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Pleural Mesothelioma: Treatable Traits of a Heterogeneous Disease

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06 November 2023

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07 November 2023

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Abstract
Mesothelioma is a cancer arising from mesothelial cells lining the thoracic (pleura) or the abdominal (peritoneum) cavities, and more rarely from transformed mesothelial cells of pericardium or tunica vaginalis testis. The development of mesothelioma has been related to the exposure to carcinogenic mineral fibers, mainly asbestos. Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive disease with diffuse nature, low median survival, and prolonged latency presenting difficulty in prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment. We here review all these aspects to underline the progress being made in investigation and to emphasise how much work remains to be done to improve prognosis and treatment.
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Subject: Medicine and Pharmacology  -   Oncology and Oncogenics

1. Introduction

Mesothelioma is a particularly aggressive cancer arising from mesothelial cells lining the thoracic (pleura) or the abdominal (peritoneum) cavities, and more rarely from transformed mesothelial cells of pericardium or tunica vaginalis testis. The development of mesothelioma has been related to the exposure to carcinogenic mineral fibers, mainly asbestos.[1] The disease is characterized by heterogeneity, intended at several levels, which is ultimately responsible of limited response to therapies and poor patients survival [Abbott DM, Bortolotto C, Benvenuti S, Lancia A, Filippi AR, Stella GM. Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Genetic and Microenviromental Heterogeneity as an Unexpected Reading Frame and Therapeutic Challenge. Cancers (Basel). 2020 May 7;12(5):1186. doi: 10.3390/cancers12051186.]. However the advent of novel biotechnologies and next-generation approaches, have allowed also for PM the identification of treatable traits with the development of targeted approaches for the otherwise neglected pathology. The aim of the work is thus - starting from a general description of the clinic-pathologic features of the disease – to describe the known actionable targeted and the next-future drug pipelines.

2. Epidemiology

It's uncertain how common mesothelioma is worldwide. Driscoll et al. calculated that up to 43,000 persons per year die from the illness worldwide. Although the use of asbestos is officially prohibited in 67 countries, Australia, Japan, North America, and western Europe together are thought to account for about 10,000 cases of mesothelioma each year. [2] With a median diagnostic age of 76 years, mesothelioma is a disease primarily affecting the elderly. It is uncommon before the age of 50, but its frequency rises sharply beyond that. [3] Due to historical disparities in exposure, the incidence of pleural mesothelioma (PM) is often higher in men than in women. World-standardized incidence rates per 100,000 persons are 0.7 and 0.3 in the United States and 1.7 and 0.4 in Europe (for males and females, respectively). The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Australia are among the nations with the highest incidence of asbestos use in the past. [4] Along with relatively recent usage bans and a 40-year latency between exposure and presentation, incidence is still rising in many countries. Early in the new millennium, mesothelioma rates in Europe were rapidly increasing; nevertheless, due to widespread home use of asbestos, the frequency of this disease is uncertain in the long run. Furthermore, the usage of asbestos is still growing in developing nations. Males are more likely than females to contract the disease, and females are claimed to have a higher rate of survival in several studies. [5] The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified PM as a very uncommon tumor that is directly linked to all forms of asbestos exposure, making it a preventable and industrial cancer. Compared to Europe, Central Asia still has a high rate of asbestos use, and some nations—including the US—only have usage limitations rather than outright bans. [6]

3. Pathogenetic basis

3.1. The role of asbestos

Due to its low cost-effectiveness and insulating qualities, asbestos has been widely used since the middle of the 20th century. However, this widespread use has been accompanied by a significant rise in mesothelioma incidence and mortality rates. As a result, asbestos use has been strictly regulated in the United States and banned in Europe and Australia. This is because toxicological studies conducted on rodents and in vitro have shown that asbestos fibers are carcinogenic. [7] The word "asbestos" is used in national regulatory papers to refer to six commercially exploited minerals: one serpentine and five amphiboles (crocidolite, actinolite, tremolite, anthophyllite, and amosite) (chrysotile). On the other hand, about 400 other minerals with comparable chemical and physical characteristics are found in the natural environment; their usage is uncontrolled and they are not subject to regulations. Certain minerals have been demonstrated to be carcinogenic, and they can spread via the air and have an impact on nearby human populations. For instance, naturally occurring erionite fibers, which are more carcinogenic than those of regulated asbestos and have been utilized for building and road paving materials, are exposed to people living in several Cappadocian settlements in North Dakota (US) and Turkey. [9] It is now commonly known that specific mineral fiber types have different carcinogenic potencies depending on their size, durability, dose, and physical characteristics. [10–12] Thin, long fibers have been linked to increased mutagenic and cytotoxic efficacy. According to a metanalysis, people who are exposed to fibers longer than 10 μm or even 20 μm are at a significantly higher risk of developing an asbestos-related disease. This is because longer fibers are more difficult for macrophages to efficiently engulf and clear, which results in repeated unsuccessful phagocytosis attempts. [13] Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are released by the inflammatory cells surrounding the fibers as a result of the "frustrated phagocytosis" that follows, which has mutagenic effects. [15] Additionally, variations in the biopersistence of fibers following exposure have an impact on carcinogenesis; serpentine chrysotile, for example, has a lesser carcinogenic potential than amphiboles and erionite due to its shorter biopersistence. However, mesothelial cells undergo an equivalent transformation under extended contact to chrysotile fibers. [15,16] However, due to its significantly lower inflammatory response when compared to carcinogenic fibers, palygorskite—a fiber that is highly prevalent in southern Nevada—was unable to promote cancer in vivo while having lower in vitro cytotoxicity and biopersistence. [17] The early theory of the fiber's mechanical interference with cell division has been categorically ruled out, but the mechanisms underlying asbestos carcinogenesis have long been enigmatic. [18] Nonetheless, a few studies hypothesized that the chemical makeup of fibers might contribute to the asbestos-induced cancer process. Asbestos bodies, which are iron-reaching macromolecular aggregates that favor the development of chronic inflammation, are created when asbestos fibers are deposited in tissues. [19]. However, mesothelial cells undergo an equivalent transformation under extended contact to chrysotile fibers. [15,16] However, due to its significantly lower inflammatory response when compared to carcinogenic fibers, palygorskite—a fiber that is highly prevalent in southern Nevada—was unable to promote cancer in vivo while having lower in vitro cytotoxicity and biopersistence. [17] The early theory of the fiber's mechanical interference with cell division has been categorically ruled out, but the mechanisms underlying asbestos carcinogenesis have long been enigmatic. [18] Nonetheless, a few studies hypothesized that the chemical makeup of fibers might contribute to the asbestos-induced cancer process. Asbestos bodies, which are iron-reaching macromolecular aggregates that favor the development of chronic inflammation, are created when asbestos fibers are deposited in tissues. [19]. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that ROS released by asbestos-activated macrophages may indirectly cause DNA damage by forming 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) adducts. [20] According to recent research on iron-catalyzed ROS production, asbestos-related carcinogenesis may entail ferroptosis, a non-apoptotic, iron-dependent cell death mechanism. [21] Furthermore, through stimulation of the PI3K/MEK5/Fra-1 axis, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been implicated in asbestos-induced carcinogenesis. [22] However, human mesothelial cells (HM), a kind of cell that is especially vulnerable to fiber cytotoxicity and was previously thought to be apoptotic, die when exposed to asbestos particles. [23] Later, it was evident that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), an inflammatory mediator, was linked to the pathogenesis of asbestos. [24] One of the main contributing factors to the pathophysiology and carcinogenesis caused by asbestos and other mineral fibers known to cause cancer is chronic inflammation. The pro-inflammatory milieu created at the fiber deposition site by macrophages and HM, along with the biopersistence of many mineral fibers, enable the avoidance of cell death and ultimately lead to neoplastic transformation. [25] It has been shown that the majority of HM exposed to erionite fibers, crocidolite, and chrysotile asbestos have programmed cell necrosis, which results in cell death. [26] The passive release of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) by necrotic HM at the location of fiber deposition characterizes this controlled form of necrosis. One such damage-associated molecular protein (DAMP) is HMGB1, which encourages the macrophage recruitment necessary to maintain the chronic inflammatory process. In order to prime macrophages for inflammasome activation, HMGB1 binds to RAGE and other HMGB1 receptors. This, in conjunction with other stimuli, such as endogenous ROS produced following asbestos exposure, causes the NLRP3 inflammasome to assemble through the oligomerization of inactive NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC), and procaspase-1. IL-1β, IL-18, IL-1α, and HMGB1 are released when the NLRP3 inflammasome is activated, initiating an autocrine chronic inflammatory process. [27,28] Additionally, TNF-α is secreted during this process, which stimulates NF-κB and increases HM's chance of survival after asbestos exposure. The mesothelioma will form as a result of the surviving HM's continued proliferation and accumulation of genetic alterations. Furthermore, it was observed that ethyl pyruvate, which has been identified as an efficient HMGB1 inhibitor and suppressor of RAGE receptor expression, decreased the proliferation of mesothelioma cells both in vitro and in vivo. Both of these actions help to lower the malignancy of mesothelioma. [29] Whereas HMGB1 is primarily identified in the nucleus of HM, it has also been detected in the cytoplasm and nucleus of mesothelioma. HMGB1 is actively secreted into the extracellular space during mesothelioma, where it binds to RAGE and TLR receptors to form an autocrine pathway that stimulates the growth, motility, and survival of the cancerous cells. [30]

