma and the Role of Asbestos as a Causative Factor.},
journal = {Archives of pathology & laboratory medicine},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.5858/arpa.2022-0283-OA},
pmid = {36800547},
issn = {1543-2165},
abstract = {CONTEXT.—: Mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis (TVT) is an extremely rare form of mesothelioma.

OBJECTIVE.—: To compare the clinical and molecular characteristics of mesothelioma of the TVT with those of mesothelioma at other more common sites, including the relationship with exposure to asbestos.

DESIGN.—: We present clinical and pathological data for 9 cases of primary TVT mesothelioma. We performed whole-genome sequencing on 3 cases for the first time.

RESULTS.—: The majority (7 of 9 cases) of TVT mesotheliomas were epithelioid, with the remaining 2 cases showing biphasic morphology. Morphology and immunohistochemical profiles were indistinguishable from mesothelioma elsewhere. Asbestos exposure was documented for 7 of the 9 cases, with no information for 2 cases. The 3 TVT mesothelioma cases that underwent whole-genome sequencing displayed a mutational profile similar to that of mesothelioma at other sites, including NF2 and TP53 mutations.

CONCLUSIONS.—: The clinical and molecular profile of TVT mesothelioma is similar to that of mesothelioma elsewhere.},
}

@article {pmid36785667,
year = {2023},
author = {Kapila, D and Panwar, S and Raja, MKMM and Mondal, T and Rafi, SM and Singh, SP and Kumar, B},
title = {Applications of Neural Network-Based Plan-Cancer Method for Primary Diagnosis of Mesothelioma Cancer.},
journal = {BioMed research international},
volume = {2023},
number = {},
pages = {3164166},
pmid = {36785667},
issn = {2314-6141},
abstract = {"Malignant mesothelioma (MM)" is an uncommon although fatal form of cancer. The proper MM diagnosis is crucial for efficient therapy and has significant medicolegal implications. Asbestos is a carcinogenic material that poses a health risk to humans. One of the most severe types of cancer induced by asbestos is "malignant mesothelioma." Prolonged shortness of breath and continuous pain are the most typical symptoms of the condition. The importance of early treatment and diagnosis cannot be overstated. The combination "epithelial/mesenchymal appearance of MM," however, makes a definite diagnosis difficult. This study is aimed at developing a deep learning system for medical diagnosis MM automatically. Otherwise, the sickness might cause patients to succumb to death in a short amount of time. Various forms of artificial intelligence algorithms for successful "Malignant Mesothelioma illness" identification are explored in this research. In relation to the concept of traditional machine learning, the techniques support "Vector Machine, Neural Network, and Decision Tree" are chosen. SPSS has been used to analyze the result regarding the applications of Neural Network helps to diagnose MM.},
}

@article {pmid36781903,
year = {2023},
author = {Vasuri, F and Deserti, M and Corradini, AG and Tavolari, S and Relli, V and Palloni, A and Frega, G and Curti, S and Mattioli, S and Cescon, M and D'Errico, A and Brandi, G},
title = {Asbestos exposure as an additional risk factor for small duct intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a pilot study.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {13},
number = {1},
pages = {2580},
pmid = {36781903},
issn = {2045-2322},
abstract = {Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a rare malignancy, recently classified in small duct and large duct morphological subtypes. Growing evidence suggests asbestos as a putative risk factor for iCCA, albeit no correlation between asbestos and iCCA morphology has been investigated so far. The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between asbestos exposure and iCCA morphological subtype. Forty patients with surgically removed iCCA were prospectively enrolled: asbestos exposure was assessed according to the Italian National Mesothelioma Register questionnaire. From the surgical iCCA specimens the main histopathological variables were collected, including the small duct (sd-iCCA, 32 patients) and large duct subtypes (ld-iCCA, 8 patients). Five sd-iCCA cases had a definite/probable occupational exposure to asbestos, while no cases of ld-iCCA were classified as being occupationally exposed (definite/probable). Other kind of asbestos exposure (i.e. possible occupational, familial, environmental) were recorded in 16 sd-iCCA and 3 ld-iCCA. Cases with unlikely exposure to asbestos were 11 sd-iCCA (35.5%) and 5 ld-iCCA (62.5%). In conclusion, these findings seem to indicate that sd-iCCA might be more frequently associated to asbestos exposure rather than ld-iCCA, suggesting that asbestos fibres might represent a parenchymal, rather than a ductal risk factor for iCCA. This pilot study must be confirmed by further case-control studies or large independent cohorts.},
}

