Asbestos-related cancers: the ‘Hidden Killer’ remains a global threat

Zandwijk, Nico van; Reid, Glen; Frank, Arthur L.

doi:10.1080/14737140.2020.1745067

Cited by 31 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 82 publications

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“…The review of undertaken studies made by Lee (2001) shows that exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer in non-smokers and that there is a joint relationship between asbestos and smoking resulting in a multiplying effect. However, because asbestos and smoking are both parts of the carcinogenic process, it has been pointed out to be very difficult to accurately calculate the contribution of asbestos to lung cancers occurring in asbestos-exposed smokers (van Zandwijk et al, 2020). Klebe et al (2020) have pointed out that asbestos and smoking are inseparable agents at the biological level in the individual case to cause asbestos-related diseases.…”

Section: Articlementioning

confidence: 99%

Malignant mesothelioma and asbestos exposure in Europe: Evidence of spatial clustering

Wilk

Krówczyńska²

2021

Geospat Health

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Exposure to asbestos causes a wide range of diseases, such as asbestosis, malignant mesothelioma (MM) and other types of cancer. Many European countries have reduced production and use of asbestos and some have banned it altogether. Based on data derived from the World Health Organisation (WHO) Cancer Mortality Database, we investigated whether some regions in Europe could have a higher relative risk of MM incidence than others. The data were compared, including the number of MM deaths per million inhabitants and aged-standardized mortality rates. Applying Moran’s I and Getis-Ord Gi statistic on the agedstandardized mortality rates of MM cases assisted the spatial analysis of the occurrence of health events leading to an assessment of the heterogeneity of distribution and cluster detection of MM. We found a statistically significant positive autocorrelation for the male population and also the general population, while there was no statistically significant positive one for the female population. Hotspots of relative risk of developing MM were found in northwestern Europe. For the general population, Great Britain and the Netherlands stood out with high levels at the 99% and 95% confidence levels, respectively. For the male population, the results were similar, but with addition of risk also in Belgium and Switzerland. However, in many European countries with high asbestos use per capita, the MM incidence was found to still be low. The reasons for this are not yet clear, but part of the problem is certainly due to incomplete data in registers and databases. The latency time can be longer than 40 years and is related to the intensity and time of exposure (occupational, para-occupational and environmental). In Europe, even though peak production occurred in the 1960s and 1970s, a significant decrease in production did not occur until 25 years later, which means that the impact will continue for as late as The mid 2030s.

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Section: Articlementioning

confidence: 99%

Malignant mesothelioma and asbestos exposure in Europe: Evidence of spatial clustering

Wilk

Krówczyńska²

2021

Geospat Health

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“…Colon cancer represent the third most frequent malignant disease in terms of incidence and mortality worldwide [ 19 ]. Some epidemiological observations suggest an increased risk of colorectal cancer in asbestos-exposed patients [ 9 , 10 , 14 , 19 , 20 ], even if the molecular mechanisms have not yet been investigated and clarified. Moreover, according to the recent consensus statement on asbestos-related neoplasms, colorectal cancers cannot yet be considered as asbestos-related diseases [ 21 , 22 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mesothelioma and Colorectal Cancer: Report of Four Cases with Synchronous and Metachronous Presentation

Serio

Pezzuto

Fortarezza

et al. 2022

IJMS

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There is evidence that asbestos could play a role in the carcinogenesis of digestive cancers. The presence of asbestos fibres in histological samples from gastric, biliary, colon cancers has been reported, but the mechanism is still controversial. It has been hypothesised that asbestos reaches these sites, especially through contaminated water; however, some experimental studies have shown that the inhaled fibres are mobile, so they can migrate to many organs, directly or via blood and lymph flow. We report four unusual cases of colorectal cancers in patients with a long history of asbestos exposure who also developed synchronous or metachronous mesothelioma. We evaluated the roles of BRCA associated protein-1 (BAP1) and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) in colon cancer and mesothelioma to support the hypothesis that BAP-1 and CDKN2A are tumour suppressor genes involved in disease progression, recurrence, or death in both digestive cancers and mesothelioma. Potentially, these markers may be used as predictors of worse prognosis, but we also stress the importance of clinical surveillance of exposed patients because asbestos could induce cancer in any organ.

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“…In Europe, the incidence is around 20 per million. The worldwide MPM incidence is difficult to determine as the disease is underreported in several countries [2,3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hitting the Bull’s-Eye: Mesothelin’s Role as a Biomarker and Therapeutic Target for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Yeo

Castelletti

Zandwijk

et al. 2021

Cancers

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Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive cancer with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. MPM originates from the mesothelial lining of the pleura. Mesothelin (MSLN) is a glycoprotein expressed at low levels in normal tissues and at high levels in MPM. Many other solid cancers overexpress MSLN, and this is associated with worse survival rates. However, this association has not been found in MPM, and the exact biological role of MSLN in MPM requires further exploration. Here, we discuss the current research on the diagnostic and prognostic value of MSLN in MPM patients. Furthermore, MSLN has become an attractive immunotherapy target in MPM, where better treatment strategies are urgently needed. Several MSLN-targeted monoclonal antibodies, antibody–drug conjugates, immunotoxins, cancer vaccines, and cellular therapies have been tested in the clinical setting. The biological rationale underpinning MSLN-targeted immunotherapies and their potential to improve MPM patient outcomes are reviewed.

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Asbestos-related cancers: the ‘Hidden Killer’ remains a global threat

Cited by 31 publications

References 82 publications

Malignant mesothelioma and asbestos exposure in Europe: Evidence of spatial clustering

Malignant mesothelioma and asbestos exposure in Europe: Evidence of spatial clustering

Mesothelioma and Colorectal Cancer: Report of Four Cases with Synchronous and Metachronous Presentation

Hitting the Bull’s-Eye: Mesothelin’s Role as a Biomarker and Therapeutic Target for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

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