The Evolving Landscape of the Molecular Epidemiology of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma.

ABSTRACT: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and aggressive malignancy that most commonly affects the pleural lining of the lungs. It has a strong association with exposure to biopersistent fibers, mainly asbestos (80% of cases) and-in specific geographic regions-erionite, zeolites, ophiolites, and fluoro-edenite. Individuals with a chronic exposure to asbestos generally have a long latency with no or few symptoms. Then, when patients do become symptomatic, they present with advanced disease and a worse overall survival (about 13/15 months). The fibers from industrial production not only pose a substantial risk to workers, but also to their relatives and to the surrounding community. Modern targeted therapies that have shown benefit in other human tumors have thus far failed in MPM. Over

SUBMITTER: Lettieri S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7959144 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature