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Mesothelioma: Scientific clues for prevention, diagnosis, and therapy.

Literature Information

DOI10.3322/caac.21572
PMID31283845
JournalCA: a cancer journal for clinicians
Impact Factor232.4
JCR QuartileQ1
Publication Year2019
Times Cited250
KeywordsBRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1), asbestos, cancer syndromes, chromothripsis, gene-environment interaction
Literature TypeJournal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Review
ISSN0007-9235
Pages402-429
Issue69(5)
AuthorsMichele Carbone, Prasad S Adusumilli, H Richard Alexander, Paul Baas, Fabrizio Bardelli, Angela Bononi, Raphael Bueno, Emanuela Felley-Bosco, Francoise Galateau-Salle, David Jablons, Aaron S Mansfield, Michael Minaai, Marc de Perrot, Patricia Pesavento, Valerie Rusch, David T Severson, Emanuela Taioli, Anne Tsao, Gavitt Woodard, Haining Yang, Marjorie G Zauderer, Harvey I Pass

TL;DR

This research highlights the ongoing challenges of mesothelioma, particularly in developing countries where asbestos exposure remains prevalent, leading to inaccurate diagnoses and treatment complications. While incidence rates have declined in regions with strict asbestos regulations, mortality rates persist due to an aging population and environmental factors, underscoring the need for improved diagnostic methods, targeted treatments, and international collaboration for better prevention and management strategies.

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BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) · asbestos · cancer syndromes · chromothripsis · gene-environment interaction

Abstract

Mesothelioma affects mostly older individuals who have been occupationally exposed to asbestos. The global mesothelioma incidence and mortality rates are unknown, because data are not available from developing countries that continue to use large amounts of asbestos. The incidence rate of mesothelioma has decreased in Australia, the United States, and Western Europe, where the use of asbestos was banned or strictly regulated in the 1970s and 1980s, demonstrating the value of these preventive measures. However, in these same countries, the overall number of deaths from mesothelioma has not decreased as the size of the population and the percentage of old people have increased. Moreover, hotspots of mesothelioma may occur when carcinogenic fibers that are present in the environment are disturbed as rural areas are being developed. Novel immunohistochemical and molecular markers have improved the accuracy of diagnosis; however, about 14% (high-resource countries) to 50% (developing countries) of mesothelioma diagnoses are incorrect, resulting in inadequate treatment and complicating epidemiological studies. The discovery that germline BRCA1-asssociated protein 1 (BAP1) mutations cause mesothelioma and other cancers (BAP1 cancer syndrome) elucidated some of the key pathogenic mechanisms, and treatments targeting these molecular mechanisms and/or modulating the immune response are being tested. The role of surgery in pleural mesothelioma is controversial as it is difficult to predict who will benefit from aggressive management, even when local therapies are added to existing or novel systemic treatments. Treatment outcomes are improving, however, for peritoneal mesothelioma. Multidisciplinary international collaboration will be necessary to improve prevention, early detection, and treatment.

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Primary Questions Addressed

  1. What are the specific challenges in diagnosing mesothelioma accurately in developing countries?
  2. How do the epidemiological trends of mesothelioma differ between developed and developing nations?
  3. What advancements in immunotherapy are currently being explored for the treatment of mesothelioma?
  4. How can public health policies be shaped to better prevent mesothelioma in regions where asbestos use is still prevalent?
  5. In what ways can genetic testing for BAP1 mutations influence treatment decisions for mesothelioma patients?

Key Findings

Research Background and Purpose

Malignant mesothelioma, primarily associated with asbestos exposure, is a rare but aggressive cancer affecting the pleura and peritoneum. Despite regulatory efforts leading to decreased incidence in some regions, the overall mortality remains high, particularly due to aging populations and environmental exposures. This comprehensive review aims to summarize current knowledge on mesothelioma's epidemiology, genetic factors, diagnostic challenges, and treatment strategies.

Main Methods/Materials/Experimental Design

The authors conducted a thorough literature review and synthesis of existing data on mesothelioma, focusing on the following aspects:

  1. Epidemiology: Analysis of incidence and mortality rates globally, emphasizing the impact of asbestos regulations.
  2. Genetic Studies: Examination of germline mutations, particularly in the BAP1 gene, and their implications for cancer susceptibility.
  3. Diagnostic Approaches: Evaluation of histopathological techniques and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for accurate diagnosis.
  4. Treatment Modalities: Assessment of surgical interventions, chemotherapy regimens, and emerging immunotherapies.

