title: Retrospective analysis of large-scale research screening of construction workers for the early diagnosis of mesothelioma.
abstract: The early diagnosis of mesothelioma, an aggressive malignant tumor, is considered to be important for prognosis. X-ray is commonly used for the assessment of a mass in a population exhibiting a risk factor. However, there are currently no available studies indicating that such an assessment may be used to achieve early diagnosis and improve the patient's outcome. We previously reported that N-ERC/mesothelin may be a useful blood tumor marker for mesothelioma. In order to investigate whether this tumor marker is useful for early diagnosis in a mass examination, in 2007 we initiated a 5-year large-scale screening of construction workers with a risk of asbestos exposure in Japan. Blood samples were collected annually and N-ERC/mesothelin levels were determined. Based on the results of those findings, along with medical history and related data, we screened the participants to identify a high-risk population. As a result, 62 subjects were identified among ~40,000 participants as the high-risk population. Two of these 62 participants subsequently developed mesothelioma, although the remaining participants have not yet developed mesothelioma. In conclusion, N-ERC/mesothelin may be useful as a blood tumor marker in the early diagnosis of mesothelioma in a mass examination. A future prospective study to confirm the findings of this research screening is currently under planning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Oncology, School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113-8421;
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hirohashi
authors.affiliation: Byotai-seiri Laboratory, Itabashi-Ku, Tokyo 173-0025;
authors.forename: Kiyoko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Igarashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Oncology, School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113-8421;
authors.forename: Masaaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.affiliation: Immuno-Biological Laboratories, Co., Ltd., Fujioka-Shi, Gunma 375-0005, Japan.
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maeda
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Oncology, School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113-8421;
authors.forename: Okio
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hino
keywords: early diagnosis; large-scale research screening; mesothelioma