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BMJ Open 2018 Dec 9;8(12):e021063. Epub 2018 Dec 9.

Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.

Objective: Exposure to asbestos is the major cause for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), but the causal link of individual cases is difficult to establish for lack of exposure information and long disease latency.

Methods: We established a retrospective cohort of workers employed in asbestos industries during the period of 1950-1989 and the occurrence of MPM during the period of 1980-2009 was examined with the Taiwan Cancer Registry. Estimated rate ratios (eRRs) were computed for each factory where any case of MPM was diagnosed by assuming Poisson distribution with a minimal latency of 20 years. Read More

BMC Res Notes 2018 Dec 5;11(1):864. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia.

Objective: Pleural effusion (PE) is a common feature of malignant pleural mesothelioma. These effusions typically contain lymphocytes and malignant cells. We postulated that the PE would be a source of lymphocytes for analysis of tumor immune milieu. Read More

Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018 Nov 28. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany (Institute for Pathology).

Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018 Nov 28. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Canton, USA (Retired).

Int J Radiat Biol 2018 Dec 4:1-15. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

h Cascade Scientific, Inc ., Bend , OR 97703.

Background: During the Cold War the United States (U.S.) conducted 230 above-ground atmospheric nuclear weapons tests between 1945 and 1962 at the Nevada Test Site and the Pacific Proving Grounds. Read More

Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2018 Nov 29. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Bezmialem Vakif Universitesi Tip Fakultesi, 221266, Chest Diseases, Istanbul, Turkey.

J Thorac Imaging 2018 Nov 27. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Cardio-thoracic Research Center of Bordeaux, U1045, CIC 1401.

Rationale: As pleural plaque has been reported as a risk factor in the occurrence of lung cancer and mesothelioma, a reproducible and precise method of measurement of pleural plaque volume (PPV) is needed to further describe these relationships. The aim of the study was to assess the reproducibility of a 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) volumetric analysis of PPV in patients with occupational exposure to asbestos.

Material And Methods: A total of 28 patients were retrospectively randomly selected from the multicenter APEXS (Asbestos Post Exposure Survey) study, which was held between 2003 and 2005. Read More

Respirol Case Rep 2019 Jan 9;7(1):e00380. Epub 2018 Nov 9.

Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Liverpool Hospital Sydney, New South Wales Australia.

Asbestosis is diagnosed with a combination of historical, clinical and radiological findings in the absence of another cause. Histology is required when uncertainty exists, with lung biopsy via VATs being gold standard. Transbronchial cryobiopsy is becoming increasingly popular for diagnosing interstitial lung disease and may provide sufficient lung sample to demonstrate asbestosis. Read More

Geospat Health 2018 11 9;13(2). Epub 2018 Nov 9.

Department of Geoinformatics, Cartography and Remote Sensing, Faculty of Geography and Regional Studies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw.

Asbestos is carcinogenic to humans and exposure to this substance can cause a wide range of diseases. In Poland 1997, a statutory ban was introduced on the production, use and marketing of products containing asbestos. The National Programme for Asbestos Abatement for 2009-2032 includes scheduled activities considering asbestos exposure assessment and health protection. Read More

Transl Lung Cancer Res 2018 Oct;7(5):520-536

Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Paediatrics, Antwerp University, Wilrijk, Belgium.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a tumour related to a historical exposure to asbestos fibres. Currently, the definite diagnosis is made only by the histological examination of a biopsy obtained through an invasive thoracoscopy. However, diagnosis is made too late for curative treatment because of non-specific symptoms mainly appearing at advanced stage disease. Read More

Pathologe 2018 Nov 16. Epub 2018 Nov 16.

Georgius Agricola Stiftung Ruhr, Deutsches Mesotheliomregister, Institut für Pathologie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bürkle-de-la-Camp Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Deutschland.

