A collaborative study conducted by the renowned Sbarro Health Research Organization (SHRO) and the University of Siena in Italy has helped scientists better understand how asbestos exposure can lead to malignant pleural mesothelioma, the rare and deadly form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs. The research provides an answer to the long-standing question of how mesothelioma tumors form, and shows that asbestos can trigger changes in gene activity, also known as gene expression, that may eventually damage DNA and lead to cancer.
Researchers Use Existing Data to Analyze Genes in Mesothelioma Tumors
The mesothelioma study was published in the recent edition of Experimental and Molecular Pathology and was led by Professor Antonio Giordano and Professor Elisa Frullanti. Their work was funded by Italy’s National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL). The scientists used publicly available RNA sequencing data to provide them with a snapshot of which genes are turned on or off within a given sample. They then created a bioinformatics pipeline, a process that uses advanced computer tools to analyze data.
The goal of the study was to see whether there are patterns in gene activity that are common to people who have both malignant pleural mesothelioma and a history of asbestos exposure. The researchers successfully identified a set of genes that acted differently in malignant pleural mesothelioma patients than in healthy individuals. The genes they found were notably those involved in processes like maintaining the balance of ions in cells, responding to oxidative stress, and keeping cell structures organized. These changes may explain how asbestos exposure starts the chain reaction that leads to cancer.
Mesothelioma Study Emphasizes the Need for Precision Medicine Approach
One of the lead researchers, Dr. Frullanti, said the study goes beyond listing genes—it builds a “molecular roadmap” showing how asbestos causes mesothelioma. Understanding this roadmap could help doctors predict which patients are most at risk, diagnose the deadly cancer earlier, and even develop more targeted treatments in the future.
Dr. Giordano added that this mesothelioma research supports “precision medicine,” the idea of tailoring healthcare to individual patients based on their genetic and environmental risk factors. Because decades can go by between asbestos exposure and the appearance of mesothelioma symptoms, finding better ways to diagnose and manage the disease is a top priority. This study provides new clues that could lead to earlier detection and better outcomes for patients.
For people who’ve been exposed to asbestos, studies like these provide real hope for improved screening and treatment. For more information or to learn about resources for those who’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net at 1-800-692-8608.
