Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 7, 2026

Implantation and Monitoring by PET/CT of an Orthotopic Model of Human Pleural Mesothelioma in Athymic Mice
07:54

Implantation and Monitoring by PET/CT of an Orthotopic Model of Human Pleural Mesothelioma in Athymic Mice

Published on: December 21, 2019

7.4K

Gene-asbestos interaction in malignant pleural mesothelioma susceptibility

Sara Tunesi1, Daniela Ferrante2, Dario Mirabelli3

  • 1Department of Translational Medicine, Unit of Medical Statistics and Cancer Epidemiology, CPO Piemonte and University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy, Center for Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention, City of Health and Science Hospital, Turin, Italy, sara.tunesi@med.uniupo.it.

Carcinogenesis
|July 4, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Genetic factors may influence malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) risk in asbestos-exposed individuals. Certain single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) show interaction with asbestos, suggesting a combined effect on MPM susceptibility.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Genetic Epidemiology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).
  • However, only a small fraction of highly exposed individuals develop MPM, indicating other contributing factors.
  • Genetic predisposition may modulate MPM risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate gene-environment interactions between asbestos exposure and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in relation to MPM risk.
  • To identify specific genetic variants that modify the risk of developing MPM after asbestos exposure.

Main Methods:

  • Gene-environment interaction analysis was performed, incorporating asbestos exposure data and 15 pre-identified SNPs.
  • Statistical methods included relative excess risk for additive interaction, synergy index, and V index for multiplicative interaction.
  • Generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) was employed to assess complex interactions.

Main Results:

  • Six SNPs showed a significant deviation from additive interaction models with asbestos exposure.
  • Four of these SNPs also deviated from multiplicative models, with two (rs1508805 and rs4701085) remaining significant after Bonferroni correction.
  • GMDR analysis indicated a strong MPM risk associated with asbestos and suggested synergistic effects between asbestos and SNPs rs1508805, rs2501618, and rs5756444.

Conclusions:

  • Gene-asbestos interactions appear to play a role in MPM susceptibility.
  • These genetic variations may contribute to the risk of developing MPM in individuals exposed to asbestos.
  • Further research into gene-environment interactions is warranted for a comprehensive understanding of MPM etiology.

More Related Videos

Generation and Expansion of Primary, Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Tumor Lines08:01

Generation and Expansion of Primary, Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Tumor Lines

Published on: April 21, 2022

2.3K
Orthotopic Implantation and Peripheral Immune Cell Monitoring in the II-45 Syngeneic Rat Mesothelioma Model09:31

Orthotopic Implantation and Peripheral Immune Cell Monitoring in the II-45 Syngeneic Rat Mesothelioma Model

Published on: October 2, 2015

9.8K

Related Concept Videos

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
8.4K
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
5.4K
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells01:06

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic...
6.3K
Cancer Prevention02:59

Cancer Prevention

Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
8.7K