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Updated: Jul 26, 2025
Generation and Expansion of Primary, Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Tumor Lines
Published on: April 21, 2022
Circulating FGF18 is decreased in pleural mesothelioma but not correlated with disease prognosis
Berta Mosleh1, Karin Schelch1,2, Thomas Mohr2
1Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Background:
Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is a relatively rare malignancy with limited treatment options and dismal prognosis. We have previously found elevated FGF18 expression in PM tissue specimens compared with normal mesothelium. The objective of the current study was to further explore the role of FGF18 in PM and evaluate its suitability as a circulating biomarker.
Methods:
FGF18 mRNA expression was analyzed by real-time PCR in cell lines and in silico in datasets from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Cell lines overexpressing FGF18 were generated by retroviral transduction and cell behavior was investigated by clonogenic growth and transwell assays. Plasma was collected from 40 PM patients, six patients with pleural fibrosis, and 40 healthy controls. Circulating FGF18 was measured by ELISA and correlated to clinicopathological parameters.
Results:
FGF18 showed high mRNA expression in PM and PM-derived cell lines. PM patients with high FGF18 mRNA expression showed a trend toward longer overall survival (OS) in the TCGA dataset. In PM cells with low endogenous FGF18 expression, forced overexpression of FGF18 resulted in reduced growth but increased migration. Surprisingly, despite the high FGF18 mRNA levels observed in PM, circulating FGF18 protein was significantly lower in PM patients and patients with pleural fibrosis than in healthy controls. No significant association of circulating FGF18 with OS or other disease parameters of PM patients was observed.
Conclusions:
FGF18 is not a prognostic biomarker in PM. Its role in PM tumor biology and the clinical significance of decreased plasma FGF18 in PM patients warrant further investigation.
Insights
Fibroblast growth factor 18 (FGF18) shows high mRNA expression in pleural mesothelioma (PM) but is not a reliable circulating biomarker for this rare cancer. Further research is needed to understand FGF18
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is a rare cancer with poor prognosis.
- Previous studies indicated elevated FGF18 expression in PM tissues.
- The role of FGF18 in PM and its potential as a biomarker required further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the function of FGF18 in PM.
- To assess FGF18's suitability as a circulating biomarker for PM.
Main Methods:
- FGF18 mRNA expression analyzed via real-time PCR and TCGA datasets.
- Cell lines manipulated for FGF18 overexpression to study cell behavior.
- Circulating FGF18 levels measured by ELISA in PM patients, pleural fibrosis patients, and healthy controls.
Main Results:
- High FGF18 mRNA expression observed in PM cell lines and tissues.
- Overexpression of FGF18 in PM cells reduced growth but increased migration.
- Circulating FGF18 protein levels were significantly lower in PM and pleural fibrosis patients compared to healthy controls.
Conclusions:
- FGF18 is not a prognostic biomarker for PM.
- The biological role of FGF18 in PM and the reason for decreased plasma levels warrant further study.
