Malignant Mesothelioma after Household Exposure to Asbestos

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive cancer that has been closely linked to asbestos exposure. Initially recognized as an occupational cancer in male workers, MM was later found to occur in their family members as well. We report the case of an 89-year-old female who presented with abdominal distention, pain, and findings consistent with malignant ascites. Family history was significant for fatal mesothelioma in her husband of 40 years, who was a worker at a tile factory. The diagnosis of MM was confirmed on pathologic examination of the omental core biopsy.

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Cytoskeletal Organization Correlates to Motility and Invasiveness of Malignant Mesothelioma Cells

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13040685 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 685

Author(s):

Maureen Keller ◽

Katarina Reis ◽

Anders Hjerpe ◽

Katalin Dobra ◽

Pontus Aspenström

Keyword(s):

Tumor Suppressor ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Actin Filament ◽

Malignant Mesothelioma ◽

Nuclear Localization ◽

Asbestos Exposure ◽

Cytoskeletal Organization ◽

Direct Invasion ◽

Aggressive Cancer ◽

And Function

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a rare but highly aggressive cancer that primarily originates from the pleura, peritoneum or pericardium. There is a well-established link between asbestos exposure and progression of MM. Direct invasion of the surrounding tissues is the main feature of MM, which is dependent on dysregulated communication between the mesothelium and the microenvironment. This communication is dependent on the dynamic organization of the cytoskeleton. We have analyzed the organization and function of key cytoskeletal components in MM cell lines of increasing malignancies measured as migratory and invasive properties, and we show that highly malignant and invasive MM cells have an organization of the actin filament and vimentin systems that is distinct from the less malignant MM cell lines. In addition, the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway was inactivated in the invasive MM cells, which was seen as increased YAP nuclear localization.

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Targeting Calcium Signalling in Malignant Mesothelioma

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers11121839 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 1839

Author(s):

Simona Martinotti ◽

Mauro Patrone ◽

Francesco Moccia ◽

Elia Ranzato

Keyword(s):

Ion Channels ◽

Malignant Mesothelioma ◽

Survival Data ◽

Asbestos Exposure ◽

Calcium Signalling ◽

The Body ◽

Cancer Development ◽

Functional Roles ◽

Aggressive Cancer ◽

Ca2 Channels

Calcium ions (Ca2+) are central in cancer development and growth, serving as a major signaling system determining the cell’s fate. Therefore, the investigation of the functional roles of ion channels in cancer development may identify novel approaches for determining tumor prognosis. Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that develops from the serosal surface of the body, strictly related to asbestos exposure. The treatment of malignant mesothelioma is complex and the survival outcomes, rather than the overall survival data are, to date, disappointedly daunting. Nevertheless, conventional chemotherapy is almost ineffective. The alteration in the expression and/or activity of Ca2+ permeable ion channels seems to be characteristic of mesothelioma cells. In this review, we explore the involvement of the Ca2+toolkit in this disease. Moreover, the established sensitivity of some Ca2+channels to selective pharmacological modulators makes them interesting targets for mesothelioma cancer therapy.

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P24.05 Malignant Mesothelioma Related to Environmental Asbestos Exposure in a Rural Area: 30-year Follow-up

Journal of Thoracic Oncology ◽

10.1016/j.jtho.2021.01.614 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. S379

Author(s):

G. Ak ◽

S. Metintas ◽

E. Dundar ◽

M. Metintas

Keyword(s):

Rural Area ◽

Malignant Mesothelioma ◽

Asbestos Exposure

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Mesothelioma in Agriculture in Lombardy, Italy: An Unrecognized Risk

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18010358 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 358

Author(s):

Carolina Mensi ◽

Barbara Dallari ◽

Marco Polonioli ◽

Luciano Riboldi ◽

Dario Consonni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Studies ◽

Malignant Mesothelioma ◽

Asbestos Exposure ◽

Agricultural Workers ◽

Wine Production ◽

Maintenance And Repair ◽

Lombardy Region ◽

Frequent Exposure ◽

Agricultural Setting ◽

Jute Bags

Cohort studies showed consistently low risks for malignant mesothelioma (MM) among agricultural workers, however the investigated exposures did not include asbestos. Our aim is to describe sources of asbestos exposure of MM in agriculture. Twenty-six MM cases in agricultural or seed trades workers were identified through the MM registry of the Lombardy region, Italy in 2000–2016. Asbestos exposures were investigated through a standardized questionnaire. The most frequent exposure circumstances were recycled jute bags previously containing asbestos (11 cases) and maintenance and repair of asbestos roofs (12 subjects). Three subjects performed maintenance and repair of tractor asbestos brakes and two used asbestos filters for wine production. Our data suggest asbestos exposure opportunities in the agricultural setting, underlining the need to look for this exposure in subjects affected with mesothelioma.

