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J Thorac Oncol 2022 Jul;17(7):862-864

Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland. Electronic address:

Lung Cancer 2022 Jun 16;170:105-113. Epub 2022 Jun 16.

Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria. Electronic address:

Objectives: Our goal was to evaluate the diagnostic value of DNA methylation analysis in combination with machine learning to differentiate pleural mesothelioma (PM) from important histopathological mimics.

Material And Methods: DNA methylation data of PM, lung adenocarcinomas, lung squamous cell carcinomas and chronic pleuritis was used to train a random forest as well as a support vector machine. These classifiers were validated using an independent validation cohort including pleural carcinosis and pleomorphic variants of lung adeno- and squamous cell carcinomas. Read More

Swiss Med Wkly 2022 Apr 1;152:w30164. Epub 2022 May 1.

Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland.

Objective: We investigated the possibility of linking the data of the Swiss Laboratory for Particle Analysis (Silag), a valuable but incomplete data source in the field of asbestos-related diseases, to the Swiss National Cohort (SNC). With the resulting comprehensive dataset, we intended to provide a source for further research in the field. We also conducted preliminary analyses of data focusing on occupations and regional distribution of malignant pleural mesothelioma cases. Read More

Gynecol Minim Invasive Ther 2022 Apr-Jun;11(2):137-138. Epub 2022 May 4.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.

J Clin Med 2022 Jun 13;11(12). Epub 2022 Jun 13.

Department of Palliative Nursing, Health Sciences, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryomachi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan.

Objectives: we investigated the prevalence and associated factors of depression and complicated grief (CG) among bereaved family members of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) patients in Japan.

Methods: Bereaved family members of MPM patients ( = 72) were surveyed. The Japanese version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Japanese version of the Brief Grief Questionnaire (BGQ) were used to assess depression and complicated grief (CG), respectively. Read More

J Clin Med 2022 Jun 10;11(12). Epub 2022 Jun 10.

Department of Surgery, Division of Thoracic Surgery, G.B. Morgagni-L. Pierantoni Hospital, Via Carlo Forlanini n.34, 47121 Forlì, Italy.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive asbestos-related tumour with poor prognosis. To date, a multimodality treatment, including chemotherapy and surgery, with or without radiotherapy, is the gold standard therapy for selected patients with epithelioid and early-stage MPM. In this setting, the goal of surgery is to achieve the macroscopic complete resection, obtained by either extrapleural pneumonectomy or pleurectomy/decortication. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2022 Jun 12;23(12). Epub 2022 Jun 12.

Biochemistry Section, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie, 8, I-37134 Verona, Italy.

The majority of transcribed RNAs do not codify for proteins, nevertheless they display crucial regulatory functions by affecting the cellular protein expression profile. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are effectors of interfering mechanisms, so that their biogenesis is a tightly regulated process. Onconase (ONC) is an amphibian ribonuclease known for cytotoxicity against tumors and antiviral activity. Read More

Cells 2022 Jun 10;11(12). Epub 2022 Jun 10.

Human Physiology Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive cancer of the pleural surface and is associated with previous asbestos exposure. The chemotherapy drug is one of the main treatments, but the median survival ranges from 8 to 14 months from diagnosis. The redox homeostasis of tumor cells should be carefully considered since elevated levels of ROS favor cancer cell progression (proliferation and migration), while a further elevation leads to ferroptosis. Read More

Cancers (Basel) 2022 Jun 8;14(12). Epub 2022 Jun 8.

Third Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Sotiria Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece.

Mesothelioma, a malignant neoplasm of mesothelial cells, has overall poor prognosis. Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are proteins that contribute to the immune response. In this study the clinical utility and prognostic significance of serum and pleural fluid soluble CAM (sCAM) levels were assessed in patients with mesothelioma. Read More

BMC Cancer 2022 Jun 23;22(1):693. Epub 2022 Jun 23.

Bristol Myers Squibb, Braine-L'Alleud, Belgium.

Background: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive and rare tumour with poor prognosis. Most patients are diagnosed with advanced disease and there is a paucity of data on the humanistic burden of MPM in terms of impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and activity. This study examined real-world treatment patterns and humanistic disease burden of MPM in Europe. Read More

Semin Nucl Med 2022 Jun 20. Epub 2022 Jun 20.

Department of Radiology, Duke University, Durham, NC; Department of Medicine, Otago Medical School, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Electronic address:

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States. Accurate staging at initial diagnosis determines appropriate treatment and is the most important predictor of survival. Since 2018, the 8th edition of the TNM staging system has been used to stage lung cancer based on local tumor extent (T), nodal involvement (N), and metastases (M). Read More

Arch Pathol Lab Med 2022 Jun 23. Epub 2022 Jun 23.

MESOPATH College, MESONAT, MESOBANK, Department of BioPathology Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France (Le Stang, Sequeiros, Karanian, Galateau-Salle).

Context.—: Homozygous deletion (HD) of CDKN2A is one of the most frequent genetic abnormalities in pleural mesotheliomas. HD of CDKN2A by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a reliable marker of malignancy in mesothelial proliferations; however, evaluation of CDKN2A deletion requires FISH. Read More

Curr Oncol 2022 Jun 15;29(6):4260-4266. Epub 2022 Jun 15.

Division of Medical Oncology, Canadian Sarcoma Research and Clinical Collaboration (CanSaRCC), Princess Margaret Cancer Centre-University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada.

Sarcoma can present as locally advanced disease involving pleura for which extra-pleural pneumonectomy (EPP) may be the only surgical option to ensure adequate local control. Data were collected on patients who underwent EPP between January 2009 and August 2021 at Princess Margret Hospital and SickKids (Toronto) using the CanSaRCC (Canadian Sarcoma Research and Clinical Collaboration). Ten patients with locally advanced sarcoma involving the pleura, aged 4 to 59 years (median 19. Read More

Langenbecks Arch Surg 2022 Jun 23. Epub 2022 Jun 23.

Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Hospital Barmherzige Brüder, Regensburg, Germany.

Purpose: This single-center study evaluated cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM).

Methods: Prospectively collected data from a single institution data registry was retrospectively investigated. Eighty-four patients with primary malignant peritoneal mesothelioma underwent CRS and HIPEC with cisplatin and doxorubicin either for 60 min or 90 min of duration from 2011 to 2021. Read More

BMJ Open 2022 Jun 22;12(6):e062907. Epub 2022 Jun 22.

Department of Surgical Oncology, Erasmus MC Kanker Instituut, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Introduction: Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare, aggressive tumour arising primarily from the peritoneum. The only potentially curative treatment is cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). However, the majority of patients are not eligible to undergo this treatment. Read More

Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2022 Jun 20:e13627. Epub 2022 Jun 20.

Concord Cancer Centre, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, New South Wales, Australia.

Objective: To explore the experience of family caregivers of people with mesothelioma with focus on end-of-life issues.

Methods: A qualitative sub-study using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis.

Results: Fourteen caregivers were interviewed; 11 were bereaved. Read More

AJSP Rev Rep 2022 May-Jun;27(3):98-102

University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Pathology.

A 57-year-old man developed a mesothelial proliferation in the peritoneum, several months after he was diagnosed with biopsy-proven epithelioid mesothelioma of the pleura and having undergone several treatments with checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy. The differential diagnosis was metastatic mesothelioma from the lung primary, versus a reactive process. A diagnosis of atypical mesothelial proliferation was made. Read More

Environ Health 2022 Jun 18;21(1):60. Epub 2022 Jun 18.

Cancer Epidemiology Unit, CPO Piemonte and University of Turin, Turin, Italy.

Background: The Italian mesothelioma registry (ReNaM) estimates mesothelioma incidence and addresses its etiology by assessing cases' exposures but cannot provide relative risk estimates.

Objectives: i) To estimate pleural mesothelioma relative risk by industry and occupation and by ReNaM categories of asbestos exposure; and ii) to provide quantitative estimates of the exposure-response relationship.

Methods: A population-based mesothelioma case-control study was conducted in 2012-2014 in five Italian regions. Read More

Am J Surg Pathol 2022 Jun 20. Epub 2022 Jun 20.

Departments of Pathology.

Localized malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare tumor with limited information in the literature. In this study, we present our experience with 18 cases seen in our hospital over a period of 43 years (1978 to 2021). Patients' median age was 55 years (y) (range: 33 to 79 y) and most of them were Caucasians. Read More

Life Sci 2022 Jun 13;304:120716. Epub 2022 Jun 13.

College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY 11439, USA. Electronic address:

Introduction: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare malignancy affecting the mesothelial cells in the pleural lining surrounding the lungs. First approved chemotherapy against MPM was a platinum/antifolate (cisplatin/pemetrexed) (2003). Since then, no USFDA approvals have gone through for small molecules as these molecules have not been proven to be therapeutically able in later stages of clinical studies. Read More

Thorac Cancer 2022 Jun 15. Epub 2022 Jun 15.

Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.

Large cell lung cancer metastases to the testis are scarce, although it is the most common malignancy and the most common site of metastases for breast, colorectal and kidney cancers. We hereby report a 28-year-old male patient admitted to our hospital with a chief complaint of scrotal enlargement, accompanied by chest pain and progressive dyspnea. The definite diagnosis was malignant pleural mesothelioma with the synchronous occurrence of large cell lung cancer with testicular metastasis. Read More

Transl Cancer Res 2022 May;11(5):1451-1456

Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Division, Guiqian International General Hospital, Guiyang, China.

