Abstract
Serum osteopontin levels in patients with malignant mesothelioma have been reported to be higher than in healthy subjects. This study assessed serum osteopontin levels in an asbestos-exposed population to test whether nonmalignant asbestos-related disorders could influence osteopontin levels. This cross-sectional study evaluated serum osteopontin levels in 525 male subjects. Subjects were classified into six different diagnostic groups, including asbestosis (n=23), silicosis (n=20), diffuse pleural thickening (n=110), asbestosis and diffuse pleural thickening (n=13), pleural plaques (n=142), and healthy subjects with a history of asbestos exposure (n=217). Mean serum osteopontin levels differed among the six groups (P<0.0001). Mean osteopontin values of the healthy individuals exposed to asbestos were significantly different from that of subjects with asbestosis (P<0.001) and diffuse pleural thickening (P<0.001). There was a significant difference in mean serum levels of osteopontin in healthy individuals exposed to asbestos (n=217) compared with the group mean of all subjects with asbestos-related disorders (n=288; P<0.0001). Our results suggest that osteopontin levels are elevated in subjects with asbestos-related disorders without malignant mesothelioma. These data indicate that osteopontin, although reported to be useful for detecting malignant mesothelioma in asbestos-exposed individuals, may be influenced by nonmalignant processes.
Highlights
Serum osteopontin levels in patients with malignant mesothelioma have been reported to be higher than in healthy subjects
Mean osteopontin values of the healthy individuals exposed to asbestos were significantly different from that of subjects with asbestosis (P < 0.001) and diffuse pleural thickening (P < 0.001)
Our results suggest that osteopontin levels are elevated in subjects with asbestosrelated disorders without malignant mesothelioma.These data indicate that osteopontin, reported to be useful for detecting malignant mesothelioma in asbestos-exposed individuals, may be influenced by nonmalignant processes
Summary
Serum osteopontin levels in patients with malignant mesothelioma have been reported to be higher than in healthy subjects. This study assessed serum osteopontin levels in an asbestos-exposed population to test whether nonmalignant asbestos-related disorders could influence osteopontin levels. Experimental Design: This cross-sectional study evaluated serum osteopontin levels in 525 male subjects. Subjects were classified into six different diagnostic groups, including asbestosis (n = 23), silicosis (n = 20), diffuse pleural thickening (n = 110), asbestosis and diffuse pleural thickening (n = 13), pleural plaques (n = 142), and healthy subjects with a history of asbestos exposure (n = 217)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