@article {pmid36781827,
year = {2023},
author = {Iwadare, T and Kimura, T and Nagata, Y and Suzuki, H and Kunimoto, H and Kitabatake, H and Seki, A and Ochi, Y and Hara, E and Umemura, T},
title = {A case of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma with a Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome-like imaging finding.},
journal = {Clinical journal of gastroenterology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {36781827},
issn = {1865-7265},
abstract = {Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPeM) is a rare disease with a poor prognosis that develops in the mesothelial cells of the peritoneum. We encountered a 48-year-old man with no prior asbestos exposure who visited our hospital with abdominal pain. Laboratory findings showed elevated C-reactive protein of 15.5 mg/dL. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) detected a Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome-like contrast effect on the liver surface and thickening of the peritoneum. Blood culture, Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific IFN-γ release assay, Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae DNA testing, and antinuclear antibody were all negative. CA125 was high at 124.8 U/mL. The laparoscopy for diagnostic purposes revealed adhesions between the liver surface and peritoneum in addition to numerous small and large white nodules on the peritoneum. Biopsy of the nodules confirmed the diagnosis of epithelial-type MPeM. Treatment was initiated with combined cisplatin and pemetrexed, and CT 6 months later showed a reduced contrast effect on the liver surface and improved peritoneal thickening. A Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome-like contrast effect on the liver surface on contrast-enhanced CT may help identify MPeM.},
}

@article {pmid36775192,
year = {2023},
author = {Huang, J and Chan, SC and Pang, WS and Chow, SH and Lok, V and Zhang, L and Lin, X and Lucero-Prisno, DE and Xu, W and Zheng, ZJ and Elcarte, E and Withers, M and Wong, MC},
title = {Global Incidence, Risk Factors, and Temporal Trends of Mesothelioma: a population-based study.},
journal = {Journal of thoracic oncology : official publication of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.jtho.2023.01.095},
pmid = {36775192},
issn = {1556-1380},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Mesothelioma is an uncommon type of cancer which has received little attention. This study aims to evaluate the global disease burden, trends of mesothelioma by age, sex and geographical locations, and investigate its risk factors on the population level.

METHODS: Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN), Cancer Incidence in Five Continents Plus (CI5 Plus), Global Burden of Disease (GBD) were accessed for mesothelioma incidence and its risk factors worldwide. The associations between mesothelioma incidence and asbestos were examined for each country by multivariable linear regression analysis by sex and age. Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC) was calculated using Joinpoint regression to examine epidemiological trends of mesothelioma.

RESULTS: The age-standardised rate of mesothelioma was 0.30 per 100,000 persons with Northern Europe reporting the highest incidence rates. The incidence rate of the male population was much higher than females. Countries with higher HDI (β=0.119, CI 0.073 to 0.166, p<0.001), GDP per capita (β=0.133, CI 0.106 to 0.161, p<0.001), and asbestos exposure (β=0.087, CI 0.073 to 0.102, p<0.001; Figure) had higher mesothelioma. The overall trend of mesothelioma incidence was decreasing although an increase was observed in Bulgaria (AAPC: 5.56, 95% CI: 2.94 to 8.24, p=0.001) and Korea (AAPC: 3.24, 95% CI 0.08 to 6.49, p=0.045).

CONCLUSION: There was a significant declining incidence trend of mesothelioma for the past decade possibly related to the restriction of the use of asbestos in some countries. Meanwhile, the increasing trend in mesothelioma incidence observed in females might be indicative of an increase in environmental exposure to mineral fibres.},
}

@article {pmid36765599,
year = {2023},
author = {Palstrøm, NB and Overgaard, M and Licht, P and Beck, HC},
title = {Identification of Highly Sensitive Pleural Effusion Protein Biomarkers for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma by Affinity-Based Quantitative Proteomics.},
journal = {Cancers},
volume = {15},
number = {3},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/cancers15030641},
pmid = {36765599},
issn = {2072-6694},
abstract = {Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an asbestos-associated, highly aggressive cancer characterized by late-stage diagnosis and poor prognosis. Gold standards for diagnosis are pleural biopsy and cytology of pleural effusion (PE), both of which are limited by low sensitivity and markedly inter-observer variations. Therefore, the assessment of PE biomarkers is considered a viable and objective diagnostic tool for MPM diagnosis. We applied a novel affinity-enrichment mass spectrometry-based proteomics method for explorative analysis of pleural effusions from a prospective cohort of 84 patients referred for thoracoscopy due to clinical suspicion of MPM. Protein biomarkers with a high capability to discriminate MPM from non-MPM patients were identified, and a Random Forest algorithm was applied for building classification models. Immunohistology of pleural biopsies confirmed MPM in 40 patients and ruled out MPM in 44 patients. Proteomic analysis of pleural effusions identified panels of proteins with excellent diagnostic properties (90-100% sensitivities, 89-98% specificities, and AUC 0.97-0.99) depending on the specific protein combination. Diagnostic proteins associated with cancer growth included galactin-3 binding protein, testican-2, haptoglobin, Beta ig-h3, and protein AMBP. Moreover, we also confirmed previously reported diagnostic accuracies of the MPM markers fibulin-3 and mesothelin measured by two complementary mass spectrometry-based methods. In conclusion, a novel affinity-enrichment mass spectrometry-based proteomics identified panels of proteins in pleural effusion with extraordinary diagnostic accuracies, which are described here for the first time as biomarkers for MPM.},
}