Background: In Germany, asbestos-related diseases (asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma) are recognised and compensated occupational diseases. The histologic diagnosis of mesothelioma is sometimes a challenge; additional immunohistochemical and molecular methods are needed. With lung dust analysis, the current asbestos fibre burden of the lung is measured (biomonitoring). Read More

Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018 Nov 13. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany (Institute for Pathology).

Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018 Nov 13. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany (University Hospital of Giessen and Marburg, Institute and Outpatients' Clinic for Occupational and Social Medicine (IPAS)).

Occup Environ Med 2018 Nov 10. Epub 2018 Nov 10.

Center for Construction Research and Training, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.

Objective: The US National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommends two pathways for eligibility for Early Lung Cancer Detection (ELCD) programmes. Option 2 includes individuals with occupational exposures to lung carcinogens, in combination with a lesser requirement on smoking. Our objective was to determine if this algorithm resulted in a similar prevalence of lung cancer as has been found using smoking risk alone, and if so to present an approach for lung cancer screening in high-risk worker populations. Read More

J Thorac Oncol 2018 Oct 23. Epub 2018 Oct 23.

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Australia; Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, Australia. Electronic address:

Background: Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) is an uncommon cancer with a poor prognosis and heterogeneous survival. Surgery for MPM is offered in some specialist centres to highly selected patients. A previously described classification and regression tree (CART) model stratified survival in unselected MPM patients using routinely collected clinical data. Read More

Int J Occup Environ Health 2018 Jul - Oct;24(3-4):134-148. Epub 2018 Oct 25.

e Cardno ChemRisk , LLC , Pittsburgh , PA , USA.

In this meta-analysis, exposures to airborne asbestos during work with or around floor tiles were characterized according to several variables: study, sample type, activity, and task. Personal breathing zone, bystander, and area sample exposure concentrations were differentiated and compared against current occupational exposure limits to asbestos. In total, 22 studies, including 804 personal, 57 bystander, and 295 area samples, were included in the analysis. Read More

Case Rep Pulmonol 2018 24;2018:7302898. Epub 2018 Sep 24.

University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK.

Yellow nail syndrome is a rare acquired condition of unknown aetiology associated with distinct nail discolouration/xanthonychia, pulmonary manifestations, and lymphoedema. Pleural plaques and diffuse pleural thickening are typically, although not exclusively, recognised as markers of prior commercial asbestos exposure. The presence of such biomarkers may assist an asbestos personal injury evaluation. Read More

J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol 2018 Oct;62 Suppl 1:27

Department of Radiology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, New South Wales, Australia.

Oncoimmunology 2018 30;7(10):e1494111. Epub 2018 Jul 30.

National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases (NCARD). Lv5 QQ Block (M503). QEII Medical Centre, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive asbestos induced cancer with extremely poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Immune checkpoint blockade (ICPB) has demonstrated effective therapy in melanoma and is now being applied to other cancers, including mesothelioma. However, the efficacy of ICPB and which immune checkpoint combinations constitute the best therapeutic option for mesothelioma have yet to be fully elucidated. Read More

Rev Pneumol Clin 2018 Dec 27;74(6):436-443. Epub 2018 Sep 27.

Centre des maladies professionnelles et environnementales, CHRU Morvan, 29200 Brest, France; EA 3149, laboratoire d'études et de recherches en sociologie, LABERS, université de Bretagne Occidentale, 29200 Brest, France. Electronic address:

Introduction: The odd risk ratio for an asbestos-related disease is 6.9 for National Defense personnel and 94% of the victims who are compensated belong to the French Navy. While employment-exposure matrices exist for the civilian environment, none are available to the military. Read More

J Thorac Oncol 2018 Nov 25;13(11):1655-1667. Epub 2018 Sep 25.

Clinical Investigations Branch, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland. Electronic address:

On March 28- 29, 2017, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Thoracic Malignacy Steering Committee, International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, and Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation convened the NCI-International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer- Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation Mesothelioma Clinical Trials Planning Meeting in Bethesda, Maryland. The goal of the meeting was to bring together lead academicians, clinicians, scientists, and the U.S. Read More

Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2018 Sep 26. Epub 2018 Sep 26.

