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Ledda C, Loreto C, Lombardo C, Cardile V, Rapisarda V. Mesothelin methylation, soluble mesothelin related protein levels and inflammation profiling in workers chronically exposed to naturally occurring asbestos fibers. Transl Oncol 2024; 40:101872. [PMID: 38134842 PMCID: PMC10751818 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2023.101872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to asbestiform fibers, including chrysotile and amphibole, is carcinogenic, causing malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) when inhaled. Some populations globally face Naturally Occurring Asbestos (NOA) exposure, leading to MPM cases like in Biancavilla, Italy, from Fluoro-edenite (FE) contamination. Studies show NOA exposure causes epigenetic changes, focusing on mesothelin methylation, an MPM marker, and altered inflammation, emphasizing the health risks of FE and asbestos. This research, conducted from February 2022 to October 2022, studied 125 construction workers from Biancavilla and 125 controls from 40 km away without Biancavilla work history. With at least ten years in construction and no respiratory conditions, participants underwent medical assessments and gave blood samples for analysis, including inflammation markers, mesothelin methylation, and soluble mesothelin-related protein levels. The results showed similar demographics but differing inflammation and methylation levels in exposed workers, suggesting long-term cellular changes. Pearson correlation showed intricate biomarker relationships. Significant inflammatory differences were found between FE exposed and non-exposed workers, indicating potential health impacts from FE. This raises concerns for communities like Biancavilla, emphasizing the importance of extensive epigenetic research for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Ledda
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
| | - Carla Loreto
- Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Claudia Lombardo
- Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Venera Cardile
- Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Venerando Rapisarda
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Filetti V, Loreto C, Falzone L, Lombardo C, Cannizzaro E, Castorina S, Ledda C, Rapisarda V. Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of Three microRNAs in Environmental Asbestiform Fibers-Associated Malignant Mesothelioma. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11111205. [PMID: 34834557 PMCID: PMC8618926 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11111205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluoro-edenite (FE) is an asbestiform fiber identified in Biancavilla (Sicily, Italy). Environmental exposure to FE has been associated with a higher incidence of malignant mesothelioma (MM). The present study aimed to validate the predicted diagnostic significance of hsa-miR-323a-3p, hsa-miR-101-3p, and hsa-miR-20b-5p on a subset of MM patients exposed to FE and matched with healthy controls. For this purpose, MM tissues vs. nonmalignant pleura tissues were analyzed through droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) to evaluate differences in the expression levels of the selected miRNAs and their MM diagnostic potential. In addition, further computational analysis has been performed to establish the correlation of these miRNAs with the available online asbestos exposure data and clinic-pathological parameters to verify the potential role of these miRNAs as prognostic tools. ddPCR results showed that the three analyzed miRNAs were significantly down-regulated in MM cases vs. controls. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed high specificity and sensitivity rates for both hsa-miR-323a-3p and hsa-miR-20b-5p, which thus acquire a diagnostic value for MM. In silico results showed a potential prognostic role of hsa-miR-101-3p due to a significant association of its higher expression and increased overall survival (OS) of MM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Filetti
- Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnology Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (V.F.); (C.L.)
| | - Carla Loreto
- Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnology Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (V.F.); (C.L.)
| | - Luca Falzone
- Epidemiology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori “Fondazione G. Pascale”, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Claudia Lombardo
- Human Anatomy, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.L.); (S.C.)
| | - Emanuele Cannizzaro
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Sergio Castorina
- Human Anatomy, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.L.); (S.C.)
