The role of growth factors and cytokines in the tumorigenesis and immunobiology of malignant mesothelioma.
Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an asbestos-associated cancer that is increasing in incidence worldwide and is refractory to conventional therapy. MM cells are potent sources of a number of cytokines, some of which have recently been shown to be directly involved in the aggressive growth and spread of MM tumors. Emerging data also suggest involvement of MM-derived cytokines in systemic paraneoplastic syndromes including immunosuppression, thrombocytosis, cachexia, amyloidosis, and hypoglycemia. Additional characterization of the expression of cytokines and cytokine receptors in situ in MM tumors may provide a more complete picture of the autocrine and paracrine processes which occur in MM. Improved therapy of MM, particularly cytokine-based approaches, is likely to benefit from further elucidation of the patterns and regulation of cytokine expression associated with MM tumors.
Fitzpatrick
D R
DR
Transplantation Biology Unit, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Herston, Australia.
Peroni
D J
DJ
Bielefeldt-Ohmann
H
H
D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology*; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000502:physiology; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000502:physiology; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine / Q000502:physiology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology
D016207:Cytokines; D006133:Growth Substances; D015850:Interleukin-6; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta