Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: State-of-the-Art on Current Therapies and Promises for the Future.

ABSTRACT: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare, aggressive cancer of the pleural surface associated with asbestos exposure. The median survival of MPM patients is a mere 8-14 months, and there are few biomarkers and no cure available. It is hoped that, eventually, the incidence of MPM will drop and remain low and constant, given that most nations have banned the use of asbestos, but in the meantime, the incidence in Europe is still growing. The exact molecular mechanisms that explain the carcinogenicity of asbestos are not known. Standard therapeutic strategies for MPM include surgery, often coupled with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, in a small percentage of eligible patients and chemotherapy in tumors considered unresectable with or without adjuvant radiotherapy. In recent years, seve

SUBMITTER: Nicolini F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6992646 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature