Diagnostic biomarker of asbestos-related mesothelioma: Example of translational research

Cancer Science. 2007 Aug;98(8):1147-51. Epub 2007 May 25. [Link]

Okio H, Kazu S, Masahiro M.

Department of Pathology and Oncology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Tokyo, Japan. ohino@med.juntendo.ac.jp

Abstract

Mesothelioma is an aggressive tumor arising from the mesothelium, and is usually associated with previous exposure to asbestos. The incubation period of asbestos-related mesothelioma is estimated to be approximately 30–40 years. Once mesothelioma has occurred, there is no effective treatment. So, identification of tumor markers and a method for early diagnosis using such markers are urgently needed. Recently, several enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay systems for Erc/mesothelin have been developed, the reported usefulness of which has been assessed and demonstrated as a diagnostic tool. Asbestos-related mesothelioma should be ascribed as a typical environmental carcinogen. In this review, we will present asbestos-related mesothelioma for the study of problems in environmental carcinogenesis.