3.2. Genetic basis of the disease

As not all PM patients have a history of asbestos exposure, asbestos fibers primarily cause HM mortality by necrosis and, to a lesser extent, through other cell death processes. Somatic gene mutations that impact DNA repair processes are frequently linked to carcinogenesis, as they cause an increase in the fraction of cells with damaged DNA and the accumulation of damage to DNA. Cancer may arise when these cells develop survival mechanisms like to those triggered by the HMGB1 pathway in mesothelioma. Inherited mutations that impact DNA repair and other genes may exacerbate the carcinogenesis process by making an individual more vulnerable to environmental carcinogens [31,32]. The present method used to investigate GxE interactions in the realm of carcinogens combines genetics (G) and environmental (E) investigations. Recently, the increase in the level of mutations in the genome of cancer cells has been linked to the catastrophic event known as chromothripsis. A single, segregated chromosome that is randomly reassembled can break, resulting in chromothripsis, which causes erroneous rearrangements or deletions of DNA sequences. As a result, huge genomic changes could happen after just one chromothripsis event. This elevated mutational status ultimately promotes carcinogenesis by favoring oncogene activations or the loss of tumor suppressor activities.[33] Notably, noncontiguous biallelic genome alterations with the characteristic pattern of chromothripsis and associated with possible neoantigen expression were found in genomic studies of mesothelioma cells and specimens. These findings may have intriguing implications for the immunogenicity of mesothelioma. [34–36] Mutations were discovered in several tumor suppressors connected to apoptosis and cell cycle regulation in human mesothelioma. The homozygous deletion on locus 9p21, which impacts the transcription of two tumor suppressors—p16INK4a and p14ARF—is one of the main genetic abnormalities seen in mesothelioma. [37] By attaching to CDK4 and CDK6, P16INK4a prevents cell proliferation, and p14 encourages apoptosis by preventing p53 ubiquitylation. Up to 80% of primary pleural mesotheliomas lacked p16, according to cytogenetic research, and p16 inactivation is associated with a worse prognosis. [38] Transgenic p14 (+/-) mice showed decreased heterogeneity for p14 in their extracted primary mouse tumors, and these mice were more prone to asbestos-induced carcinogenesis. [39] Mesothelioma also exhibits significant mutations in Hippo signaling pathway intermediates. In almost 40% of cases of malignant mesothelioma, the upstream initiator of Hippo, neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2)/Merlin, is inactive. [40] Remarkably, after BRCA1 related protein-1, NF2 is the second most often mutated gene in mesothelioma (BAP1). Compared to wildtype controls, heterozygous NF2 (+/-) mice showed an accelerated carcinogenesis and were more susceptible to asbestos exposure. [41] In the Hippo pathway, nonfunctional NF2 causes nuclear accumulation of WW Domain-contain transcription regulator (WWTR1 or TAZ) and yes-associated protein (YAP). One effect of the pro-inflammatory milieu created by asbestos fiber exposure is the increased nucleus formation of the YAP/TAZ complex, which in turn stimulates the expression of several proto-oncogenes and supports the survival of cancer cells. [42] According to the GxE interaction paradigm, those who carry germline mutations are more likely to develop mesothelioma and be at risk for fiber-induced carcinogenesis. This led to the investigation of the gene or genes that may be involved. It was feasible to identify potential frequent abnormalities at chromosome 3p21 in two unrelated US families with a high incidence of mesothelioma and no occupational asbestos exposure thanks to linkage analysis and array-comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH). Following sequencing, germline BAP1 mutations linked to autosomal dominant transmission of uveal melanoma and mesothelioma were discovered (44). In a related study, dominant inheritance of melanocytic malignancies was connected to germline mutations of BAP1 (45). The BAP1-related cancer syndrome was discovered as a result of the individuals with germline altered BAP1 being prone to additional cancer forms such renal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (46). BAP1 was initially identified as a deubiquitylase-active nuclear protein that is a component of multiprotein transcriptional regulators of genes related to metabolism, mitochondrial function, and cell growth. [43,44] According to recent research, BAP1 has multiple activities in the cytoplasm and nucleus that work together to prevent tumor growth. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) fraction is the primary location of cytoplasmic BAP1, where it deubiquitylates and stabilizes the type 3 inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R3). Via the mitochondrial uniporter channel (MUC) in the inner mitochondrial membrane and the voltage-dependent anion channels (VDACs) in the outer mitochondrial membrane, IP3R3 facilitates the release of Ca2+ from the ER into the mitochondrial space. The release of cytochrome c, which triggers apoptosis, is caused by an increase in Ca2+ concentration in the mitochondria. Reduced BAP1 dosage affects both DNA repair, accumulated DNA damage, and the apoptotic response in heterozygous BAP1+/− circumstances, such as in individuals in the families with the BAP1 cancer syndrome. This double function both favorably selects cells with cancer-causing mutations and encourages the growth of tumors. [45] The delineation of the intricate web of molecular processes mediated by asbestos carcinogenesis was aided by the discovery of BAP1 as a primary regulator of metabolism and cell death. [46] To fully understand the role of the genes predisposing to mesothelioma in the molecular pathways of asbestos carcinogenesis, more research will be necessary.