| | - Caterina Ledda
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Venerando Rapisarda
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy;
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Di Nunno N, Esposito M, Argo A, Salerno M, Sessa F. Pharmacogenetics and Forensic Toxicology: A New Step towards a Multidisciplinary Approach. TOXICS 2021; 9:292. [PMID: 34822683 PMCID: PMC8620299 DOI: 10.3390/toxics9110292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Pharmacogenetics analyzes the individual behavior of DNA genes after the administration of a drug. Pharmacogenetic research has been implemented in recent years thanks to the improvement in genome sequencing techniques and molecular genetics. In addition to medical purposes, pharmacogenetics can constitute an important tool for clarifying the interpretation of toxicological data in post-mortem examinations, sometimes crucial for determining the cause and modality of death. The purpose of this systematic literature review is not only to raise awareness among the forensic community concerning pharmacogenetics, but also to provide a workflow for forensic toxicologists to follow in cases of unknown causes of death related to drug use/abuse. The scientific community is called on to work hard in order to supply evidence in forensic practice, demonstrating that this investigation could become an essential tool both in civil and forensic contexts. The following keywords were used for the search engine: (pharmacogenetics) AND (forensic toxicology); (pharmacogenetics) AND (post-mortem); (pharmacogenetics) AND (forensic science); and (pharmacogenetics) AND (autopsy). A total of 125 articles were collected. Of these, 29 articles were included in this systematic review. A total of 75% of the included studies were original articles (n = 21) and 25% were case reports (n = 7). A total of 78% (n = 22) of the studies involved deceased people for whom a complete autopsy was performed, while 22% (n = 6) involved people in good health who were given a drug with a subsequent pharmacogenetic study. The most studied drugs were opioids (codeine, morphine, and methadone), followed by antidepressants (tricyclic antidepressants and venlafaxine). Furthermore, all studies highlighted the importance of a pharmacogenetics study in drug-related deaths, especially in cases of non-overdose of drugs of abuse. This study highlights the importance of forensic pharmacogenetics, a field of toxicology still not fully understood, which is of great help in cases of sudden death, deaths from overdose, deaths after the administration of a drug, and also in cases of complaint of medical malpractice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunzio Di Nunno
- Department of History, Society and Studies on Humanity, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Esposito
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, 95121 Catania, Italy
| | - Antonina Argo
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Section of Legal Medicine, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro, 129, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Monica Salerno
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, 95121 Catania, Italy
| | - Francesco Sessa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
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Ledda C, Lombardo C, Tendi EA, Hagnas M, Paravizzini G, Filetti V, Rapisarda V. Pathway of Inflammation due to Asbestiform Fiber “Fluoro-edenite” Exposure: An Update. CURRENT RESPIRATORY MEDICINE REVIEWS 2021. [DOI: 10.2174/1573398x16999200819151645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
:
FluorFluoro-edenite (FE) is an asbestos-like amphibole present in the bentonitic lavas extracted
from a stone quarry in Biancavilla, a village sited in the Etnean Volcanic Area (Italy).o-edenite (FE) is an asbestos-like amphibole present in the bentonitic lavas extracted from a stone quarry in Biancavilla, a village sited in the Etnean Volcanic Area (Italy).
:
Thoracic pathologies are the results of excessive inflammatory processes that are the early response
of the immune system to inhaled fibers. As demonstrated for asbestos, fibers may trigger immune
system cells in an acute and/or chronic manner. This review aims to clarify the pathways of
inflammation in workers exposed to FE fibers.
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Based on the articles reviewed, it seems that a permanent stimulus created by repeatedly inhaling
the FE fibers and their persistence in the body can act as a trigger both in promoting inflammatory
processes and in the immunological induction of autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Ledda
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Claudia Lombardo
- Anatomy and Histology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Maria Hagnas
- Center for Life Course Health Research, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | | | - Vera Filetti
- Anatomy and Histology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Venerando Rapisarda
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Filetti V, Vitale E, Broggi G, Hagnäs MP, Candido S, Spina A, Lombardo C. Update of in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo fluoro-edenite effects on malignant mesothelioma: A systematic review (Review). Biomed Rep 2020; 13:60. [PMID: 33149905 PMCID: PMC7605121 DOI: 10.3892/br.2020.1367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluoro-edenite (FE), asbestiform fiber found in Biancavilla (Sicily, Italy), presents various characteristics similar to the asbestos group, in particular two fibrous phases tremolite and actinolite. Indeed, epidemiological studies have shown that FE fibers have similar effects to those of asbestos fibers. Such studies have reported a high incidence of malignant mesothelioma (MM), an aggressive neoplasm of the serosal membranes lining the pleural cavity, in individuals residing there due to FE exposure in Biancavilla related to environmental contamination. Evidence has led to the classification of FE as a Group 1 human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The aim of this systematic review is to compare the results achieved in in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo experimental studies involving FE in order to update the current knowledge on the pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms responsible for FE-mediated MM development as well as the availability of effective biomarkers for MM prevention and diagnosis. This review is focused on the pathophysiological mechanisms mediated by inflammation induced by FE fiber exposure and which are responsible for MM development. This review also discusses the discovery of new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for the management of this pathology. It is known that the risk of cancer development increases with chronic inflammation, arising from enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and NO• production stimulated by the body to remove exogenous agents, causing DNA damage and enhanced signal transduction that may lead to activation of oncogenes. Studies concerning MM biomarker discovery indicate that several biomarkers have been proposed for MM, but mesothelin is the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved biomarker for MM, with limitations. In recent studies, in silico analysis to identify selected miRNAs highly deregulated in cancer samples when compared with normal control have been developed. This in silico approach could represent an effort in the field of biomarker discovery for MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Filetti
