title: Biological agents involved in malignant mesothelioma: relevance as biomarkers or therapeutic targets.
abstract: Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a rare, highly aggressive tumor that arises from the surface serosal cells (pleural, peritoneal and pericardial cavities). Epidemiological and clinical data show that there is an association between asbestos exposure and MM development, even if the exact mechanism whereby asbestos induces MM is unknown. The continuing identification and elucidation of the molecular defects involved in mesothelioma pathogenesis and progression should lead to better disease control and greater therapeutic options in the near future. Goal of this article is to summarize the most recent advances in molecular pathogenesis of mesothelioma with particular emphasis on genes that could be considered as biomarkers or therapeutic targets and discuss possible clinical implications of these findings.
authors.affiliation: Gene Expression Core--Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Institute of Genetics and Biophysics, CNR Naples Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Crispi
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cardillo
authors.forename: Enrico P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Spugnini
authors.forename: Gennaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Citro
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Menegozzo
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baldi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001194:Asbestos / Q000633:toxicity; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000633:toxicity; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D009154:Mutation; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002273:Carcinogens; D001194:Asbestos