Medical Sciences, University of Trieste.

Background: Altered miRNA expression is an early event upon exposure to occupational/environmental carcinogens; thus, identification of a novel asbestos-related profile of miRNAs able to distinguish asbestos-induced cancer from cancer with different ethiology can be useful for diagnosis. We therefore performed a study to identify miRNAs associated with asbestos-induced malignancies.

Methods: Four groups of patients were included in the study, including patients with asbestos-related (NSCLCAsb) and asbestos-unrelated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), and disease-free subjects (CTRL). Read More

Sci Rep 2018 Sep 25;8(1):14321. Epub 2018 Sep 25.

Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr University Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany.

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is strongly associated with a previous asbestos exposure. To improve timely detection of MM in asbestos workers, better screening tools - like minimally-invasive biomarkers - are desirable. Between 2008 and 2018 2,769 patients with benign asbestos-related diseases were recruited to participate in annual screens. Read More

J Toxicol Environ Health A 2018 19;81(19):1015-1027. Epub 2018 Sep 19.

e Cumming School of Medicine , University of Calgary , Calgary , Canada.

An increased risk for Systemic Autoimmune Diseases (SAID) was reported in the population of Libby, Montana, where extensive exposure to asbestiform amphiboles occurred through mining and use of asbestiform fiber-laden vermiculite. High frequencies of antinuclear autoantibodies (ANA) were detected in individuals and mice exposed to Libby Asbestiform Amphiboles (LAA). Among the 6603 individuals who have undergone health screening at the Center for Asbestos Related Diseases (CARD, Libby MT), the frequencies of rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, sarcoidosis, and systemic sclerosis are significantly higher than expected prevalence in the United States. Read More

Eur J Cancer 2018 Nov 6;103:1-6. Epub 2018 Sep 6.

Division of Molecular Genetic Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.

Objective: We aimed to explore the effect of occupation on familial risk of pleural mesothelioma in a nationwide cohort study design.

Method: The nationwide Swedish Family-Cancer Database includes all Swedes born after 1931 and their biological parents, totalling 16.1 million individuals with about 2. Read More

Chem Res Toxicol 2018 Oct 12;31(10):994-1008. Epub 2018 Sep 12.

MRC Toxicology Unit , University of Cambridge , Hodgkin Building, Leicester LE1 9HN , United Kingdom.

Asbestos fibers are naturally occurring silicates that have been extensively used in the past, including house construction, but because of their toxicity, their use has been banned in 63 countries. Despite this, more than one million metric tons of asbestos are still consumed annually in countries where asbestos use has not been banned. Asbestos-related disease incidence is still increasing in several countries, including those countries that banned the use of asbestos more than 30 years ago. Read More

J Korean Med Sci 2018 Aug 19;33(35):e226. Epub 2018 Jul 19.

Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Korea.

Background: Asbestos exposure causes asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) including asbestosis, malignant mesothelioma, lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, and ovarian cancer. Although Korea used substantial amounts of asbestos in the past, no study has focused on its occupational burden of disease (OBD). Therefore, this study aimed to determine the OBDs of ARDs in Korea. Read More

Am J Public Health 2018 Oct 23;108(10):1296-1302. Epub 2018 Aug 23.

Steven B. Markowitz, Amy Manowitz, Amaka C. Onyekelu-Eze, Lewis D. Pepper, and Albert Miller are with Barry Commoner Center for Health and the Environment, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY. Jeffrey A. Miller is with the Department of Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System East Orange Campus, Department of Radiology, East Orange. James S. Frederick is with United Steelworkers, Health, Safety, and Environment Department, Pittsburgh, PA. Shannon A. Widman is with Duke Office of Clinical Research, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC.

Objectives: To determine the lung cancer screening yield and stages in a union-sponsored low-dose computerized tomography scan program for nuclear weapons workers with diverse ages, smoking histories, and occupations.

