A recent study has delivered significant results about the role that asbestos plays in the development of pleural mesothelioma. Researchers have found that patients who’ve been exposed to the toxic mineral have distinct gene expression profiles. Discovering that it’s the asbestos itself that alters gene activity may pave the way for the development of novel biomarkers for diagnosing and predicting the progression of this rare and aggressive cancer.
Collaborative Mesothelioma Study Uses RNA Sequencing
Published in Experimental and Molecular Pathology, the mesothelioma study was led by Professor Antonio Giordano of the Sbarro Health Research Organization and Professor Elisa Frullanti from the University of Siena. Using RNA sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (MESO project), the researchers compared samples from 13 mesothelioma patients with documented asbestos exposure and 12 patients without such exposure.
The analysis revealed 25 genes that were significantly upregulated and 80 that were downregulated in asbestos-exposed individuals with mesothelioma. Professor Giordano noted that three times more genes were downregulated than upregulated, an unexpected result. Importantly, the upregulated genes were largely involved in responses related to oxidative stress and heavy metal exposure; this is in keeping with what had already been known about the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and chronic inflammation following exposure to asbestos.
Study Reveals Asbestos May Harm Cell Integrity, Opening the Door to Mesothelioma
The downregulated genes the researchers found in asbestos-exposed mesothelioma patients’ RNA were more surprising. They were primarily linked to extracellular matrix signaling and cellular communication. This may indicate that the mineral affects cell integrity as well as the interactions between those cells and their surrounding matrix. This may be what leads to the aggressive cancer’s development and metastasis.
Professor Frullanti emphasized that the goal of this research extends beyond gene cataloging: it’s about constructing a detailed molecular roadmap of how asbestos exposure leads to mesothelioma. Their analysis revealed disrupted processes, including ion regulation, hydrogen peroxide breakdown, and cellular detoxification among upregulated genes, while downregulated genes were associated with damage to membrane integrity and extracellular structure.
Looking ahead, the researchers plan to conduct further lab-based studies to characterize these genes, and Professor Giordano predicts an increased role for artificial intelligence in deciphering complex gene patterns and accelerating breakthroughs.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, this promising research offers real hope for better treatments. For information on important resources, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today at 1-800-692-8608.
