An overview of existing mesothelioma registries worldwide,and the need for a US Registry

The association between asbestos exposure, mainly in occupational settings, and malignant mesothelioma has been well established; this has prompted several countries to establish mesothelioma epidemiologic surveillance programs often at the request of national agencies. This review compares currently existing mesothelioma registries worldwide to develop a concept model for a US real-time case capture mesothelioma registry. Five countries were identified with a mesothelioma specific registry, including Italy, France, UK, Australia, and South Korea. All, except the UK, used interviews to collect exposure data. Linkage with the national death index was available or was in future plans for all registries. The registries have limited information on treatment, quality of life, and other patient-centered outcomes such as symptoms and pain management. To thoroughly collect exposure data, “real-time” enrollment is preferable; to maximize the capture of mesothelioma cases, optimal coverage, and a simplified consent process are needed.     

Prognostic and clinicopathological utility of programmed death-ligand 1 in malignant pleural mesothelioma: A meta-analysis

ObjectiveProgrammed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) has been reported to be connected to prognosis in individuals with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), although there is no consensus based on data from previous studies. Accordingly, this quantitative meta-analysis investigated prognostic and clinicopathological utility of PD-L1 in patients with MPM.MethodsA comprehensive search of the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases for articles published up to October 4, 2019 was performed. Studies using immunohistochemical techniques to detect/quantify the expression of PD-L1 in MPM tissue were enrolled in the analysis. The combined hazard ratio (HR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was applied to assess the association between PD-L1 expression and overall survival (OS).ResultsA total of 11 studies comprising 1606 patients was included in the present meta-analysis. For OS, pooled data revealed an HR of 1.50 (95% CI 1.32–1.70; p < 0.001), suggesting that patients with PD-L1 overexpression experience inferior OS. Subgroup analysis revealed that elevated PD-L1 remained a significant prognostic indicator for worse OS, irrespective of sample size, cut-off value, ethnicity, and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale score. Moreover, PD-L1 overexpression was associated with non-epithelioid histology (odds ratio 4.30 [95% CI 1.89–9.74]; p < 0.001).ConclusionsResults of this meta-analysis show that elevated expression of PD-L1 could be a factor predicting poorer survival in patients with MPM.     

A comparative immunohistochemical study of malignant mesothelioma and renal cell carcinoma: the diagnostic utility of Leu-M1, Ber EP4, Tamm-Horsfall protein and thrombomodulin

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma has occasionally been reported to mimic malignant pleural mesothelioma. Morphologically, histochemically and immunohistochemically, similarities in the two tumours exist making their differentiation difficult, particularly in biopsy specimens. The aim of this study was to make a comparative immunohistochemical analysis of the two tumours by use of a panel of four antibodies (Leu M1; Ber EP4; thrombomodulin and Tamm-Horsfall protein). Their suitability in differentiating between the two tumours was assessed. We examined 20 cases of renal cell carcinoma and 20 cases of malignant pleural mesothelioma. On immunostaining with Leu M1, 14 of 20 renal cell carcinomas were positive, yielding 70% sensitivity and 95% specificity and one of 20 mesotheliomas. In comparison, Ber EP4 antibody stained only seven of 20 of the renal cell carcinomas. In addition, it was noted that four tubulopapillary pattern renal cell carcinomas stained positively with both anti-Leu M1 antibody and Ber EP4 antibody. Thrombomodulin immunostaining was present in 11 of 20 mesotheliomas (55% sensitivity and demonstrated 95% specificity) and one of 20 renal cell carcinomas. For epithelial mesotheliomas only, thromobomodulin staining was identified in 10 of 14 cases. In the differentiation of renal cell carcinoma from epithelial mesothelioma we recommend the use of Leu M1 and thrombomodulin as diagnostically useful markers. None of the antibodies used in this study was effective in distinguishing sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma from sarcomatous mesothelioma. Tamm-Horsfall protein showed little diagnostic utility in differentiating the two tumours.     

