Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 18, 2026
Generation and Expansion of Primary, Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Tumor Lines
Published on: April 21, 2022
CD30 is a potential therapeutic target in malignant mesothelioma
Snehal Dabir1, Adam Kresak2, Michael Yang2
1Division of Hematology and Oncology, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center and University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio.
Abstract:
CD30 is a cytokine receptor belonging to the TNF superfamily (TNFRSF8) that acts as a regulator of apoptosis. The presence of CD30 antigen is important in the diagnosis of Hodgkin disease and anaplastic large cell lymphoma. There have been sporadic reports of CD30 expression in nonlymphoid tumors, including malignant mesothelioma. Given the remarkable success of brentuximab vedotin, an antibody-drug conjugate directed against CD30 antigen, in lymphoid malignancies, we undertook a study to examine the incidence of CD30 in mesothelioma and to investigate the ability to target CD30 antigen in mesothelioma. Mesothelioma tumor specimens (N = 83) were examined for CD30 expression by IHC. Positive CD30 expression was noted in 13 mesothelioma specimens, primarily those of epithelial histology. There was no significant correlation of CD30 positivity with tumor grade, stage, or survival. Examination of four mesothelioma cell lines (H28, H2052, H2452, and 211H) for CD30 expression by both FACS analysis and confocal microscopy showed that CD30 antigen localized to the cell membrane. Brentuximab vedotin treatment of cultured mesothelioma cells produced a dose-dependent decrease in cell growth and viability at clinically relevant concentrations. Our studies validate the presence of CD30 antigen in a subgroup of epithelial-type mesothelioma tumors and indicate that selected mesothelioma patients may derive benefit from brentuximab vedotin treatment.
Insights
CD30 antigen is present in a subset of malignant mesothelioma tumors. This finding suggests that some mesothelioma patients could benefit from brentuximab vedotin treatment targeting CD30.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- CD30 is a cytokine receptor in the TNF superfamily, crucial for apoptosis regulation.
- CD30 antigen expression is vital for diagnosing Hodgkin disease and anaplastic large cell lymphoma.
- Sporadic CD30 expression has been reported in non-lymphoid tumors, including malignant mesothelioma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of CD30 expression in mesothelioma.
- To investigate the potential of targeting CD30 in mesothelioma using brentuximab vedotin.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to examine CD30 expression in 83 mesothelioma tumor specimens.
- FACS analysis and confocal microscopy assessed CD30 expression in four mesothelioma cell lines.
- Mesothelioma cell lines were treated with brentuximab vedotin to evaluate its effect on cell growth and viability.
Main Results:
- CD30 expression was detected in 13 out of 83 mesothelioma specimens (15.7%), predominantly in epithelial histology.
- No significant correlation was found between CD30 positivity and tumor grade, stage, or patient survival.
- Brentuximab vedotin demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction in mesothelioma cell growth and viability at clinically relevant concentrations.
Conclusions:
- CD30 antigen is present in a subgroup of epithelial malignant mesothelioma.
- Targeting CD30 with brentuximab vedotin shows promise for treating selected mesothelioma patients.
- Further investigation is warranted to explore brentuximab vedotin as a therapeutic option for mesothelioma.