4. Diagnostic work-up

4.1. Clinical Presentation

The most common reason why patients with pleural mesothelioma search for a clinicians attention is for dyspnea, which is often accompanied by a dry cough, chest pain, exhaustion, and weight loss. Fever and sweating at night are less common signs. Patients with ascites as a secondary site of illness from pleural mesothelioma may exhibit early satiety and an unwillingness to lean forward (or in patients with peritoneal mesothelioma). The main reason for complaining dyspnea is the increase of the pleural effusion. When a physical examination suggests a pleural effusion, a first CT scan and chest x-ray are requested. After draining the pleural effusion, the fluid is given a cytological analysis. Pleurodesis with talc poudrage is frequently carried out in the same surgical setting as plural biopsy, which is frequently necessary for diagnosis. Early diagnosis depends on early detection and prompt study of the pleural or peritoneal effusion. Tumor growth will unavoidably result from a delayed diagnosis, which will reduce the available treatment alternatives. Due to increasing compression of the mediastinum and lung limitation, dyspnea and dry cough frequently persist after pleurodesis and get worse as the disease progresses. Weakening pain, loss of weight, and exhaustion are common indicators of mesothelioma progression. It is important to give these individuals the best dietary support possible. Pleural effusions should be drained whenever feasible in order to alleviate symptoms. Often, distant metastases are absent or appear later. In a postmortem analysis of 318 patients with a pleural mesothelioma diagnosis, 55.4 % of patients had distant metastases, and 53.3 % had lymph node involvement. The spleen (10.8 %), thyroid (6.9 %), brain, and liver (31.9 %) all showed signs of tumor spread (3.0 % ). Just 20% of patients had their exact cause of death determined; pulmonary emboli and bronchopneumonia were the most common causes. Additional reasons included invasion of the major vessels and cardiac tamponade. Up to 25% of patients had cachexia, which was more common in cases when there was no apparent reason for death. [18,47] Because of the variability and non-specificity of PM imaging and clinical manifestations, diagnosis can be challenging. Even in situations when there has been prior asbestos exposure, clinical signs and symptoms should not be the exclusive basis for diagnosis. Chest X-rays (CXR), which typically reveal a unilateral pleural effusion and/or thickness, are the normal imaging first step.