Methods: We implemented a low-dose computerized tomography program among 7189 nuclear weapons workers in 9 nonmetropolitan US communities during 2000 to 2013. Eligibility criteria included age, smoking, occupation, radiographic asbestos-related fibrosis, and a positive beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2018 08 2;15(8). Epub 2018 Aug 2.

Preventive, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea.

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between various asbestos exposure routes and asbestos-related disorders (ARDs). The study population comprised 11,186 residents of a metropolitan city who lived near asbestos factories, shipyards, or in slate roof-dense areas. ARDs were determined from chest X-rays indicating lower lung fibrosis (LFF), pleural disease (PD), and lung masses (LMs). Read More

J Formos Med Assoc 2018 Jul 30. Epub 2018 Jul 30.

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan; Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, No. 17, Xu-Zhou Road, Taipei, 100, Taiwan; Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100, Shih-Chuan 1st Rd., Kaohsiung City, 807, Taiwan. Electronic address:

Background/purpose: Globally, asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) keep rising over the coming decades. The epidemic of ARDs will be a burden on public health. We aimed to predict the malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) incidence in the next 30 years for Taiwan based on historical asbestos consumption. Read More

High Throughput 2018 Jul 27;7(3). Epub 2018 Jul 27.

Department of Integrative Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada.

Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive and lethal asbestos-related disease. Diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma is particularly challenging and is further complicated by the lack of disease subtype-specific markers. As a result, it is especially difficult to distinguish malignant mesothelioma from benign reactive mesothelial proliferations or reactive fibrosis. Read More

BMJ Open 2018 Jul 25;8(7):e022806. Epub 2018 Jul 25.

Asbestos Diseases Research Institute, Concord Clinical School, University of Sydney, Rhodes, New South Wales, Australia.

Objectives: The global burden of asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) is significant, and most of the world's population live in countries where asbestos use continues. We examined the gaps between ARD research and suggestions of WHO and the International Labour Organization on prevention.

Methods: From the Web of Science, we collected data on all articles published during 1991-2016 and identified a subset of ARD-related articles. Read More

Ann Occup Environ Med 2018 11;30:45. Epub 2018 Jul 11.

5Department of Preventive Medicine and Institute of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University, 20 Ilsan-ro, Wonju, Gangwon-do 26426 Republic of Korea.

Background: This study aimed to enhance understanding of the epidemiologic characteristics of asbestos-related diseases, and to provide information that could inform policy-making aimed at prevention and compensation for occupational asbestos exposure, through analyzing asbestos-related occupational disease claims to Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service from 2011 to 2015.

Methods: We analyzed 113 workers who filed medical care claims or survivor benefits for asbestos exposure and occupational-related disease from 2011 to 2015. Among these claims, we selected approved workers' compensation claims relating to malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer, and analyzed the general characteristics, exposure characteristics, pathological characteristics, and occupation and industry distribution. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2018 07 3;15(7). Epub 2018 Jul 3.

Preventive, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea.

Although workplace asbestos concentrations (AC) have been reported several times, the past environmental AC are relatively poorly studied. Due to the harmful effects of the asbestos industry, production has moved from early industrialized countries (Japan), to late industrialized countries (Korea), and finally to industrializing countries (Indonesia). The purpose of this study was to determine current occupational exposure levels and evaluate neighborhood environmental exposure levels in an Indonesian asbestos textile factory through collaboration among three generation of industrialized countries. Read More

J Thorac Oncol 2018 Sep;13(9):1269-1283

Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland. Electronic address:

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and aggressive cancer that arises from the mesothelial surface of the pleural and peritoneal cavities, the pericardium, and rarely, the tunica vaginalis. The incidence of MPM is expected to increase worldwide in the next two decades. However, even with the use of multimodality treatment, MPM remains challenging to treat, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 5%. Read More

J Toxicol Environ Health A 2018 21;81(15):734-747. Epub 2018 Jun 21.

e Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sinai , New York NY.