- Anatomy and Histology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Ermanno Vitale
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Broggi
- Pathologic Anatomy, Department 'G.F. Ingrassia', University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Maria P Hagnäs
- Rovaniemi Health Centre, 96200 Rovaniemi, Finland.,Center for Life Course Health Research, University of Oulu, 90150 Oulu, Finland
| | - Saverio Candido
- Oncologic, Clinic and General Pathology Section, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy.,Research Center for Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer (PreDiCT), University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Anna Spina
- INPS Italian National Social Security Institution, I-95129 Catania, Italy
| | - Claudia Lombardo
- Pathologic Anatomy, Department 'G.F. Ingrassia', University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy
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Filetti V, Falzone L, Rapisarda V, Caltabiano R, Eleonora Graziano AC, Ledda C, Loreto C. Modulation of microRNA expression levels after naturally occurring asbestiform fibers exposure as a diagnostic biomarker of mesothelial neoplastic transformation. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 198:110640. [PMID: 32330788 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Fluoro-edenite (FE) is a silicate mineral identified in the lava products of Monte Calvario from stone quarries located in the southeast of Biancavilla, a small city of the Etnean volcanic complex (Sicily, Italy). Inhalation of FE fibers has been associated with a higher incidence of Malignant Mesothelioma (MM), a highly aggressive neoplasm of the serosal membranes lining the pleural cavity. Only 5% of MM patients are diagnosed at an early stage and the median survival is approximate 6-12 months. Many diagnostic biomarkers have been proposed for MM. Several studies demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) may be used as good non-invasive diagnostics, as well as prognostic biomarkers for various human diseases, including cancer. On these bases, the aim of the present study was to identify a set of miRNAs involved in the development and progression of MM and potentially used as diagnostic biomarkers. For these purposes, in silico analyses were performed on healthy/exposed to asbestos fibers subjects vs. patients with MM. These analyses revealed a set of miRNAs strictly involved in MM by merging the lists of miRNAs found differentially expressed in the three miRNA expression datasets analyzed. The result of these computational evaluations allowed the execution of functional in vitro experiments performed on normal pleural mesothelial cell line (MeT-5A) and MM cell line (JU77) in order to test the carcinogenetic effects and epigenetic modulation induced by FE exposure. The in vitro results showed that the expression levels of hsa-miR-323a-3p vary significantly in both supernatant- and cell-derived miRNAs derived from treated and untreated cells. Secreted and cellular hsa-miR-101-3p in MeT-5A treated with FE fibers and JU77 cells showed different trends of expression. As regard hsa-miR-20b-5p, there was no differential expression between secreted and cellular hsa-miR-20b-5p. This miRNA has been shown a significant up-regulation in JU77 cells vs. control and treated MeT-5A. As a future plan, translational analyses will be performed on a subset of patients chronically exposed to FE fibers to further verify the clinical role of such miRNAs in high-risk individuals and their possible use as biomarkers of FE exposure or MM early onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Filetti
- Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnology Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Luca Falzone
- Epidemiology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale", 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Venerando Rapisarda
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosario Caltabiano
- Section of Anatomic Pathology, Department Gian Filippo Ingrassia, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Caterina Ledda
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Carla Loreto
- Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnology Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy; Research Center for Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer (PreDiCT), University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
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Loreto C, Caltabiano R, Graziano ACE, Castorina S, Lombardo C, Filetti V, Vitale E, Rapisarda G, Cardile V, Ledda C, Rapisarda V. Defense and protection mechanisms in lung exposed to asbestiform fiber: the role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor and heme oxygenase-1. Eur J Histochem 2020; 64. [PMID: 32312030 PMCID: PMC7171426 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2020.3073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluoro-edenite (FE), an asbestiform fiber, is responsible for many respiratory pathologies: chronic obstructive diseases, pleural plaques, fibrosis, and malignant mesothelioma. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is one of the first cytokines produced in response to lung tissue damage. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a protein with protective effects against oxidative stress. It is up regulated by several stimuli including pro-inflammatory cytokines and factors that promote oxidative stress. In this research, the in vivo model of sheep lungs naturally exposed to FE was studied in order to shed light on the pathophysiological events sustaining exposure to fibers, by determining immunohistochemical lung expression of MIF and HO-1. Protein levels expression of HO-1 and MIF were also evaluated in human primary lung fibroblasts after exposure to FE fibers in vitro. In exposed sheep lungs, MIF and HO-1 immunoexpression were spread involving the intraparenchymal stroma around bronchioles, interstitium between alveoli, alveolar epithelium and macrophages. High MIF immunoexpression prevails in macrophages. Similar results were obtained in vitro, but significantly higher values were only detected for HO-1 at concentrations of 50 and 100 μg/mL of FE fibers. MIF and HO-1 expressions seem to play a role in lung self-protection against uncontrolled chronic inflammation, thus counteracting the strong link with cancer development, induced by exposure to FE. Further studies will be conducted in order to add more information about the role of MIF and HO-1 in the toxicity FE-induced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Loreto
- Anatomy and Histology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnologies Sciences, University of Catania.