4.2. Imaging

For patients with suspected PM, computed tomography (CT) with intravenous contrast agent is the preferred modality for first examination. The chest X-ray has gradually lost its primary significance due to its limited sensitivity and specificity in identifying benign from malignant characteristics. Due to its widespread availability and relatively low cost, CT is currently employed for the diagnosis, staging, and post-treatment monitoring of malignant pleural lesions. CT can identify thickness of the pleura, indicate the existence of malignant characteristics, and help ensure that biopsies are performed correctly. Pleural thickness >10 mm, interlobar fissure thickening, mediastinal pleural involvement, and circumferential pleural thickening are CT characteristics highly indicative of MPM. Pleural effusions and plaques are additional CT abnormalities that are observed in roughly 75% and 20% of patients, respectively. MPM tends to infiltrate neighboring structures early. Fat planes may be destroyed and the major vessels, esophagus, and trachea may become encased as a result of mediastinal pleura, involvement of vascular structures, and involvement of organs. Pericardial thickness and/or effusion are signs of pericardial involvement. Tumor extension into the chest wall can cause rib displacement or destruction, invasion of the intercostal muscles, and obliteration of the extrapleural fat planes. A common observation is hemidiaphragm thickening. However, transdiaphragmatic tumor expansion has not been reliably identified by CT with limited or poor accuracy. A soft tissue mass enveloping the hemidiaphragm and the lack of a fat plane separating the inferior surface of the muscle from the surrounding abdominal organs are characteristics that point to a transdiaphragmatic invasion. Last but not least, CT can occasionally be helpful for the assessment of intrathoracic lymphadenopathy. Ultimately, a number of authors have demonstrated the usefulness of CT in separating benign from malignant pleural illness. Nodular pleural thickening, mediastinal pleural thickening, parietal pleural thickening >1 cm, and circumferential pleural thickening are useful characteristics for distinguishing malignant illness on CT scanning. The specificity of these findings is noticeably lower, even though the sensitivity is higher than previously reported (68%), according to data from a recent study (78%). Notably, malignant pleural illness is not ruled out in the absence of these results, with a negative predictive value of 65%. [48,49]
Since magnetic resonance imaging (MR) has shown to provide a superior soft tissue contrast than computed tomography (CT), it is occasionally utilized for staging. MR is more sensitive in displaying invasion of the diaphragm and chest wall, but it is less sensitive in detecting lymph node metastases and visceral pleural invasion. When iodinated contrast medium is contraindicated, magnetic resonance imaging (MR) is utilized to obtain a more precise evaluation of chest wall or diaphragmatic invasion in patients who may be candidates for aggressive multimodality therapy regimens. [48] MR is not frequently utilized in the diagnostic and staging evaluation of MPM patients due to cost concerns, limited availability, and lengthy imaging times. However, because of its superior contrast resolution on unenhanced scans and better post-contrast enhancement, it has been proven to be helpful in instances that are unclear or in patients who may benefit from multimodality therapy, including surgery. When compared to muscle, pleural mesothelioma is characterized by an intermediate to slightly hyperintense signal on T1-weighted sequences and a more hyperintense signal on T2-weighted sequences. For identifying interlobar fissure invasion and neighboring structure invasion, the most sensitive sequences are contrast-enhanced T1-weighted fat suppressed sequences. Moreover, diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging can disclose details about tissues by measuring the diffusivity of water molecules in certain tissues. Using this method, signal loss may be quantitatively evaluated using the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), which is based on the diffusion of water molecules being restricted by macromolecules and cell membranes. This method indirectly provides tissue cellularity information. In the diaphragm and chest wall, Patz et al. demonstrated that MRI was marginally more sensitive than CT for predicting resectability (100 percent vs. 93 percent - 94 percent, respectively). This is probably because MR offered superior soft tissue contrast in those areas. [50] Heelan and Colleagues examined the preoperative staging accuracy of 65 MPM patients using MR versus CT. While the diagnostic accuracy of MR and CT imaging was about equal when it came to staging, MR imaging was superior when it came to identifying isolated foci of invasion of the chest wall, endothoracic fascia involvement, and diaphragmatic invasion assessment. These results, however, did not alter the surgical strategy. [51] Additionally, multidetector CT (MDCT) offers greater resolution and multiplanar reformations, which may lead to a more accurate assessment of the disease's local extent. [48,49]
Furthermore, PET-CT Even though it is not specific enough to routinely identify MPM, it can be utilized to provide helpful functional information on pleural lesions in cases when prior talc pleurodesis has not been carried out. Based on the standardized uptake value (SUV), PET has shown to be quite useful in differentiating between benign and malignant disorders. It also helps with decision-making on staging and possible treatment options. Several authors demonstrated that malignant from benign pleural illness may be distinguished with sensitivities of 91 percent to 100 percent and specificities of 78 percent to 100 percent using an SUV cutoff value of 2.0 to 2.2. [52] Furthermore, it has been discovered that PET-CT is helpful in determining the best biopsy site to obtain a definitive diagnosis. However, false-negative and false-positive results in pleural disease limit the accuracy of PET-CT (concomitant asbestos-related disease, parapneumonic effusion, uraemic pleural disease, and talc pleurodesis). PET-CT has proven to be more accurate in both determining prospective candidates for multimodality therapy, which includes invasive surgical procedures, and in staging MPM patients overall. Frauenfelder et al. recently assessed the precision of PET-CT and CT for MPM staging in 28 patients receiving induction chemotherapy. In as many as 30% of patients, T stage was understated by CT and PET-CT. When compared to CT, PET-CT revealed greater accuracy for tumor extent (92 percent vs. 84 % , respectively). [53] When it came to preoperative staging in the International Mesothelioma Interest Group staging system (10), PET-CT had a greater accuracy rate than CT (91 percent vs. 82 % , respectively). Additionally, PET-CT may be useful in tracking the effectiveness of treatment, identifying recurrent illness, and supplying prognostic data for MPM patients. [54,55]
When it comes to thoracentesis and drain placement—the primary palliative care intervention for cases of advanced MPM—ultrasound (US) plays a crucial role in directing the needle placement process. The US has the obvious benefits of being quick, easy, and affordable, but it also has the drawback of being very user-dependent. [49] There is a greater than 95% specificity for malignancy in pleural-based mass lesions, pleural thickening greater than 1 cm, nodular pleural thickening, and diaphragmatic nodularity. [56] Qureshi and colleagues showed that US can distinguish between malignant and benign effusions with an overall sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 100%, with specificity comparing favorably with CT, by using similar morphologic criteria as those used in CT (pleural thickening >1 cm, pleural and diaphragmatic thickening >7 mm). [57] Overall, the imaging modalities are the cornerstone of determining the correct biopsy site. As for almost all neoplastic diseases, histologic and/or cytologic confirmation is of paramount importance in order to make diagnosis.

4.3. Bioptic procedures

Disease samples are routinely collected in response to suspected disease presentations (Figure 1). It should be mentioned that IHC-stain can be applied to the material (including cell blocks) in the event of effusion fluid sampling or percutaneous fine needle aspiration cytology of a region of pleural thickening. This method can reasonably accurately detect that the cellular content is mesothelial. However, because it can be challenging to differentiate malignant mesothelioma cells from reactive mesothelial cells and other pleural malignancies in fluid, the pathological diagnosis in cases where there is poor clinical and radiological association should be established on tissue biopsy. Under local or general anesthesia, thoracicoscopic biopsies are considered the gold standard when examining an unexplained pleural effusion in cases where mesothelioma is a possible differential diagnosis. Image-guided cutting-needle biopsies, on the other hand, have a high diagnosis rate and are especially helpful for patients who have pleural thickening but no accompanying pleural effusion or who are too fragile for a thoracoscopy. Specifically, thoracic ultrasonography (TUS) makes it possible for the doctor and radiologist to safely and more accurately do pleural biopsies without exposing them to radiation. The diagnosis of PM is significantly aided by medical thoracoscopy and video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). It permits pleurodesis using talc poudrage and the evacuation of a symptomatic pleural effusion in addition to securing a pathological diagnosis. Furthermore, it allows evaluation of the pleural cavity for staging, including the evaluation of diaphragmatic and visceral pleural invasion, which are significant prognostic variables. For pleural cancer, medical thoracoscopy has a high diagnostic yield. The review of 47 trials involving 4756 individuals revealed extremely low complication rates: 0.34 percent had serious difficulties, 1.8 percent had major complications, and 7.8 percent of cases had moderate complications. Vacuum aspiration pleural biopsies have a 94% negative predictive value, 100% specificity, and 95% sensitivity. The added advantage of VATS is that it permits more invasive surgical procedures to be carried out concurrently with the diagnostic process, such as tumor debulking and lung resection. It is noteworthy that individuals who are not on an intubation can undergo VATS under local anesthesia. In order to obtain a histological diagnosis, medical thoracoscopy is a safe procedure that involves biopsy sampling from at least three distant sites when possible. Additionally, the apparently normal pleura may be sampled in a representative manner, and areas of interest may be targeted using thoracoscopic imaging. [59–61] Parietal pleural biopsies need to be sufficiently deep to assess the invasion of the chest wall's muscle and fat. [4] VATS may not always be possible because of an obliterated pleural space (e.g., low and loculated effusion) caused by a locally advanced disease. In these situations, an open pleural biopsy can be performed through a tiny, muscle-sparing incision made inside the intercostal space, either with or without a corresponding partial rib resection. Another alternative in this situation is a cutting-needle biopsy guided by CT or TUS. Thoracotomy is therefore typically not required for a precise diagnosis of MPM. [59–61].

4.2. Pathologic classification & staging

Pleural tumors have been updated in the WHO Classification of Thoracic Tumors, Fifth Edition, which was published in 2021. While the three primary histologic subtypes—epithelioid, biphasic, and sarcomatoid—remain, the classification of mesothelial tumors has undergone substantial modifications since 2015. All mesotheliomas are considered to be malignant, so the term "malignant" has been dropped from the descriptions of diffuse and localized mesothelioma. Because localized mesotheliomas have been linked to a better prognosis when totally removed, they continue to be distinguished from diffuse mesothelioma. Recent developments in the understanding of mesothelioma genomes have resulted in a greater awareness of mesothelioma in situ (MIS), a previously unrecognized condition. Criteria for MIS have now been established and are included in the 2021 WHO classification [Sauter JL, Dacic S, Galateau-Salle F, Attanoos RL, Butnor KJ, Churg A, Husain AN, Kadota K, Khoor A, Nicholson AG, Roggli V, Schmitt F, Tsao MS, Travis WD. The 2021 WHO Classification of Tumors of the Pleura: Advances Since the 2015 Classification. J Thorac Oncol. 2022 May;17(5):608-622. doi: 10.1016/j.jtho.2021.12.014; Mastromarino MG, Lenzini A, Aprile V, Alì G, Bacchin D, Korasidis S, Ambrogi MC, Lucchi M. New Insights in Pleural Mesothelioma Classification Update: Diagnostic Traps and Prognostic Implications. Diagnostics (Basel). 2022 Nov 22;12(12):2905. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics12122905]
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is advised because of the variety of histological abnormalities seen in mesotheliomas, the pleura's frequent location for metastatic illness, and reactive alterations that exhibit considerable atypia. These factors make morphology-only diagnosis of mesotheliomas hard. A combination of two "mesothelioma-associated" markers (e.g., calretinin, Wilms' tumour-1 (WT-1), cytokeratin 5/6) and two "(adeno)carcinoma-associated" markers (e.g., CEA, Ber-EP4, MOC-31) can typically be used to diagnose epithelioid mesotheliomas. Additional markers may be added based on the possibility of known, suspected, or occult malignancies. While most sarcomas are negative and most sarcomatoid mesotheliomas are positive for broad-spectrum cytokeratins, these other markers are far less sensitive and specific in sarcomatoid malignancies. It's also important to separate diffuse and localized mesotheliomas from adenomatoid tumors and well-differentiated papillary mesothelial tumors, which are both of mesothelial origin but exhibit significantly more passive behavior. Pleural effusion cytology, blind or image-guided needle core biopsies, open or VATS surgical biopsies, macroscopic complete resection (MCR), extended pleural decortication (EPD), and extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) samples are among the samples used to diagnose pleural mesothelioma. Though opinions on cytological diagnosis accuracy vary, most will require at least IHC on cell blocks to confirm mesothelial phenotype. Tissue biopsies that enable the determination of subpleural invasion and its magnitude are usually necessary. Recent research has revealed that mesotheliomas frequently exhibit loss of BAP1, which is more common in the epithelioid subtype, and/or loss of CDKN2A, which is relevant to the differential diagnosis of the epithelioid subtype versus mesothelial hyperplasia and sarcomatoid subtype versus reactive fibrous pleuritis (more common in sarcomatoid subtype). IHC can be used to detect BAP1 loss. While loss of methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) staining can serve as a surrogate (with 96% specificity but 78% sensitivity) in the event of CDKN2A loss, molecular analysis is necessary for MTAP loss. This is because MTAP is located at 9p21.3, extremely close to CDKN2A. However, it is advised that any labs utilizing these antibodies or molecular assays have testing procedures that have been verified. Since the science is still very young, molecular testing should not be used in isolation from other findings. [3]
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Figure 2. ICH profile is required to detect the primary origin of a pleuric lesions. Imaging (A-B) and thoracoscopic (C) view of a pleuric malignant lesions. Cytologic analysis on needle biopsy sample showed site of diffuse infiltration of poorly differentiated neoplasm (D), immunoreactive for vimentin 8 (E), and negative for TTF1, p40, calretinin, WT-1, D240, cytokeratin 5/6, vimentin, S100, BER-EP4, CEA, CD31, CD34, desmin, myogenin. In this case, IHC stain profile is not able to solve the tissue/lineage of origin of the lesion and differential diagnosis encompassed undifferentiated PM, small/dormant lung primary carcinoma, pleural localization of melanoma, of sarcoma, ectopic lung epithelial cells which undergo malignant transformation and pleural localization of epithelial cancer from unknown primary site of origin.
Figure 2. ICH profile is required to detect the primary origin of a pleuric lesions. Imaging (A-B) and thoracoscopic (C) view of a pleuric malignant lesions. Cytologic analysis on needle biopsy sample showed site of diffuse infiltration of poorly differentiated neoplasm (D), immunoreactive for vimentin 8 (E), and negative for TTF1, p40, calretinin, WT-1, D240, cytokeratin 5/6, vimentin, S100, BER-EP4, CEA, CD31, CD34, desmin, myogenin. In this case, IHC stain profile is not able to solve the tissue/lineage of origin of the lesion and differential diagnosis encompassed undifferentiated PM, small/dormant lung primary carcinoma, pleural localization of melanoma, of sarcoma, ectopic lung epithelial cells which undergo malignant transformation and pleural localization of epithelial cancer from unknown primary site of origin.
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The MPM staging system has undergone modifications with the release of the eighth version of the TNM classification. The most significant change to the T-component is the combination of stages T1a and T1b into a single category, T1. Thus, the difference between malignancies confined solely to the parietal pleura and tumors infiltrating both the parietal and visceral pleura is no longer valid. This was a result of the prognosis's lack of significance. [60] Since both intrapleural and extrapleural nodes are now included in category N1, the revised TNM now only has two N categories (N1 and N2). Moreover, N2 disease has replaced the earlier anatomical characteristics for N3 disease. The number of nodes involved appears to have a greater impact on survival than the precise anatomical locations of nodal illness. [61] It is well established that individuals with MPM who develop nodal metastases have far poorer survival rates than those who do not. [62] The node categorization was split into four primary groups under the former TNM staging system: N0, N1, N2, and N3. The numbers N0, N1, N2, and N3 denote the presence of nodal metastases to the ipsilateral bronchopulmonary, hilar, or internal mammary nodes, subcarinal, ipsilateral internal mammary, or mediastinal nodes, and all contralateral intrathoracic and supraclavicular nodes. On the other hand, a change was suggested about the anatomical positions of the lymph nodes and the classifications that correspond to them. The eighth edition of the staging system, which is new, groups intrapleural (prior N1) and extrapleural (previous N2) lymph nodes into one category (N1) and moves previous N3 nodes into N2 category. [63]

