The Molecular Basis of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Thorac Surg Clin. 2020 Nov;30(4):383-393. doi: 10.1016/j.thorsurg.2020.08.005. Epub 2020 Sep 12.

Abstract

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare, aggressive malignancy of the pleural lining associated with asbestos exposure in greater than 80% of cases. It is characterized by molecular heterogeneity both between patients and within individual tumors. Next-generation sequencing technology and novel computational techniques have resulted in a greater understanding of the epigenetic, genetic, and transcriptomic hallmarks of MPM. This article reviews these features and discusses the implications of advances in MPM molecular biology in clinical practice.

Keywords: Epigenetic; Gene expression; Genetic; Mesothelioma; Molecular.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Asbestos / adverse effects
  • Computational Biology / methods
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Gene Expression
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
  • Humans
  • Mesothelioma, Malignant / etiology
  • Mesothelioma, Malignant / genetics*
  • Pleural Neoplasms / etiology
  • Pleural Neoplasms / genetics
  • Transcriptome

Substances

  • Asbestos