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Abramson Cancer CenterNCI CANCERLIT® Search: Malignant Mesothelioma - May 2002
National Cancer Institute®
Last Modified: May 1, 2002
Table of Contents
1
UI - 11859209
AU - Kumaki F; Kawai T; Churg A; Galateau-Salle FB; Hasleton P; Henderson D;
TI -
Roggli V; Travis WD; Cagle PT; Ferrans VJ
Expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) in malignant
mesotheliomas.
SO - Am J Surg Pathol 2002 Mar;26(3):365-70
AD - Pathology Section, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National
Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
To evaluate the usefulness of determinations of telomerase activity for
distinguishing malignant from benign mesothelial lesions,
immunohistochemical (using a rabbit polyclonal antibody and the
peroxidase method; n = 68) and in situ hybridization (using sense and
antisense oligonucleotide probes; n = 46) studies were made on malignant
mesotheliomas (epithelioid, 39; sarcomatoid, 18, including 2 of the
desmoplastic type; and biphasic, 11) and 19 benign mesothelial lesions
(benign mesothelial hyperplasia, 3; and reactive pleuritis, 16). In
addition, biochemical studies of telomerase activity were made in 9 of
the malignant mesotheliomas. Telomerase activity was detected
histochemically in all but one of the malignant mesotheliomas, but only
in one (pleuritis) of the benign lesions, in which it was present only
in activated lymphocytes. Antisense hybridization signals indicated the
presence of telomerase mRNA mainly in the cytoplasm of the malignant
cells. Sense probes gave negative results. Biochemical determinations
revealed a strong telomerase activity in the 9 malignant mesotheliomas
examined. This study demonstrates the usefulness of immunohistochemical
staining for the evaluation of mesotheliomas. The required
immunostaining can be performed using paraffin sections of
formalin-fixed tissues.
2
UI - 11963425
AU - Bradshaw L
TI -
Malignant pleural mesothelioma.
SO - Nurs Times 2000 Jun 15;96(24 Suppl):Suppl 3-4
AD - Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield.
3
UI - 11849743
AU - Hirvonen A; Tuimala J; Ollikainen T; Linnainmaa K; Kinnula V
TI -
Manganese superoxide dismutase genotypes and asbestos-associated
pulmonary disorders.
SO - Cancer Lett 2002 Apr 8;178(1):71-4
AD - Department of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology, Finnish Institute of
Occupational Health, FIN-00250 Helsinki, Finland.
ari.hirvonen@occuphealth.fi
Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) activity is highly elevated in
the biopsies of human asbestos-associated malignant mesothelioma. We
therefore examined if polymorphism in the mitochondrial targeting
sequence of the MnSOD gene modified individual susceptibility to this
malignancy or related asbestos-associated pulmonary disorders. The study
population consisted of 124 male Finnish asbestos insulators who were
all classified as having been exposed to high levels of asbestos; 63 of
the workers had no pulmonary disorders and 61 either had malignant
mesothelioma or the non-malignant pulmonary disorders asbestosis and/or
pleural plaques. No significant associations were found between the
MnSOD genotypes and these ill-health. This study therefore suggest no
major modifying role for the MnSOD polymorphism in development of
asbestos-associated pulmonary disorders.
4
UI - 11923556
AU - Baldi A; Groeger AM; Esposito V; Cassandro R; Tonini G; Battista T; Di
TI -
Marino MP; Vincenzi B; Santini M; Angelini A; Rossiello R; Baldi F;
Paggi MG
Expression of p21 in SV40 large T antigen positive human pleural
mesothelioma: relationship with survival.