@article {pmid36765038,
year = {2023},
author = {Yang, H and Gao, Y and Xu, D and Xu, K and Liang, SQ and Yang, Z and Scherz, A and Hall, SRR and Forster, S and Berezowska, S and Yao, F and Ochsenbein, AF and Marti, TM and Kocher, GJ and Schmid, RA and Dorn, P and Peng, RW},
title = {MEK1 drives oncogenic signaling and interacts with PARP1 for genomic and metabolic homeostasis in malignant pleural mesothelioma.},
journal = {Cell death discovery},
volume = {9},
number = {1},
pages = {55},
pmid = {36765038},
issn = {2058-7716},
abstract = {Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a lethal malignancy etiologically caused by asbestos exposure, for which there are few effective treatment options. Although asbestos carcinogenesis is associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS), the bona fide oncogenic signaling pathways that regulate ROS homeostasis and bypass ROS-evoked apoptosis in MPM are poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK is hyperactive and a molecular driver of MPM, independent of histological subtypes and genetic heterogeneity. Suppression of MAPK signaling by clinically approved MEK inhibitors (MEKi) elicits PARP1 to protect MPM cells from the cytotoxic effects of MAPK pathway blockage. Mechanistically, MEKi induces impairment of homologous recombination (HR) repair proficiency and mitochondrial metabolic activity, which is counterbalanced by pleiotropic PARP1. Consequently, the combination of MEK with PARP inhibitors enhances apoptotic cell death in vitro and in vivo that occurs through coordinated upregulation of cytotoxic ROS in MPM cells, suggesting a mechanism-based, readily translatable strategy to treat this daunting disease. Collectively, our studies uncover a previously unrecognized scenario that hyperactivation of the MAPK pathway is an essential feature of MPM and provide unprecedented evidence that MAPK signaling cooperates with PARP1 to homeostatically maintain ROS levels and escape ROS-mediated apoptosis.},
}

@article {pmid36757881,
year = {2023},
author = {Bonde, A and Singh, R and Prasad, SR and Kamireddy, D and Aggarwal, A and Ramani, N and Saboo, S and Shanbhogue, K and Dasyam, AK and Katabathina, VS},
title = {Mesotheliomas and Benign Mesothelial Tumors: Update on Pathologic and Imaging Findings.},
journal = {Radiographics : a review publication of the Radiological Society of North America, Inc},
volume = {43},
number = {3},
pages = {e220128},
doi = {10.1148/rg.220128},
pmid = {36757881},
issn = {1527-1323},
abstract = {A diverse spectrum of benign entities and malignant neoplasms originate from the monotonous mesothelium that lines the serosal membranes of the pleural, pericardial, and peritoneal cavities. The mesothelium of myriad sites shows a common origin from the lateral plate mesoderm; primary mesothelial tumors thus demonstrate similar pathogenesis, imaging findings, and treatment options. Significant changes have been made in the 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) classification schemata of the pleural and pericardial tumors on the basis of recent advances in pathology and genetics. While malignant mesotheliomas are biologically aggressive malignancies that occur primarily in patients exposed to asbestos with attendant poor survival rates, well-differentiated papillary mesothelial tumors and adenomatoid tumors charter a benign clinical course with an excellent prognosis. Mesothelioma in situ is a newly characterized entity represented by recurrent unexplained pleural effusions without any identifiable mass at imaging or thoracoscopy. Immunohistochemical markers based on BAP1, MTAP, CDKN2A, and TRAF7 gene mutations help differentiate diffuse mesotheliomas from benign mesothelial proliferations and localized mesotheliomas. Cross-sectional imaging modalities, including US, CT, MRI, and fluorine 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT, permit diagnosis and play a major role in staging and assessing surgical resectability. Imaging studies are invaluable in providing noninvasive and quantitative assessment of tumor response in patients with unresectable disease. Owing to significant overlap in patient characteristics and pathomorphology, accurate diagnosis based on advanced histopathology techniques and genetic abnormalities is imperative for optimal management and prognostication. While patients with nonepithelioid pleural mesotheliomas benefit from immunotherapy, novel targeted therapies for CDKN2A-, NF2-, and BAP1-altered mesotheliomas are under consideration. [©] RSNA, 2023 Quiz questions for this article are available through the Online Learning Center.},
}

@article {pmid36754595,
year = {2023},
author = {Walker-Bone, K and Benke, G and MacFarlane, E and Klebe, S and Takahashi, K and Brims, F and Sim, MR and Driscoll, TR},
title = {Incidence and mortality from malignant mesothelioma 1982-2020 and relationship with asbestos exposure: the Australian Mesothelioma Registry.},
journal = {Occupational and environmental medicine},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1136/oemed-2022-108669},
pmid = {36754595},
issn = {1470-7926},
abstract = {OBJECTIVES: Malignant mesothelioma is an uncommon cancer associated with asbestos exposure, predominantly occupational. Asbestos has been banned in Australia since 2003 but mesothelioma has a long latency and incident cases continue to present. The Australian Mesothelioma Registry was incepted to collect systematic data about incidence and mortality alongside asbestos exposure.

