The rare asbestos-related cancer malignant mesothelioma is always considered fatal, a fact that is partially attributed to its characteristic late diagnosis. Recently, researchers from the German University in Cairo conducted a study of long noncoding RNAs to determine whether their presence could be used to confirm the presence of mesothelioma. Their results promise an effective and accurate diagnostic tool for future use.
Can Long Noncoding RNAs Be an Effective Biomarker for Mesothelioma?
Finding an accurate method of diagnosing malignant mesothelioma as early as possible has long been a goal for oncologists and researchers. Recently, scientists have begun investigating non-coding RNA, particularly the presence of long non-coding RNAs, as an indication of cancer’s presence: This gave rise to the biomarker inquiry conducted by the Egyptian researchers. Looking at pre-existing studies that linked malignant pleural mesothelioma and long noncoding RNAs, they identified ten candidates known to be associated with each other and conducted further tests.
Between September 2021 and June 2023, the scientists identified 18 newly diagnosed mesothelioma patients who had not yet received any type of treatment and recruited them for their study. They compared their blood samples to those of 15 healthy volunteers to see whether any of the ten long noncoding RNAs were present. They found that three of them — GAS5, SNHG8, and MALAT 1 — were consistently upregulated in patients compared to controls. They also noted that age, sex, and smoking status showed no influence on the biomarkers’ presence in the patients’ plasma samples.
Study Results Consistent with Previous Research Into Mesothelioma Samples
While the study showed that long noncoding RNAs GAS5 and SNHG8 performed better when biomarker expression values were added than MALAT1, the researchers believe that MALAT1 may still prove useful. They noted that the results they found on GAS5 were supported by those of a previous mesothelioma study of its use as a prognostic marker.
Writing of their findings, the study’s authors said, “While each marker has shown potential independently, the results still need to be validated in a larger sample size.” They also note that “The diagnostic performance of these lncRNAs could also be improved by combining them with other biomolecules.”
If you or someone you love has been exposed to asbestos, early diagnosis is essential to optimizing treatment. Studies like these show great promise for the future. For more information on the resources available to you, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net at 1-800-692-8608 today.