The research methodology is illustrated in the following flowchart:

Mermaid diagram

Key Results and Findings

  • Epidemiology: The incidence of mesothelioma is declining in developed countries due to asbestos regulations, yet the total number of cases remains stable due to an aging population. Environmental exposures are increasingly recognized as significant risk factors.
  • Genetics: Approximately 12% of mesothelioma cases are linked to inherited mutations in the BAP1 gene, which also predispose individuals to other cancers. These mutations are more common in younger patients with a balanced gender ratio.
  • Diagnosis: Accurate diagnosis remains challenging, with misdiagnosis rates ranging from 14% in high-resource settings to 50% in developing countries. IHC techniques, particularly for BAP1, enhance diagnostic accuracy.
  • Treatment: Current treatments include surgery (pleurectomy/decortication or extrapleural pneumonectomy), chemotherapy (cisplatin and pemetrexed), and emerging immunotherapies. The role of surgery remains controversial, particularly regarding the benefits of aggressive approaches.

Main Conclusions/Significance/Innovation

The review underscores the complex interplay of genetic predisposition, environmental exposure, and diagnostic challenges in mesothelioma. Key innovations include:

  • The identification of BAP1 as a critical biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis.
  • The potential for personalized treatment strategies based on genetic testing.
  • Ongoing research into immunotherapy as a promising avenue for treatment.

Research Limitations and Future Directions

  • Limitations: The review acknowledges the variability in data quality across studies and the need for standardized diagnostic criteria. The reliance on historical data may not fully capture current trends.
  • Future Directions: There is a call for enhanced genetic screening and early detection strategies, particularly in populations at risk due to familial predispositions. Additionally, further studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of new therapeutic approaches, including immunotherapy and targeted therapies based on genetic profiles.

This comprehensive overview of mesothelioma highlights the need for continued research and collaboration to improve outcomes for affected individuals.

References

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Literatures Citing This Work

  1. From "shift work that involves circadian disruption" to "night shift work". - Masaya Takahashi;Shigeki Koda - Industrial health (2019)
  2. Metabolic rewiring and redox alterations in malignant pleural mesothelioma. - Loredana Urso;Ilaria Cavallari;Evgeniya Sharova;Francesco Ciccarese;Giulia Pasello;Vincenzo Ciminale - British journal of cancer (2020)
  3. Mesothelioma Driver Genes, Ferroptosis, and Therapy. - Emanuela Felley-Bosco;Steven G Gray - Frontiers in oncology (2019)
  4. The phytohormone forchlorfenuron decreases viability and proliferation of malignant mesothelioma cells in vitro and in vivo. - Walter Blum;Thomas Henzi;László Pecze;Kim-Long Diep;Christian G Bochet;Beat Schwaller - Oncotarget (2019)
  5. Comments on Vimercati et al., 2019, "Asbestos exposure and malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis: a systematic review and the experience of the Apulia (southern Italy) mesothelioma register". - Gabor Mezei;Ellen T Chang;Fionna S Mowat;Suresh H Moolgavkar - Environmental health : a global access science source (2019)
  6. Response to the "Letter to the Editor" by Gabor Mezei et al., Comments on Vimercati et al., 2019, "Asbestos exposure and malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis: a systematic review and the experience of the Apulia (Southern Italy) mesothelioma register". - Luigi Vimercati;Domenica Cavone;Maria Celeste Delfino;Luigi De Maria;Antonio Caputi;Giovanni Maria Ferri;Gabriella Serio - Environmental health : a global access science source (2019)
  7. Novel Germline Mutations in DNA Damage Repair in Patients with Malignant Pleural Mesotheliomas. - Robin Guo;Mariel DuBoff;Gowtham Jayakumaran;Mark G Kris;Marc Ladanyi;Mark E Robson;Diana Mandelker;Marjorie G Zauderer - Journal of thoracic oncology : official publication of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (2020)
  8. Diffuse epithelioid malignant mesothelioma of the pleura presenting as a hydropneumothorax and vertebral body invasion. - Colin Andrew Hinkamp;Shanup N Dalal;Yasmeen Butt;Alberto V Cabo Chan - BMJ case reports (2020)
  9. Sensitivity of Mesothelioma Cells to PARP Inhibitors Is Not Dependent on BAP1 but Is Enhanced by Temozolomide in Cells With High-Schlafen 11 and Low-O6-methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase Expression. - Daniel Rathkey;Manakamana Khanal;Junko Murai;Jingli Zhang;Manjistha Sengupta;Qun Jiang;Betsy Morrow;Christine N Evans;Raj Chari;Patricia Fetsch;Hye-Jung Chung;Liqiang Xi;Mark Roth;Armando Filie;Mark Raffeld;Anish Thomas;Yves Pommier;Raffit Hassan - Journal of thoracic oncology : official publication of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (2020)
  10. Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: State-of-the-Art on Current Therapies and Promises for the Future. - Fabio Nicolini;Martine Bocchini;Giuseppe Bronte;Angelo Delmonte;Massimo Guidoboni;Lucio Crinò;Massimiliano Mazza - Frontiers in oncology (2019)

... (240 more literatures)


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