METHODS: Benefiting from the Australian national system of cancer notification, all incident cases of mesothelioma in all states and territories are fast-tracked and notified regularly. Notified patients are contacted asking for consent to collect exposure information, initially by postal questionnaire and subsequently by telephone interview. Age-standardised annual incidence rates and mortality rates were calculated. Asbestos exposure was categorised as occupational, non-occupational, neither or, both; and as low, or high, probability of exposure.

RESULTS: Mesothelioma incidence appears to have peaked. The age-standardised incidence rates have declined steadily since the early 2000s (peaking in males at 5.9/100 000 and in all-persons at 3.2/100 000), driven by rates in males, who comprise the majority of diagnosed cases. Rates in women have remained fairly stable since that time. Age-standardised mortality rates have followed similar trends. Mesothelioma remains the most common in those aged over 80 years. Nearly all (94%) cases were linked with asbestos exposure (78% occupational in men; 6.8% in women).

CONCLUSIONS: With effective control of occupational asbestos use, the decline in age-standardised incidence and death rates has occurred. Incidence rates among women, in whom occupational asbestos exposure is rarely detectable, remain unchanged, pointing to the role of household and /or environmental asbestos exposure.},
}

@article {pmid36740402,
year = {2023},
author = {Cunningham, R and Jia, S and Purohit, K and Salem, O and Hui, NS and Lin, Y and Carragher, NO and Hansen, CG},
title = {YAP/TAZ activation predicts clinical outcomes in mesothelioma and is conserved in in vitro model of driver mutations.},
journal = {Clinical and translational medicine},
volume = {13},
number = {2},
pages = {e1190},
doi = {10.1002/ctm2.1190},
pmid = {36740402},
issn = {2001-1326},
support = {19-0238//Worldwide Cancer Research/United Kingdom ; 204804/Z/16/Z//Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; },
abstract = {The Hippo signalling pathway is dysregulated across a wide range of cancer types and, although driver mutations that directly affect the core Hippo components are rare, a handful is found within pleural mesothelioma (PM). PM is a deadly disease of the lining of the lung caused by asbestos exposure. By pooling the largest-scale clinical datasets publicly available, we here interrogate associations between the most prevalent driver mutations within PM and Hippo pathway disruption in patients, while assessing correlations with a variety of clinical markers. This analysis reveals a consistent worse outcome in patients exhibiting transcriptional markers of YAP/TAZ activation, pointing to the potential of leveraging Hippo pathway transcriptional activation status as a metric by which patients may be meaningfully stratified. Preclinical models recapitulating disease are transformative in order to develop new therapeutic strategies. We here establish an isogenic cell-line model of PM, which represents the most frequently mutated genes and which faithfully recapitulates the molecular features of clinical PM. This preclinical model is developed to probe the molecular basis by which the Hippo pathway and key driver mutations affect cancer initiation and progression. Implementing this approach, we reveal the role of NF2 as a mechanosensory component of the Hippo pathway in mesothelial cells. Cellular NF2 loss upon physiological stiffnesses analogous to the tumour niche drive YAP/TAZ-dependent anchorage-independent growth. Consequently, the development and characterisation of this cellular model provide a unique resource to obtain molecular insights into the disease and progress new drug discovery programs together with future stratification of PM patients.},
}

@article {pmid36729166,
year = {2023},
author = {Slavik, CE and Demers, PA and Tamburic, L and Warden, H and McLeod, C},
title = {Do patterns of past asbestos use and production reflect current geographic variations of cancer risk?: mesothelioma in Ontario and British Columbia, Canada.},
journal = {Cancer causes & control : CCC},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {36729166},
issn = {1573-7225},
abstract = {PURPOSE: Canada was a major global asbestos producer and consumer. Geographic patterns of Canadian asbestos use and mesothelioma, a highly fatal cancer linked to asbestos exposure, have not been previously reported. This study summarized key trends in mesothelioma incidence by geography and time in two Canadian provinces, Ontario and British Columbia (BC), and explored how past workforce characteristics and geographic trends in asbestos production and use may shape variations in regional rates of mesothelioma.

METHODS: We report trends in mesothelioma incidence (1993-2016) for Ontario and British Columbia using population-based incidence data that were age-standardized to the 2011 Canadian population. Historical records of asbestos production and use were analyzed to geo-locate industrial point sources of asbestos in Ontario and BC. The prevalence of occupations in regions with the highest and lowest rates of mesothelioma in Ontario and BC were calculated using labor force statistics from the 1981 Canadian Census.