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Ledda C, Caltabiano R, Vella F, Matera S, Marconi A, Loreto C, Rapisarda V. Fibulin-3 as biomarker of malignant mesothelioma. Biomark Med 2019; 13:875-886. [DOI: 10.2217/bmm-2018-0285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Many malignant diseases are associated with past asbestos exposure; the most lethal and strictly related to previous fiber exposure being malignant mesothelioma (MM). Effective preventive protocols may include sensitive and specific biomarkers. The role of Fb-3 has been recently investigated for MM early detection, but its role is still under debate. After an independent search for scientific literature, nine studies were included for a systematic review. Human Fb-3 levels seem to be able to separate healthy people with previous exposure to asbestiform fibers from MM patients. Fb-3 blood levels can distinguish MM effusions from other malignant and benign effusions. Furthers investigations on more significant groups of patients are desirable to validate and assess the validity of combining Fb-3 with other biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Ledda
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Rosario Caltabiano
- Anatomic Pathology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, G.F. Ingrassia, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Francesca Vella
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Serena Matera
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Andrea Marconi
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Carla Loreto
- Anatomy and Histology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Venerando Rapisarda
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
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Biomarkers for Early Diagnosis and Prognosis of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: The Quest Goes on. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10060203. [PMID: 29914087 PMCID: PMC6025035 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10060203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2018] [Revised: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MM) is a highly aggressive tumor characterized by a poor prognosis. Although its carcinogenesis mechanism has not been strictly understood, about 80% of MM can be attributed to occupational and/or environmental exposure to asbestos fibers. The identification of non-invasive molecular markers for an early diagnosis of MM has been the subject of several studies aimed at diagnosing the disease at an early stage. The most studied biomarker is mesothelin, characterized by a good specificity, but it has low sensitivity, especially for non-epithelioid MM. Other protein markers are Fibulin-3 and osteopontin which have not, however, showed a superior diagnostic performance. Recently, interesting results have been reported for the HMGB1 protein in a small but limited series. An increase in channel proteins involved in water transport, aquaporins, have been identified as positive prognostic factors in MM, high levels of expression of aquaporins in tumor cells predict an increase in survival. MicroRNAs and protein panels are among the new indicators of interest. None of the markers available today are sufficiently reliable to be used in the surveillance of subjects exposed to asbestos or in the early detection of MM. Our aim is to give a detailed account of biomarkers available for MM.
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Angelico G, Caltabiano R, Loreto C, Ieni A, Tuccari G, Ledda C, Rapisarda V. Immunohistochemical Expression of Aquaporin-1 in Fluoro-Edenite-Induced Malignant Mesothelioma: A Preliminary Report. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E685. [PMID: 29495596 PMCID: PMC5877546 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19030685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Revised: 02/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The immunohistochemical expression of aquaporin-1 (AQP1) in asbestos-related malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is emerging as a useful prognostic indicator of improved survival. A significantly increased incidence of MPM in a small town in southern Italy was ascribed to exposure to fluoro-edenite (FE), a naturally occurring asbestos fiber. We investigated the immunohistochemical expression of AQP1 in patients affected by FE-related MPM; taking into consideration its suggested independent prognostic role, its possible correlation with clinicopathological parameters and patient outcome was also evaluated. METHODS Ten patients were selected for this study, as neoplastic tissue blocks, clinical and follow-up data were available. The immunohistochemical overexpression of AQP1 was defined as ≥50% of tumor cells showing membranous staining. RESULTS Six cases showed AQP1 expression in ≥50% of tumor cells; in this group, a significant association of AQP1 overexpression with an increased median overall survival (OS) of 26.3 months was observed. By contrast, four patients exhibited an AQP1 score of <50% of stained cells, with a shorter median OS of 8.9 months. CONCLUSIONS The present study represents further confirmation of the hypothesized prognostic role of AQP1, which seems a reliable prognostic indicator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Angelico
- Anatomic Pathology, Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy.
| | - Rosario Caltabiano
- Anatomic Pathology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, G.F. Ingrassia, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy.
| | - Carla Loreto
- Anatomy and Histology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy.
| | - Antonio Ieni
- Anatomic Pathology, Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Tuccari
- Anatomic Pathology, Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy.
| | - Caterina Ledda
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy.
| | - Venerando Rapisarda
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy.
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