SO - Thorax 2002 Apr;57(4):353-6
AD - Laboratory C, Department for the Development of Therapeutical Programs,
Center for Experimental Research, Regina Elena Cancer Institute, Rome,
Italy. baldi@ifo.it
BACKGROUND: Mesothelioma is the most commonly occurring primary pleural
neoplasm. Several studies have documented an increase in the incidence
of this malignancy during the last decades. Although the association
between asbestos exposure and development of mesothelioma is generally
accepted, the exact mechanism of carcinogenesis is unknown. Recently,
Simian virus 40 large T antigen (SV40 Tag) expression has been detected
in pleural mesothelioma. The ability of SV40 oncoproteins to inactivate
p53 and retinoblastoma tumour suppressor proteins has been proposed as
an important step in the pathogenesis of human mesothelioma. METHODS: To
obtain a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the
pathogenesis of mesothelioma, the expression of the cell cycle inhibitor
p21(WAF1/CIP1) (p21), a downstream target of p53, was evaluated
immunohistochemically in a group of 29 mesothelioma specimens already
characterised for the presence of SV40 Tag sequences. RESULTS:
Statistical analysis did not reveal any correlation between p21
expression and histopathological type of mesothelioma using the kappa(2)
test (p=0.577). A significant positive relationship was found between
p21 expression level and the patients' overall survival according to the
Kaplan-Meier survival curves and using a log rank test (median
difference in survival 7 months, 95% CI 4.8 to 9.9; p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: Determination of p21 expression bears a prognostic
significance in patients affected with mesothelioma, further underlining
the role of SV40 in the pathogenesis of malignant pleural mesothelioma.
5
UI - 11989592
AU - Maisano R; Caristi N; Toscano G; Aragona M; Spadaro P; Amadio P; Mare M;
TI -
Zavettieri M; La Torre F
Oxaliplatin and raltitrexed in the treatment of inoperable malignant
pleural mesothelioma: results of a pilot study.
SO - Tumori 2001 Nov-Dec;87(6):391-3
AD - IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Messina, Italy.
maisano@supereva.it
AIMS AND BACKGROUND: The treatment of inoperable malignant pleural
mesothelioma is a challenge for the oncologist. Available chemotherapy
regimens achieve poor results, therefore new agents or combinations are
needed. In a phase I study, the combination of oxaliplatin and
raltitrexed was shown to be active against malignant pleural
mesothelioma. We herein report the results of a pilot study about the
enrolled 11 chemotherapy-naive patients with inoperable malignant
pleural mesothelioma suitable to receive the following combination
chemotherapy: raltitrexed, 3 mg/m2 iv, and oxaliplatin, 130 mg/m2, as a
2-hr infusion every 3 weeks. RESULTS: Four partial responses, 1
regression of disease (objective response rate, 45%; 95% CI,
15.6-74.4%), 4 stable diseases and 2 progressions of disease were
observed. An improvement in disease-related symptoms was recorded in all
responders and in 2 patients with stable disease. Toxicity was mild,
with no toxic-related death and only 1 episode of grade 4 neurotoxicity.
CONCLUSIONS: We consider the combination promising and worthy of further
studies.
6
UI - 10950886
AU - Steele JP; Rudd RM
TI -
Malignant mesothelioma: predictors of prognosis and clinical trials.
SO - Thorax 2000 Sep;55(9):725-6
7
UI - 11336053
AU - Muers MF; Girling DJ
TI -
Malignant mesothelioma.
SO - Thorax 2001 May;56(5):417
8
UI - 11954027
AU - Hecht JL; Lee BH; Pinkus JL; Pinkus GS
TI -
The value of Wilms tumor susceptibility gene 1 in cytologic preparations
as a marker for malignant mesothelioma.
SO - Cancer 2002 Apr 25;96(2):105-9
AD - Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston,
Massachusetts 02115, USA.
BACKGROUND: It has been shown that detection of the Wilms tumor
susceptibility gene 1 protein (WT1) has diagnostic utility in the
distinction of mesothelioma from adenocarcinoma in tissue sections of
pleural tumors. This immunohistochemical study evaluates the
effectiveness of WT1 as a marker for malignant mesothelioma in paraffin
sections of cell block preparations derived from effusion specimens.