RESULTS: Regional mesothelioma rates varied in both provinces over time; more census divisions in both Ontario and BC registered mesothelioma rates in the highest quintile of incidences during the period 2009 to 2016 than in any prior period examined. Certain occupations such as construction trades workers were more likely to be overrepresented in regions with high mesothelioma rates.

CONCLUSION: This work explored how studying asbestos exposure and mesothelioma incidence at small-scale geographies could direct cancer surveillance and research to more targeted areas. Findings indicated that regional variations in mesothelioma could signal important differences in past occupational and potentially environmental exposures.},
}

@article {pmid36724751,
year = {2023},
author = {Endo, I and Amatya, VJ and Kushitani, K and Nakagiri, T and Aoe, K and Takeshima, Y},
title = {miR-142-3p Suppresses Invasion and Adhesion of Mesothelioma Cells by Downregulating ITGAV.},
journal = {Pathobiology : journal of immunopathology, molecular and cellular biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-11},
doi = {10.1159/000528670},
pmid = {36724751},
issn = {1423-0291},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer associated with asbestos exposure. Currently, the efficacy of therapeutics is limited in malignant mesothelioma, and developing more effective therapies is the need of the hour. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), have attracted attention as therapeutic targets. To explore potential therapeutic targets, we focused on miR-142-3p expression, which was found to be significantly downregulated in mesothelioma cell lines in our previous study.

METHODS: Mesothelioma cell lines and tissues were validated for expression of miR-142-3p or integrin subunit alpha-V (ITGAV). We transfected mesothelioma cell lines with miR-142-3p mimic and ITGAV siRNA and analyzed their biological functions.

RESULTS: We found that miR-142-3p was significantly downregulated in mesothelioma tissues. Transfection with miR-142-3p mimic significantly suppressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Bioinformatics analysis of potential targets of miR-142-3p identified ITGAV. Membrane ITGAV expression in mesothelioma cell lines was confirmed using immunocytochemistry. ITGAV was significantly upregulated in mesothelioma tissues. Moreover, transfection of miR-142-3p mimics into mesothelioma cell lines significantly suppressed ITGAV expression, indicating that miR-142-3p targets ITGAV. Next, ITGAV siRNA transfection into mesothelioma cell lines inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Further investigation of cell adhesion mechanisms showed that the miR-142-3p/ITGAV axis specifically affects mesothelioma cell adhesion via vitronectin in the extracellular matrix.

CONCLUSION: This study proposed that the miR-142-3p/ITGAV axis is involved in tumor progression in malignant mesothelioma.},
}

@article {pmid36720634,
year = {2023},
author = {Del Monaco, A and Dimitriadis, C and Xie, S and Benke, G and Sim, MR and Walker-Bone, K},
title = {Workers in Australian prebake aluminium smelters: update on risk of mortality and cancer incidence in the Healthwise cohort.},
journal = {Occupational and environmental medicine},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1136/oemed-2022-108605},
pmid = {36720634},
issn = {1470-7926},
abstract = {OBJECTIVES: To investigate mortality and the rates of incident cancer among a cohort of aluminium industry workers.

METHODS: Among 4507 male employees who worked in either of two Australian prebake smelters for at least 3 months, data linkage was undertaken with the Australian National Death Index and Australian Cancer Database. Standardised Mortality Ratios (SMRs) and Standardised Incidence Rates (SIRs) were estimated for the whole cohort and for: production; maintenance and office workers. SMRs and SIRs were calculated by time since first employment.

RESULTS: Among production workers, there was an excess risk of mortality from mesothelioma (SMR 2.8, 95% CI 1.3 to 5.2), lung (SMR 1.4, 95% CI 1.0 to 1.8), prostate (SMR 1.9, 95% CI 1.3 to 2.7) and liver cancer (SMR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.4) and the SIR was also increased for overall respiratory cancers, specifically lung cancers. An excess risk of death from stomach cancer (SMR 2.9, 95% CI 1.2 to 6.1) and Alzheimer's disease (SMR 3.4, 95% CI 1.1 to 7.9) was seen among maintenance workers. The overall risk of death was similar to that of the Australian general population, as was mortality from cancers overall and non-malignant respiratory disease.

CONCLUSIONS: No excess risk of death from bladder cancer or non-malignant respiratory disease was found. Excess lung cancer mortality and incidence may be explained by smoking and excess mortality from mesothelioma may be explained by asbestos exposure. An excess risk of mortality from liver and prostate cancer has been shown in production workers and requires further investigation.},
}

@article {pmid36705549,
year = {2022},
author = {Di Genova, A and Mangiante, L and Sexton-Oates, A and Voegele, C and Fernandez-Cuesta, L and Alcala, N and Foll, M},
title = {A molecular phenotypic map of malignant pleural mesothelioma.},
journal = {GigaScience},
volume = {12},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/gigascience/giac128},
pmid = {36705549},
issn = {2047-217X},
support = {PRT-K 2016-039/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare understudied cancer associated with exposure to asbestos. So far, MPM patients have benefited marginally from the genomics medicine revolution due to the limited size or breadth of existing molecular studies. In the context of the MESOMICS project, we have performed the most comprehensive molecular characterization of MPM to date, with the underlying dataset made of the largest whole-genome sequencing series yet reported, together with transcriptome sequencing and methylation arrays for 120 MPM patients.

