Friday, March 18th, 2005.

Vaccine 23, no. 17-18 (2005): 2399-2402. [Link]

Bharat Jasani¹, Sharon Coleman², Eric Butchart³, Eve M-L Evans⁴, Malcolm Adams⁴, Malcolm Mason², Allen Gibbs¹ and Zsuzsanna Tabi²

1. Department of Pathology, Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust and School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK
2. Department of Oncology and Palliative Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Whitchurch, Cardiff, UK
3. Department of Surgery, University Hospital Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK
4. Velindre NHS Trust, Velindre Hospital, Whitchurch, Cardiff, UK

Abstract

Diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is the third most common lung malignancy showing rising incidence with 250,000 deaths expected from it in Western Europe over the next 35 year. The tumour is generally resistant to conventional treatment and there is urgent need for novel preventative and therapeutic measures to combat this growing public threat. Finding of SV40 DNA sequences in a high proportion (40–90%) of several series of MPM cases, and suggestion of its potential co-carcinogen role provide a rationale for the development of novel anti-MPM vaccines incorporating SV40 gene sequences or antigenic determinants. As a prelude to adopting this approach, general T cell function was examined in relatively early cases of MPM presenting for biopsy or debulking surgery. CD8+ T cell responses were studied using antigenic epitopes of common viral antigens covering a broad range of haplotypes. 74.1% (20/27) of MPM patients and 80% (8/10) of the control subjects showed T cell responsiveness to the viral peptides mix, whilst a small proportion showed SV40 specific recall immunity.

Glossary

oncology

(on-call-o-jee) the branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

gene

a segment of DNA that contains information on hereditary characteristics such as hair color, eye color, and height, as well as susceptibility to certain diseases. Women who have BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations (defects) have an inherited tendency to develop breast cancer.

DNA

(dee-ok-see-ri-bo-new-CLAY-ic) abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid. DNA holds genetic information on cell growth, division, and function.

cell

the basic unit of which all living things are made. Cells replace themselves by splitting and forming new cells (mitosis). The processes that control the formation of new cells and the death of old cells are disrupted in cancer.

carcinogen

(car-sin-o-gin) any substance that causes cancer or helps cancer grow. For example, tobacco smoke contains many carcinogens that greatly increase the risk of lung cancer.

biopsy

(buy-op-see) the removal of a sample of tissue to see whether cancer cells are present. There are several kinds of biopsies. In some, a very thin needle is used to draw fluid and cells from a lump. In a core biopsy, a larger needle is used to remove more tissue.

vaccine

the modified virus of a disease used to bring about resistance to that disease for a period of time, or even permanently. Development of a cancer vaccine is a subject of intense research.

mesothelioma

a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue, such as the peritoneum (lining the abdomen) or pleura (lining the lungs). More on mesothelioma.

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