METHODS: The authors evaluated 111 cell blocks for WT1 immunoreactivity,
including 14 mesotheliomas and 97 metastatic adenocarcinomas from
various sites. RESULTS: Nuclear reactivity for WT1 was observed in all
samples of mesothelioma. However, only 22 of 97 samples (23%) of
metastatic adenocarcinoma, nearly all of which were of ovarian origin
(91%), exhibited nuclear reactivity for WT1. In 14 other samples (most
of pulmonary derivation), WT1 staining restricted to the cytoplasm was
observed for some tumor cells and was regarded as nonspecific.
CONCLUSIONS: Based on this staining profile, WT1 represents an effective
marker for mesotheliomas in cell block preparations and can aid in its
distinction from pulmonary adenocarcinoma. In assessment of effusion
specimens with metastatic carcinoma, nuclear reactivity for WT1 is
highly suggestive of an ovary primary tumor Copyright 2002 American
Cancer Society.
9
UI - 11996173
AU - Nguyen GK
TI -
Cytopathology of pleural mesotheliomas.
SO - Am J Clin Pathol 2000 Nov;114 Suppl():S68-81
AD - Division of Anatomical Pathology, University of Alberta Hospitals,
Edmonton, Canada.
Pleural mesothelioma is a rare and highly malignant tumor that has shown
increasing incidence. In approximately 90% of patients the tumor
manifests initially as recurrent, unilateral, bloody pleural effusions;
in the remaining 10% of patients the tumor is detected by chest
radiography. As a result, pleural mesotheliomas can be diagnosed by
cytologic examination of pleural effusions or transthoracic fine-needle
aspirates; the cytologic manifestations of such an examination are
described in detail. Additionally, the handling of cytologic specimens,
diagnostic problems, and the value and limitations of immunocytochemical
and electron microscopic studies and other ancillary techniques in the
cytologic identification of pleural mesotheliomas are discussed.
10
UI - 12004841
AU - Huncharek M
TI -
Non-asbestos related diffuse malignant mesothelioma.
SO - Tumori 2002 Jan-Feb;88(1):1-9
AD - Department of Clinical Oncology, Marshfield Clinic, WI 54481, USA.
metaresearch@hotmail.com
AIMS: The association between asbestos exposure and the development of
malignant mesothelioma is well known. Nonetheless, a proportion of
patients suffering from this disease do not appear to have documented
exposure to asbestos fibers from any known source. Available information
suggests that a true "background" incidence of this disease exits
raising the possibility that other factors contribute to its etiology.
This paper will review existing data related to non-asbestos related
mesothelioma and suggest avenues for further research. METHODS AND STUDY
DESIGN: A comprehensive electronic MEDLARS search of the literature
pertinent to non-asbestos related malignant mesothelioma was performed
including the years 1996-2001. Hand searches were also carried out to
supplement electronically derived information and literature pre-dating
1996. The resulting references were stratified into the following
categories and reviewed; (1) radiation associated mesothelioma, (2)
familial mesothelioma, (3) dietary factors, (4) childhood mesothelioma
and (5) the role or SV40. RESULT: Available information suggests that
genetic factors may play a larger role in the etiology of this disease
than currently appreciated. The interplay of genes and environment
require further elucidation in the pathogenesis of mesothelioma. The
role of diet is poorly understood with few studies directly addressing
this issue. Whether other environmental or infectious agents are
involved in mesothelioma development remains speculative. CONCLUSION:
The biology of mesothelioma is an enigma. Although this disease appears
to occur in the absence of asbestos exposure, the genetic and biological
differences between asbestos related and non-asbestos related tumors is
unclear. Additional epidemiological and laboratory studies are needed to
provide a better understanding of the relationship between environmental
and non-environmental causes of mesothelioma.
The above citations and abstracts reflect those newly added to CANCERLIT for the month and topic listed in the title. The citations have been retrieved from CANCERLIT using a predefined search strategy of indexed subject terms. Although the search strategy has been refined as best as possible, citations may appear that are not directly related to the topic, and occasionally relevant references may be omitted.
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