Background: Primary malignant pericardial mesothelioma (PMPM) is a highly malignant tumor originating in the pericardium serosum with clinical manifestations presenting as constrictive pericarditis, with pericardial tamponade and heart failure. Malignant pericardial mesothelioma is rare and has a poor prognosis, with an average survival time of 6-10 months.

Case Description: Herein, we report the case of a 57-year-old female who developed chest tightness and panic for no obvious reason. Read More

EClinicalMedicine 2022 Jun 19;48:101432. Epub 2022 May 19.

Centre for Trials Research, Cardiff University, Wales, UK.

Background: Currently, there is no US Food and Drug Administration approved therapy for patients with pleural mesothelioma who have relapsed following platinum-doublet based chemotherapy. Vinorelbine has demonstrated useful clinical activity in mesothelioma, however its efficacy has not been formally evaluated in a randomised setting. BRCA1 expression is required for vinorelbine induced apoptosis in preclinical models. Read More

Eur J Cancer 2022 May 23;171:64-74. Epub 2022 May 23.

Medical Oncology, Vall D'Hebron University Hospital and Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain.

Background: Although SARS-CoV-2 vaccines immunogenicity in patients with cancer has been investigated, whether they can significantly improve the severity of COVID-19 in this specific population is undefined.

Methods: Capitalizing on OnCovid (NCT04393974) registry data we reported COVID-19 mortality and proxies of COVID-19 morbidity, including post-COVID-19 outcomes, according to the vaccination status of the included patients.

Results: 2090 eligible patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between 02/2020 and 11/2021 were included, of whom 1930 (92. Read More

JCO Precis Oncol 2022 Jun;6:e2100422

Foundation Medicine Inc, Cambridge, MA.

Purpose: Mesothelioma is an aggressive malignancy with heterogeneous outcomes that are partly driven by the differential efficacy of existing therapies across histologic types and sites of origin. Large-scale molecular analysis of mesothelioma and its subtypes has the potential to inform future therapeutic strategies.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed 1,294 mesotheliomas {980 pleural (malignant pleural mesothelioma [MPM]) and 314 peritoneal (malignant peritoneal mesothelioma [MPeM])} using next-generation sequencing, determined programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression and histology in a subset of cases, and assessed copy-number status by fluorescence in situ hybridization and T-cell infiltration in an independent cohort. Read More

Crit Rev Toxicol 2022 Jun 15:1-24. Epub 2022 Jun 15.

Consultant in Toxicology, 40 Chemin de la Petite-Boissière, Geneva, Switzerland.

The potential toxic effects of short chrysotile and amphibole asbestos fibers with lengths <5 to ∼10 µm have been debated over the years. This stems from the large database of epidemiology, toxicology, and studies, each of which often provides different information in understanding and differentiating the effects of short fibers. The epidemiology studies in which the cancer potency estimates were based upon relatively high exposure concentrations provide a conservative assessment that shorter fibers would have little if any effect, especially under controlled exposure or environmental conditions that may occur today. Read More

Cancer Cell Int 2022 Jun 14;22(1):213. Epub 2022 Jun 14.

Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China.

Background: Thrombospondin-2 (THBS2) is a versatile glycoprotein that regulates numerous biological functions, including the apoptosis-proliferation balance in endothelial cells, and it has been linked to tumor angiogenesis. However, the exact role of THBS2 in human cancer remains unknown. This study aimed to determine THBS2 expression in a pan-cancer analysis and its association with pan-cancer prognosis and to further identify its possible roles in tumor immunity and the extracellular matrix (ECM). Read More

Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi 2022 May 25;102(24):1786-1789. Epub 2022 May 25.

Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine/Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China.

Based on the clinical evidence obtained during the past decade, we reviewed herein the evidences in the treatment of 5 types of common pleural diseases. (1) Therapeutic pleural interventions are not recommended for patients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE) who are asymptomatic. In patients with symptomatic MPE, large-volume thoracentesis should be performed in MPE patients to figure out if the patient's symptoms are related to the effusion and/or if the lung is expandable; if so, indwelling pleural catheters and/or talc pleurodesis can be used as first-line definitive intervention. Read More

BMJ Open Respir Res 2022 06;9(1)

MRC Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Oxford, UK.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has presented substantial new challenges to clinical and research teams. Our objective was to analyse the experience of investigators and research delivery staff regarding the research response to COVID-19 in order to identify these challenges as well as solutions for future pandemic planning.

Methods: We conducted a survey of diverse research staff involved in delivery of COVID-19 clinical trials across the UK. Read More