16例胸膜间皮瘤临床分析

１６例胸膜间皮瘤，其中１例有石棉接触史，占６．１７％；＞４０岁者占８１．５％。主要临床表现为胸痛、气短、咳嗽、低热和胸腔积液，临床上易误诊为结核性胸膜炎、肺癌胸膜转移等。胸部ｘ线检查及胸部ＣＴ对该病的诊断有帮助，大都有特征性表现。确诊靠针刺胸膜活检及开胸活检。胸膜间皮瘤的治疗主要采用手术、放疗和化疗，对于局限型治疗首选手术切除。肿瘤的良、恶性、疾病的分期及治疗与预后有一定关系。     

Diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma in an urban hospital: clinical spectrum and trend in incidence over time

This retrospective analysis reviews the clinical experience of a major urban referral hospital with diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma during the 14-year period from 1973 through 1986. Seventy-five cases of definite or equivocal mesothelioma were identified. There were four cases of primary malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, seven cases of benign fibrous mesothelioma, and 64 cases of diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma. In 43 cases (67%) of diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma, there was historic evidence of asbestos exposure. In 21 cases (33%), there was no known history of asbestos exposure. An increase in annual incidence of diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma was observed over the study period, from three cases in 1973 to ten cases in 1986. Despite greater awareness of this disease, the diagnosis remains a difficult one to establish given the nonspecific symptoms, signs and radiographic appearance, variable histologic appearance, and poor diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of thoracentesis and closed pleural biopsy. Thoracotomy, thoracoscopy, and CT-guided needle biopsies gave higher yields and are the diagnostic measures of choice when diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma is suspected.     

免疫组化在恶性间皮瘤鉴别诊断中的应用价值

目的 对恶性间皮瘤进行免疫组化的对比性研究,以进一步评价它们在恶性间皮瘤鉴别诊断中的价值。方法 采用免疫组织化学染色(LSAB)法对22例恶性间皮瘤和20例对照组腺癌组织进行EMA、CEA、CK、vimentin、间皮细胞(M-cell)等5种单克隆抗体的标记。结果 恶性间皮瘤的阳性率分别为 M-cell 91％,CEA 9％,vimentin 73％,CK82％,EMA64％;而腺癌的阳性率为分别为M-cell5％,CEA 85％,vimentin 15％,CK100％,EMA 100％。结论 在恶性间皮瘤和腺癌的鉴别诊断中,M-cell和CEA是较理想的标记物,尤其是M-cell,CEA和vimentin三种抗体联合应用更具有价值。而在恶性间皮瘤和其他梭形细胞肿瘤的鉴别诊断中,还应联合使用CK和EMA。     

Mortality study of asbestos cement workers

The present study describes cause-specific mortality of asbestos cement workers in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy. The cohort included workers in ten factories, most of which started operating between 1955 and 1965. Asbestos, mainly chrysotile, constituted 10%–20% of the dry component of the mixture. Crocidolite range between 5% and 50% of total asbestos. Asbestos concentrations up to 44 ff/cc were reported prior to 1975, while in recent years they have usually been below 0–1 ff/cc. The cohort included 3341 workers who had at some time been employed in the ten factories under study. Their mortality experience was compared with that of the population resident in Emilia Romagna. Vital status was ascertained at 1989. Seventy-three subjects were lost to followup (2.2%). Mortality from all causes and from all types of cancer was increased in the cohort. Malignant neoplasms of the respiratory tract showed a significant increase (SMR: 134; 90% confidence interval: 101–175; 40 observed) due to lung cancer (SMR: 124; 90% confidence interval: 91–166; 33 observed) and neoplasms of the pleura, mediastinum, and other parts of the respiratory tract (SMR: 602; 90% confidence interval 237–1267; 5 observed). The discrepancy between observed and expected mortality mainly concerned subjects with at least 20 years of employment in the factories. Five more cases of histologically confirmed mesothelioma occurred after the end of follow-up.     

Report of a Case of Pericardial Mesothelioma with Liver Metastases Responding Well to Pemetrexed and Platinum-Based Chemotherapy

Pericardial mesothelioma remains a disease with a bleak prognosis. We report the case of a patient with metastases to liver and good response to pemetrexed and carboplatin-based combination chemotherapy and consequent prolonged progression-free survival.     

Menogaril in the treatment of malignant mesothelioma: A phase II study

Summary Menogaril is a new semisynthetic anthracycline agent derived from the antitumor antibiotic Nogalomycin. Compared to doxorubicin it has similar or improved activity in anti-tumor cell line screening; human tumor cloning assays suggest modest anti-tumor activity as well. Menogaril is much less cardiotoxic than doxorubicin. We performed a phase II trial of this agent in 22 patients with advanced malignant mesothelioma. At a dose of 200 mg/m² iv every 4 weeks (160 mg/m² in previously radiated patients) only 1 of 22 (5%) evaluable patients had a partial remission lasting 4 months. (95% confidence limits 0.1–23%). The major toxic effects included pain at the site of infusion and granulocytopenia. While well tolerated, Menogaril has minimal activity in malignant mesothelioma. We do not plan further studies with Menogaril in this disease.