An increased risk for Systemic Autoimmune Diseases (SAID) has been reported in Libby, Montana, where extensive exposures to fibrous amphiboles occurred due to mining and use of asbestos-laden vermiculite. In addition, positive antinuclear autoantibody tests are associated with exposure to Libby Asbestiform Amphiboles (LAA) in both humans and mice. Among 6603 subjects who underwent health screening at the Center for Asbestos Related Diseases (CARD, Libby MT), 13. Read More

Ind Health 2018 Oct 26;56(5):382-393. Epub 2018 May 26.

Department of Radiology, National Hospital Organization Kinki-Chuo Chest Medical Center, Japan.

Two hundred and thirty-three individuals read chest x-ray images (CXR) in the Asian Intensive Reader of Pneumoconiosis (AIR Pneumo) workshop. Their proficiency in reading CXR for pneumoconiosis was calculated using eight indices (X1-X8), as follows: sensitivity (X1) and specificity (X2) for pneumoconiosis; sensitivity (X3) and specificity (X4) for large opacities; sensitivity (X5) and specificity (X6) for pleural plaques; profusion increment consistency (X7); and consistency for shape differentiation (X8). For these eight indices, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Scheffe's multiple comparison were conducted on six groups, based on the participants' specialty: radiology, respiratory medicine, industrial medicine, public health, general internal medicine, and miscellaneous physicians. Read More

Am J Ind Med 2018 Jul 24;61(7):615-620. Epub 2018 May 24.

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana.

Background: Studies comparing different forms of asbestos are rare, and limited by the failure to compare results with unexposed populations. We compare autoimmune responses among former workers and residents of the crocidolite mining and milling town of Wittenoom, Western Australia, with an unexposed population.

Methods: ANA testing using indirect immunofluorescence was performed on randomly selected serum samples from Wittenoom workers or residents and compared with those from participants of another unexposed cohort study. Read More

Pneumologie 2018 Jul 18;72(7):507-513. Epub 2018 May 18.

Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, ehem. Lehrstuhl Arbeitsmedizin; European Society for Environmental and Occupational Medicine (EOM Society); Berlin, Germany.

Although there is no dispute among independent scientists about the carcinogenic and fibrogenic effects of chrysotile, the asbestos industry has been continuously and successfully acting to cast doubts on its harm. Another approach including asbestos insurance entities is to refuse compensation by raising the bar and fight criminal prosecution for asbestos-related diseases by the help of paid scientists. A recent publication on asbestos fibre burden in human lungs fits well in this context. Read More

Epidemiol Prev 2018 Mar-Apr;42(2):171-177

Regione Toscana, Firenze.

Asbestos-related diseases are characterized by a long latency time since exposure. This accounts for a health surveillance programme addressed to asbestos workers to be performed for decades after the cessation of occupational exposure. We describe the health surveillance programme for former asbestos-exposed workers in Tuscany Region (Central Italy), with particular attention to organization and related critical issues. Read More

Epidemiol Prev 2018 Mar-Apr;42(2):142-150

Dipartimento ambiente e salute, Istituto superiore di sanità, Roma.

Objectives: to estimate the health impact of asbestos fibres naturally occurring in Mount Pollino area (Basilicata Region, Southern Italy).

Design: geographic mortality, hospitalization, and incidence study. Setting and participant s: population resident in 12 Municipalities of Mount Pollino area with naturally occurring asbestos fibres. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2018 05 16;15(5). Epub 2018 May 16.

WSH Institute, MOMSC, Singapore, ICOH c/o INAIL, Monteporzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy.

: Asbestos has been used for thousands of years but only at a large industrial scale for about 100⁻150 years. The first identified disease was asbestosis, a type of incurable pneumoconiosis caused by asbestos dust and fibres. The latest estimate of global number of asbestosis deaths from the Global Burden of Disease estimate 2016 is 3495. Read More

J Thorac Oncol 2018 Jul 9;13(7):1012-1021. Epub 2018 May 9.

