Abstract
Background: The immunohistochemical expression of aquaporin-1 (AQP1) in asbestos-related malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is emerging as a useful prognostic indicator of improved survival. A significantly increased incidence of MPM in a small town in southern Italy was ascribed to exposure to fluoro-edenite (FE), a naturally occurring asbestos fiber. We investigated the immunohistochemical expression of AQP1 in patients affected by FE-related MPM; taking into consideration its suggested independent prognostic role, its possible correlation with clinicopathological parameters and patient outcome was also evaluated. Methods: Ten patients were selected for this study, as neoplastic tissue blocks, clinical and follow-up data were available. The immunohistochemical overexpression of AQP1 was defined as ≥50% of tumor cells showing membranous staining. Results: Six cases showed AQP1 expression in ≥50% of tumor cells; in this group, a significant association of AQP1 overexpression with an increased median overall survival (OS) of 26.3 months was observed. By contrast, four patients exhibited an AQP1 score of <50% of stained cells, with a shorter median OS of 8.9 months. Conclusions: The present study represents further confirmation of the hypothesized prognostic role of AQP1, which seems a reliable prognostic indicator.
Highlights
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a highly aggressive neoplasm of the serosal membranes lining the pleural cavity and has been linked with exposure to asbestos fibers [1].malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) results in a very poor prognosis because of a limited response to standard treatments, and the median survival is approximately 6 to 12 months [1,2]
Recent studies have highlighted the potential role of aquaporin-1 (AQP1) as an independent prognostic factor for improved survival in MPM patients exposed to asbestos [5,6]
We investigated the immunohistochemical expression of AQP1 in a small but unique subset of MPM patients living in the Biancavilla area with documented evidence of environmental exposure to FE fibers
Summary
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a highly aggressive neoplasm of the serosal membranes lining the pleural cavity and has been linked with exposure to asbestos fibers [1].MPM results in a very poor prognosis because of a limited response to standard treatments, and the median survival is approximately 6 to 12 months [1,2]. Recent studies have highlighted the potential role of aquaporin-1 (AQP1) as an independent prognostic factor for improved survival in MPM patients exposed to asbestos [5,6]. In detail, according to two recent studies on large series, high levels of immunohistochemically expressed AQP1, in over 50% of tumor cells, seemed to be linked with improved overall survival (OS) in these patients [5,6]. The immunohistochemical expression of aquaporin-1 (AQP1) in asbestos-related malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is emerging as a useful prognostic indicator of improved survival. We investigated the immunohistochemical expression of AQP1 in patients affected by FE-related MPM; taking into consideration its suggested independent prognostic role, its possible correlation with clinicopathological parameters and patient outcome was evaluated. Conclusions: The present study represents further confirmation of the hypothesized prognostic role of AQP1, which seems a reliable prognostic indicator
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