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Individual predictors of increased serum mesothelin in asbestos-exposed workers

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Abstract

The soluble mesothelin-related peptide (SMRP), a candidate marker for screening of subjects with asbestos exposure, is influenced by some individual and clinical factors. The aim of this study was to quantify the role of age, smoking, weight, presence of diseases and exposure to asbestos on serum SMRP levels in a large series of subjects exposed to asbestos, possible candidates for mesothelioma screening. One thousand seven hundred and four participants underwent clinical examination and were interviewed on medical anamnesis, occupation, smoking and weight. SMRP was measured by an ELISA assay. Overall, median SMRP was 0.4 (IQR 25–75: 0.3–0.7) nmol/l. It was higher in current smokers and in subjects with a cumulative asbestos exposure >50 ff/cc/years than in all the other subjects (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). SMRP was positively correlated with age (ρ = 0.11, p < 0.001) and, inversely, with BMI (ρ = −0.15, p < 0.001). SMRP was lower in healthy subjects (n = 1,217: median 0.4 nmol/l) than in subjects with malignant tumors (n = 118: 0.5 nmol/l; p = 0.01), asbestos-related pleural lesions (plaques or thickenings, n = 152: 0.6 nmol/l; p < 0.001) and other benign diseases (n = 182: 0.5 nmol/l; p = 0.04). Multivariate analysis revealed significant predictors of increased SMRP: age >57 years, current smoking, a positive anamnesis for cancer and for asbestos-related pleural lesions, and BMI < 25. Some clinical and demographic variables are associated with serum SMRP levels. The degree of these associations is low, nevertheless they should be accounted for in the interpretation of SMPR as a candidate marker predictive of mesothelioma. The potential predictive value of serum SMRP in screening/surveillance programs must be validated in prospective studies.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to M. Figliomeni, C. Ferrarazzo, A. Messina and E. Ginocchio whose participation enabled us to complete the study. We acknowledge also the assistance and advice of M. Paganuzzi in managing biomarkers. This study was funded by a grant from the Italian Agency for Occupational Accident Insurance (Istituto Nazionale Assicurazione contro gli Infortuni sul Lavoro—INAIL) and from Fondazione CARIGE, Genova.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Clinical Trials, IRCCS AOU San Martino—IST – Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Largo Rosanna Benzi, 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy

    Rosa Filiberti & Domenico F. Merlo

  2. Department of Laboratory Medicine, IRCCS AOU San Martino—IST – Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Largo Rosanna Benzi, 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy

    Paola Marroni & Barbara Bobbio

  3. Oncology Unit, Villa Scassi Hospital, ASL 3, Corso Scassi, 16151, Genoa, Italy

    Manlio Mencoboni, Andrea Bruzzone, Lisette Del Corso & Paola Taveggia

  4. Italian Agency for Occupational Accident Insurance (INAIL), Via G. D’Annunzio 76, 16121, Genoa, Italy

    Virginia Mortara

  5. S. C. Diagnostica per Immagini ed Ecografia Interventistica, O. Evangelico Internazionale Genova, Corso Solferino 1, 16122, Genoa, Italy

    Pietro Caruso

  6. Occupational Medicine Unit, IRCCS AOU San Martino—IST – Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy

    Alex Cioè, Luigi Michelazzi, Roberto Galli, Guglielmo Dini & Fabio Spigno

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  1. Rosa Filiberti
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Correspondence to Rosa Filiberti.

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Filiberti, R., Marroni, P., Mencoboni, M. et al. Individual predictors of increased serum mesothelin in asbestos-exposed workers. Med Oncol 30, 422 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-012-0422-6

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