Biological basis for novel mesothelioma therapies.

Joanna Obacz, Henry Yung, Marie Shamseddin, Emily Linnane, Xiewen Liu, Arsalan A Azad, Doris M Rassl, David Fairen-Jimenez, Robert C Rintoul, Marko Z Nikolić, Stefan J Marciniak

Journal: British journal of cancer 2021;125(8):1039-1055

PMID: 34226685

Abstract

Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that is associated with exposure to asbestos. Although asbestos is banned in several countries, including the UK, an epidemic of mesothelioma is predicted to affect middle-income countries during this century owing to their heavy consumption of asbestos. The prognosis for patients with mesothelioma is poor, reflecting a failure of conventional chemotherapy that has ultimately resulted from an inadequate understanding of its biology. However, recent work has revolutionised the study of mesothelioma, identifying genetic and pathophysiological vulnerabilities, including the loss of tumour suppressors, epigenetic dysregulation and susceptibility to nutrient stress. We discuss how this knowledge, combined with advances in immunotherapy, is enabling the development of novel targeted therapies.

© 2021. The Author(s).

Address: Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Keith Peters Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.; UCL Respiratory, Division of Medicine Rayne Institute, University College London, London, UK.; Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Saffron Walden, UK.; Adsorption & Advanced Materials Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.; Department of Histopathology, Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK.; Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.; Department of Thoracic Oncology, Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK.; Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Keith Peters Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. [email protected].; Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK. [email protected].
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