Molecular biology of malignant mesothelioma: a review.
Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an uncommon tumor with high mortality and morbidity rates. It arises from mesothelial cells that line the pleural, pericardial, peritoneal, and testicular cavities. This is a disease with an indolent course because tumors arise 20 to 40 years after exposure to an inciting agent. Extensive research has shown that mesothelial cells are transformed into MM cells through various chromosomal and cellular pathway defects. These changes alter the normal cells' ability to survive, proliferate, and metastasize. This article discusses the alterations that occur in transforming normal mesothelial cells into MM. It also details some of the signal transduction pathways that seem to be important in MM with the potential for novel targeted therapeutics.
Pisick
Evan
E
Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
Salgia
Ravi
R
D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000473:pathology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D015398:Signal Transduction