title: Asbestos induces reduction of tumor immunity.
abstract: Asbestos-related cancers such as malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer are an important issue in the world. There are many conflicts concerning economical considerations and medical evidence for these cancers and much confusion regarding details of the pathological mechanisms of asbestos-induced cancers. For example, there is uncertainty concerning the degree of danger of the iron-absent chrysotile compared with iron-containing crocidolite and amosite. However, regarding bad prognosis of mesothelioma, medical approaches to ensure the recognition of the biological effects of asbestos and the pathological mechanisms of asbestos-induced carcinogenesis, as well as clinical trials to detect the early stage of mesothelioma, should result in better preventions and the cure of these malignancies. We have been investigating the immunological effects of asbestos in relation to the reduction of tumor immunity. In this paper, cellular and molecular approaches to clarify the immunological effects of asbestos are described, and all the findings indicate that the reduction of tumor immunity is caused by asbestos exposure and involvement in asbestos-induced cancers. These investigations may not only allow the clear recognition of the biological effects of asbestos, but also present a novel procedure for early detection of previous asbestos exposure and the presence of mesothelioma as well as the chemoprevention of asbestos-related cancers.
authors: Department of Hygiene, Kawasaki Medical School, Matsushima, Kurashiki, Japan.
authors: Naoko
authors: N
authors: Kumagai-Takei
authors: Megumi
authors: M
authors: Maeda
authors: Ying
authors: Y
authors: Chen
authors: Hidenori
authors: H
authors: Matsuzaki
authors: Suni
authors: S
authors: Lee
authors: Yasumitsu
authors: Y
authors: Nishimura
authors: Junichi
authors: J
authors: Hiratsuka
authors: Takemi
authors: T
authors: Otsuki
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D001194:Asbestos / Q000276:immunology* / Q000633:toxicity; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000633:toxicity; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000276:immunology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D002273:Carcinogens; D001194:Asbestos