Medical School and National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia and Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

Introduction: Malignant pleural mesothelioma poses unique difficulties in tumor measurement and response assessment; however, robust and reproducible assessment of response is critically important in the conduct, interpretation, and reporting of clinical trials.

Methods: The current de facto standard for the assessment of mesothelioma tumor response, "modified RECIST" (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors), was published in 2004 as a research paper. Practical application of the modified RECIST guidelines has suffered from varied interpretations, resulting in inaccuracies and inconsistencies in tumor response assessment across and within mesothelioma clinical trials. Read More

Int J Occup Environ Health 2017 07 8;23(3):243-249. Epub 2018 May 8.

a Lung and Pleural Cancers Research and Clinical Center , Eskisehir Osmangazi University , Eskisehir , Turkey.

Background Asbestos-contaminated soil has been used by people for many years in the rural part of Anatolia. However, there is no program to control usage of asbestos in this region. Objective To determine the knowledge and awareness level about asbestos in a region where asbestos-related diseases are endemic due to environmental exposure to asbestos in the rural setting. Read More

Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2018 Jul 30;96:135-141. Epub 2018 Apr 30.

Center for Environmental and Occupational Risk Analysis and Management, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, FL, 33612, USA. Electronic address:

Three independently conducted asbestos exposure evaluations were conducted using wire gauze pads similar to standard practice in the laboratory setting. All testing occurred in a controlled atmosphere inside an enclosed chamber simulating a laboratory setting. Separate teams consisting of a laboratory technician, or technician and assistant simulated common tasks involving wire gauze pads, including heating and direct wire gauze manipulation. Read More

Tumori 2018 Apr 1:300891618765538. Epub 2018 Apr 1.

4 Laboratory of Pathological Anatomy of Monfalcone, Italy.

Background: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) diagnosis is known to be difficult. We report on the diagnostic elements available in life in an MPM necropsy case series and describe the frequency of non-neoplastic asbestos-related diseases as biological exposure indices.

Methods: We reviewed pathologic and clinical records of an unselected series of autopsies (1977-2016) in patients with MPM employed in the Monfalcone shipyards or living with shipyard workers. Read More

Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2018 Jul 24;82(7):1159-1164. Epub 2018 Apr 24.

a Institute of Industrial Science , The University of Tokyo , Tokyo , Japan.

Malignant mesothelioma is an asbestos-related aggressive tumor and current therapy remains ineffective. Zebularine as a DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor has an anti-tumor effect in several human cancer cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether zebularine could induce antiproliferative effect in human malignant mesothelioma cells. Read More

J Cell Physiol 2018 Sep 16;233(9):7391-7401. Epub 2018 Apr 16.

Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a very aggressive asbestos-related cancer, whose incidence is increasing worldwide. Unfortunately, no effective therapies are currently available and the prognosis is extremely poor. Recently, the anti-helminthic drug pyrvinium pamoate has attracted a strong interest for its anti-cancer activity, which has been demonstrated in many cancer models. Read More

Lung Cancer 2018 May 9;119:64-70. Epub 2018 Mar 9.

National Centre for Asbestos Related Disease, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009, Australia. Electronic address:

Objectives: Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an asbestos related tumour affecting cells of serosal cavities. More than 70% of MM patients develop pleural effusions which contain tumour cells, representing a readily accessible source of malignant cells for genetic analysis. Although common somatic mutations and losses have been identified in solid MM tumours, the characterization of tumour cells within pleural effusions could provide novel insights but is little studied. Read More

Environ Int 2018 06 5;115:301-311. Epub 2018 Apr 5.

KU Leuven, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Unit of Environment and Health, Laboratory of Toxicology, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address:

Inhalation exposure to asbestos is associated with lung and pleural diseases in humans and remains a major public health issue worldwide. Human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) were exposed to UICC amosite, crocidolite and chrysotile. Cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, global DNA methylation on cytosine residues (using LC-MS/MS) were investigated at different doses (2. Read More