Biomarkers in the prevention and follow-up of workers exposed to asbestos

Abstract

Although in most developed countries the use of asbestos is banned, there is still a consistent portion of the world where asbestos extraction, trading and manufacturing of asbestos-made products is largely diffuse. Worldwide, hundreds of millions of people are at risk of developing an asbestos caused disease because of occupational, environmental or domestic exposure. The WHO estimates that asbestos is responsible for more than 100,000 deaths yearly. This scenario has prompted the research on biomarkers potentially useful for early diagnosis, prognosis and preventive programs on exposed population as well. Here we reviewed the up-to-date literature on this field of research highlighting that along with mesothelin and osteopontin (OPN), some more recently investigated molecules, such as high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein, fibulin-3 and some miRNAs showed very promising. Most of the carried-out studies showed an interesting diagnostic and prognostic performance of some biomarkers, but since they usually lack adequate either specificity or sensitivity, their use in screening or in preventive programs is still not recommended on a routine basis. However, this review suggests the need for more reliable experimental design involving larger population and preferring longitudinal screening of asbestos exposed individuals rather than a single baseline assessment investigation. In addition, given their better diagnostic accuracy, the use of panels including several biomarkers is highly recommended.

Evaluation of soluble mesothelin-related peptides and MSLN genetic variability in asbestos-related diseases

“…16,[39][40][41][42][43][44][45] Additionally, recent studies suggest that a combination of different biomarkers could improve the predictive capacity of SMRP. 41,42,44,46,47 Our present results show that genetic variability affecting the expression of these biomarkers should also be taken into account.…”

Asbestos-Related Diseases and Blood Biomarkers

“…Apart from the most frequently studied biomarkers described above, some studies investigated other serum or plasma factors in asbestos-related diseases [83][84][85]. Among protein biomarkers, megakaryocyte potentiating factor and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) were increased in MM patients compared to healthy individuals or patients with benign asbestos-related diseases [84,85].…”

“…Additionally, novel studies suggest microRNA (miRNA) expression could also serve as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker in MM [84][85][86]. Kirschner et al compared cell-free miRNA profiles in plasma from MM patients with healthy controls and proposed the potential role of miRNA-29c* and miRNA-92a as a candidate tumour biomarkers, and indicated that miRNA-625-3p is a promising novel diagnostic marker for MM [86].…”

“…As individual biomarkers that have been proposed in asbestos-related diseases have some limitations, it was suggested that a combination of different factors might be a better diagnostic or prognostic biomarker in asbestos-related diseases [83][84][85].…”

Exhaled Breath Analysis in Diagnosis of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Systematic Review

“…Due to the challenges with diagnosis and unfavorable effect of late diagnosis on disease outcome, as well as the predicted burden of MPM in the future, there is excessive research interest in the discovery of potential biomarkers of MPM. Among them, studies on tissue and blood biomarkers (i.e., mesothelin, osteopontin, fibulin-3, high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) protein, aquaporin 1, microRNAs, proteomics-based biomarkers) have shown promising results [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26]. Soluble mesothelin related peptide (SMRP) is the most studied biomarker and has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used in MPM diagnosis.…”