RESULTS: We first provide comprehensive quality controls for all samples, of both raw and processed data. Due to the difficulty in collecting specimens from such rare tumors, a part of the cohort does not include matched normal material. We provide a detailed analysis of data processing of these tumor-only samples, showing that all somatic alteration calls match very stringent criteria of precision and recall. Finally, integrating our data with previously published multiomic MPM datasets (n = 374 in total), we provide an extensive molecular phenotype map of MPM based on the multitask theory. The generated map can be interactively explored and interrogated on the UCSC TumorMap portal (https://tumormap.ucsc.edu/?p=RCG_MESOMICS/MPM_Archetypes).

CONCLUSIONS: This new high-quality MPM multiomics dataset, together with the state-of-art bioinformatics and interactive visualization tools we provide, will support the development of precision medicine in MPM that is particularly challenging to implement in rare cancers due to limited molecular studies.},
}

@article {pmid36550787,
year = {2022},
author = {Schelch, K and Eder, S and Zitta, B and Phimmachanh, M and Johnson, TG and Emminger, D and Wenninger-Weinzierl, A and Sturtzel, C and Poplimont, H and Ries, A and Hoetzenecker, K and Hoda, MA and Berger, W and Distel, M and Dome, B and Reid, G and Grusch, M},
title = {YB-1 regulates mesothelioma cell migration via snail but not EGFR, MMP1, EPHA5 or PARK2.},
journal = {Molecular oncology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/1878-0261.13367},
pmid = {36550787},
issn = {1878-0261},
abstract = {Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is characterized by rapid growth, local invasion, and limited therapeutic options. The multifunctional oncoprotein Y-box-binding protein-1 (YB-1) is frequently overexpressed in cancer and its inhibition reduces aggressive behavior in multiple tumor types. Here, we investigated the effects of YB-1 on target gene regulation and PM cell behavior. Whereas siRNA-mediated YB-1 knockdown reduced cell motility, YB-1 overexpression resulted in scattering, increased migration, and intravasation in vitro. Furthermore, YB-1 stimulated PM cell spreading in zebrafish. Combined knockdown and inducible overexpression of YB-1 allowed bidirectional control and rescue of cell migration, the pattern of which was closely followed by the mRNA and protein levels of EGFR and the protein level of snail, whereas the mRNA levels of MMP1, EPHA5, and PARK2 showed partial regulation by YB-1. Finally, we identified snail as a critical regulator of YB-1-mediated cell motility in PM. This study provides insights into the mechanism underlying the aggressive nature of PM and highlights the important role of YB-1 in this cancer. In this context, we found that YB-1 closely regulates EGFR and snail, and, moreover, that YB-1-induced cell migration depends on snail.},
}

@article {pmid36687288,
year = {2023},
author = {Romano, M and Pinto, P and Afonso, R and Fontes, J and Ferreira, M},
title = {Pleural Mesothelioma: A Rapid Evolution of an Indolent Disease.},
journal = {Cureus},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {e33965},
pmid = {36687288},
issn = {2168-8184},
abstract = {Mesothelioma is a rare and insidious neoplasm and is characterized by its highly malignant and aggressive nature. The most common etiology is asbestos exposure, but there are some reports without known asbestos exposure and other factors leading to malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Here, we present the case of a 58-year-old woman with pleuritic chest pain, dyspnea, and fever on presentation to the emergency department (ED), which caused several admissions to the ED in 20 days. The patient was then admitted to the internal medicine department with a diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia with parapneumonic effusion. During hospitalization, a positron emission tomography (PET) scan, thoracic computed tomography (CT), and pleural biopsy were performed and a final diagnosis of malignant epithelioid pleural mesothelioma was made. Six weeks after the onset of symptoms, the patient presented with an exponential disease progression, dying two months after the diagnosis, despite the initiation of chemotherapy. MPM remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge with a very poor prognosis. However, studies show that mesothelioma patients who undergo treatment live at least twice as long as patients who do not receive treatment. This case report is particularly significant because, although it was epithelioid mesothelioma, multiple solid masses were noted on CT and the patient exhibited rapid disease progression, dying a few weeks after starting treatment.},
}

@article {pmid36673690,
year = {2023},
author = {Magnani, C and Mensi, C and Binazzi, A and Marsili, D and Grosso, F and Ramos-Bonilla, JP and Ferrante, D and Migliore, E and Mirabelli, D and Terracini, B and Consonni, D and Degiovanni, D and Lia, M and Cely-García, MF and Giraldo, M and Lysaniuk, B and Comba, P and Marinaccio, A},
title = {The Italian Experience in the Development of Mesothelioma Registries: A Pathway for Other Countries to Address the Negative Legacy of Asbestos.},
journal = {International journal of environmental research and public health},
volume = {20},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ijerph20020936},
pmid = {36673690},
issn = {1660-4601},
abstract = {Asbestos (all forms, including chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite, tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite) is carcinogenic to humans and causally associated with mesothelioma and cancer of the lung, larynx, and ovary. It is one of the carcinogens most diffuse in the world, in workplaces, but also in the environment and is responsible for a very high global cancer burden. A large number of countries, mostly with high-income economies, has banned the use of asbestos which, however, is still widespread in low- and middle-income countries. It remains, thus, one of the most common occupational and environmental carcinogens worldwide. Italy issued an asbestos ban in 1992, following the dramatic observation of a large increase in mortality from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases in exposed workers and also in subjects with non-occupational exposure. A mesothelioma registry was also organized and still monitors the occurrence of mesothelioma cases, conducting a case-by-case evaluation of asbestos exposure. In this report, we describe two Italian communities, Casale Monferrato and Broni, that faced an epidemic of mesothelioma resulting from the production of asbestos cement and the diffuse environmental exposure; we present the activity and results of the Italian mesothelioma registry (ReNaM), describe the risk-communication activities at the local and national level with a focus on international cooperation and also describe the interaction between mesothelioma registration and medical services specialized in mesothelioma diagnosis and treatment in an area at high risk of mesothelioma. Finally, we assess the potential application of the solutions and methods already developed in Italy in a city in Colombia with high mesothelioma incidence associated with the production of asbestos-cement materials and the presence of diffuse environmental asbestos pollution.},
}

@article {pmid36653798,
year = {2023},
author = {Moline, J and Patel, K and Frank, AL},
title = {Exposure to cosmetic talc and mesothelioma.},
journal = {Journal of occupational medicine and toxicology (London, England)},
volume = {18},
number = {1},
pages = {1},
pmid = {36653798},
issn = {1745-6673},
abstract = {AIM: Mesothelioma is associated with asbestos exposure. In this case series, we present 166 cases of individuals who had substantial asbestos exposure to cosmetic talc products as well as some who had potential or documented additional exposures to other asbestos-containing products and who subsequently developed mesothelioma.

METHODS: Data were gathered for all subjects referred to an occupational and environmental medicine specialist as part of medicolegal review. Years of total cosmetic talcum powder usage was noted as well as the latency from the onset of talcum powder use to the mesothelioma diagnosis. Alternate asbestos exposure in addition to the exposure from cosmetic talc was categorized as none, possible, likely, and definite.

RESULTS: In 122 cases, the only known exposure to asbestos was from cosmetic talc. For 44 cases, potential or documented alternate exposures in addition to the cosmetic talc were described.

CONCLUSION: Cumulative exposure to asbestos leads to mesothelioma; for individuals with mixed exposures to asbestos, all exposures should be considered. Use of cosmetic talc is often overlooked as a source of asbestos exposure. All individuals with mesothelioma should have a comprehensive history of asbestos exposure, including cosmetic talc exposure.},
}

@article {pmid36646495,
year = {2022},
author = {Piao, ZH and Zhou, XC and Zhang, X},
title = {[Updates in the pathological diagnosis of Pleural Malignant Mesothelioma in the WHO classification of thoracic tumors (5(th) edition)].},
journal = {Zhonghua lao dong wei sheng zhi ye bing za zhi = Zhonghua laodong weisheng zhiyebing zazhi = Chinese journal of industrial hygiene and occupational diseases},
volume = {40},
number = {12},
pages = {956-960},
doi = {10.3760/cma.j.cn121094-20211105-00546},
pmid = {36646495},
issn = {1001-9391},
abstract = {The WHO Classification of Thoracic Tumors (5(th) edition) mainly has the following changes in the chapter of pleural malignant mesothelioma. (1) The concept of mesothelioma in situ and its diagnostic method have been established for the first time; (2) The tumour grading of pleural malignant mesothelioma was added, it was divided into low grade and high grade according to the cellular atypia, mitotic activity and presence of necrosis. (3) The morphological features of pleural malignant mesothelioma was classified into architectural pattern, cellular and stromal features, the correlation between histological features and prognosis was refined, and some of the controversial cellular types have been reclassified. In this review, we introduced the changes of related pathologic diagnosis, in the WHO Classification of Thoracic Tumors (5(th) edition) and discussed its clinical significance.},
}

@article {pmid36636687,
year = {2022},
author = {Neff, D and Padberg Sgier, BC and Dietze, H and Müller, J and Früh, M},
title = {Unusually Aggressive Presentation of Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Two Case Reports.},
journal = {Case reports in oncology},
volume = {15},
number = {3},
pages = {1001-1008},
pmid = {36636687},
issn = {1662-6575},
abstract = {Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare disease. Patients mainly present with abdominal distension, pain, nausea, and weight loss with or without an exposure history of asbestos. Diagnosis may be difficult from a clinical and histopathologic perspective. Treatment options are surgery in early stages, radiotherapy and/or intraperitoneal or systemic therapy. Prognosis depends on TNM stage and histologic subtype with epithelioid subtype being the most favorable one but in general remains poor. We present a 59-year-old male (patient 1) and a 79-year-old female (patient 2) with progressive dyspnea. PET-CT of patient 1 revealed metastatic spread in the pleura and extensive peritoneal carcinomatosis. PET-CT of patient 2 displayed FDG-avid lymph nodes on both sides of the diaphragm, polyserositis, and FDG uptake along the peritoneum. Both patients were eventually diagnosed with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. Patient 1 was treated with carboplatin and gemcitabine, and patient 2 received no systemic therapy. Even though the epithelioid subtype was found, both patients succumbed due to rapid tumor progression in a matter of a few weeks only. Presentation with polyserositis even in the absence of relevant asbestos exposure may represent malignant peritoneal mesothelioma if ascites is present, and rapid invasive diagnostic (excision biopsy) should be performed. These two unusual cases emphasize that even in epithelioid subtype, clinicians ought to be aware of possible rapid clinical deterioration, and timely diagnosis with initiation of therapy is crucial. Further research is necessary to better understand tumor biology, establish predictive markers, and develop new treatment options.},
}

@article {pmid36636360,
year = {2022},
author = {Dusseault, SK and Okobi, OE and Thakral, N and Sankar, V and Gunawardene, I and Dawkins, B and Abu, Y and Davis, B},
title = {Primary Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Diagnostic Challenges of This Lethal Imposter.},
journal = {Case reports in gastroenterology},
volume = {16},
number = {3},
pages = {588-594},
pmid = {36636360},
issn = {1662-0631},
abstract = {Primary Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a rapidly aggressive and rare neoplasm that arises from the lining of mesothelial cells of the peritoneum and spreads extensively within the confines of the abdominal cavity. The pathogenesis of all forms of mesothelioma is strongly associated with industrial pollutants, of which asbestos is the principal carcinogen. Characteristically, asbestos exposure has a strong relationship with mesothelioma of the pleura, but the peritoneal cavity is the second most commonly affected site. Additionally, in contrast to pleural mesothelioma, which has a male predominance (male-female ratio of between four and five to one), women comprise approximately one-half of all cases of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. A thorough history of occupational/paraoccupational exposure along with histopathology is the key to timely diagnosis and treatment.},
}

@article {pmid36635096,
year = {2023},
author = {Kurth, L and Mazurek, JM and Blackley, DJ},
title = {Malignant mesothelioma among US Medicare beneficiaries: incidence, prevalence and therapy, 2016-2019.},
journal = {Occupational and environmental medicine},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1136/oemed-2022-108706},
pmid = {36635096},
issn = {1470-7926},
abstract = {OBJECTIVES: Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos fibres. Mesothelioma patients who receive trimodal therapy (chemotherapy, surgical resection and radiation) survive longer than those who receive two or fewer therapy modalities. This study analyses the 2016-2019 Medicare claims data to estimate the burden of malignant mesothelioma and describe therapy patterns (when available) among continuously enrolled fee-for-service (FFS; Medicare parts A and B) beneficiaries.

METHODS: We analysed claims and enrolment information from 42 529 117 FFS Medicare beneficiaries using three mesothelioma case definitions (broad, intermediate and narrow) with varying levels of diagnostic requirements. Results are presented as ranges of values for the three definitions.

RESULTS: Among FFS beneficiaries, 8213-19 036 beneficiaries with mesothelioma were identified depending on the case definition. The annual prevalence per 100 000 beneficiaries ranged from 8.8 in 2016 (narrow) to 31.3 in 2019 (broad) and annual incidence per 100 000 beneficiaries ranged from 4.5 in 2019 (narrow) to 12.6 in 2017 (broad). Depending on the mesothelioma case definition, 41.8%-81.5% had available therapy claim information indicating that 7.6%-11.3% received chemotherapy alone, 1.3%-1.5% received radiation alone, and 14.3%-27.0% underwent surgery only, with 4.6%-10.5% receiving all three therapy modalities.

CONCLUSIONS: Mesothelioma was a prevalent disease among FFS Medicare beneficiaries during 2016-2019, and a limited proportion of beneficiaries received all three therapy modalities. Medicare data build on findings from cancer registry data to enhance our understanding of the mesothelioma burden and therapy patterns.},
}