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Identification of Redox-Sensitive Transcription Factors as Markers of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13051138 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 1138

Author(s):

Martina Schiavello ◽

Elena Gazzano ◽

Loredana Bergandi ◽

Francesca Silvagno ◽

Roberta Libener ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Transcription Factors ◽

Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma ◽

Antioxidant Defense ◽

Asbestos Exposure ◽

Predictive Biomarkers ◽

Antioxidant Systems ◽

Pleural Mesothelioma ◽

Related Factor ◽

Aggressive Cancer

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

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Molecular epidemiology in the prevention of occupational cancer, with special reference to asbestos exposure

European Journal of Cancer and Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1016/0277-5379(91)91351-i ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 27 ◽

pp. S49

Keyword(s):

Molecular Epidemiology ◽

Special Reference ◽

Asbestos Exposure ◽

Occupational Cancer

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Scalp Metastasis of Mesothelioma

Journal of İzmir Chest Hospital ◽

10.5222/igh.2021.84856 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

İlkin Yetişkin ◽

Berna Eren Kömürcüoğlu ◽

Eylem Yıldırım

Keyword(s):

Adrenal Gland ◽

Malignant Mesothelioma ◽

Malignant Tumor ◽

Late Stage ◽

Poor Prognosis ◽

Early Stage ◽

Asbestos Exposure ◽

Distant Metastases ◽

Rare Neoplasm ◽

Scalp Metastasis

Mesothelioma is a primary malignant tumor of the mesothelial cells lining the pleura, pericardium and peritoneum, which is frequently seen between the ages of 40-60. Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a rare neoplasm with a poor prognosis, usually associated with asbestos exposure. It is characterized by aggressive local invasion and metastatic spread. Extrathoracic lymphogenous-hematogenous metastases are rare at the time of diagnosis and in the early stage. However, metastases develop in at least half of the cases in the late stage of the disease. After the spread of serous membranes, distant metastases to the bone, adrenal gland, and liver are frequently observed. Skin and scalp metastases are rarely observed. Our case MPM is presented because it is a rare scalp metastasis.

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A CLINICAL STUDY OF MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA

International Journal of Medical and Biomedical Studies ◽

10.32553/ijmbs.v5i5.1902 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (5) ◽

Author(s):

Ankit Agarwal ◽

Abhishek Padhiar ◽

Arun Pandey ◽

Giriraj Prajapati

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Chest Pain ◽

Malignant Mesothelioma ◽

Asbestos Exposure ◽

Symptom Duration ◽

Karnofsky Performance Score ◽

Survival Times ◽

Aggressive Tumor ◽

Histopathological Type ◽

Diagnosis Date

Background: Malignant Mesothelioma (MM) is a rare but rapidly fatal and aggressive tumor of the pleura and peritoneum with limited knowledge of its natural history. Methods: 100 patients with histopathological MM diagnosis were included. The data obtained from patient files were recorded on standard forms, prepared in advance. Age, gender, hometown, residence, asbestos usage history, latent period between asbestos exposure and diagnosis, symptoms, symptom duration, diagnosis date, diagnostic method, localization, histopathological type, routine laboratory results, stage, karnofsky performance score (KPS), treatment regimen, pleurodesis, treatment response, date of death and survival times of patients were all recorded on the forms. Results: The mean age of patients 52.31±12.36 Yrs. 62 patients were male and 38 female. Environmental asbestos exposure was determined in 75.00% of patients At diagnosis, 76.00% patients had dyspnea; 71.00% weight loss; and 64.00% chest pain. A total of 48.00% patients were smokers. Mean survival time was found to be 9.3 months in our study. Conclusion: MM related to asbestos exposure is seen frequently in Southern Rajastan. Patients present with the typical clinical features of dyspnea, weight loss, and chest pain. Keywords: MM, Absestos, Dyspnea.

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