5. Treatment

5.1. The role of surgery and radiotherapy: an update

The next crucial phase is management, which comes once the diagnosis has been verified. Regretfully, there aren't many proven treatment options for MPM. However, in the early stages of the disease, patients with high performance status may be able to access multimodal therapeutic techniques, which include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery (trimodal approach). In certain cases, where a full macroscopic resection is anticipated, surgery may be recommended.[64,65], im E, Waller D, Lau K, et al. MARS 2: A multicentre randomised trial comparing (extended) pleurectomy decortication versus no radical surgery for mesothelioma. Presented at WCLC 2023. September 9-12, 2023. Abstract PL03.10. For the reasons listed below, surgical management of pleural mesothelioma is still debatable. Aggressive surgical therapies have not been shown to improve survival, and there are numerous unmet needs and divergent viewpoints in this regard. The T and N categories, the patient's performance status, and their cardiopulmonary reserve all play a role in the selection of patients for surgical treatments. EBUS, mediastinoscopy, and clinical staging techniques, however, have poor correlations with pathological staging. With the goal of curing, two procedures are carried out: pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) and extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP).
On the other hand, palliative procedures such as partial pleurectomy or VATS with pleurodesis are carried out to treat recurring pleural effusions or to reexpand a partially entrapped lung. The severity of the illness and the patient's physiological reserve, notably their ability to breathe on their own, have an impact on surgery and the kind of procedure that is done. The goal of both P/D and EPP is to accomplish a macroscopic full resection of every tumor. EPP entails removing the pleura and the lung beneath it, typically including the diaphragm and pericardium.
P/D entails total pleural excision without lung underneath. Known as an extended P/D, or EPD, this procedure includes pericardial and diaphragm excision as well. [66] Nonetheless, over the last ten years, a number of studies have demonstrated that OS following EPP is most likely lower than OS following P/D or EPD, and that the morbidity and mortality of EPP is higher (mortality ranging from 6% for EPP to 3% for P/D or EPD). [67] Only a very small subset of younger patients with an epithelioid mesothelioma histological subtype and no lymph node metastases may benefit from enhanced long-term OS with EPP, according to data from the IASLC database. [68]
The body of research supporting aggressive surgical resections, such EPP or EPD, primarily draws from single-institution series of highly chosen individuals with early-stage, low disease burden epithelioid histology mesothelioma. While patients who are expected to have longer survival times are selected based on baseline clinical characteristics, the median survival following a major debulking surgery is commonly reported as 14–18 months following P/D or EPP, which is essentially the same as among patients who do not undergo surgery. [69,70]
Furthermore, a big surgical resection, such an extended P/D or EPP, has a significant risk of mortality and morbidity that is frequently disregarded. [71] The majority of the literature reports up to 45 % of complications for the patients who do survive surgery. [71] For these reasons, a large number of thoracic surgeons prefer prolonged P/D over EPP when treating mesothelioma. In a center with the same surgeons and patient population, survival outcomes increased from 15.6 months to 19.6 months when the EPP practice was discontinued following the 2011 publication of the MARS trial. [72]
Multimodality therapy is often used for clinical stage I to III pleural mesothelioma. However, the optimal combination therapy remains debated. In this context also the sequential combination between surgery and chemotherapy deserves better investigations. Preliminary results for a case series of our group have shown short-term outcomes better with upfront extended pleurectomy/decortication (EDP) followed by adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) if compared to EDP preceded by neoadjuvant CT. [Falanga F, Rinaldi P, Primiceri C, Bortolotto C, Oneta O, Agustoni F, Morbini P, Saracino L, Eleftheriou D, Sottotetti F, Stella GM. Feasibility and safety of extended pleurectomy/decortication for malignant pleural mesothelioma. A single group experience. Thorac Cancer. 2022 Oct;13(19):2792-2798. doi: 10.1111/1759-7714.14627.] The role of radiotherapy is limited; it can be considered as palliative treatment in the case of mesothelioma-induced pain. Cho et al developed a protocol that starts with hemithoracic radiation to deliver an optimal dose of radiation to the tumor before surgical resection.[73]
Surgery for Mesothelioma After Radiation Therapy (SMART) entails administering an accelerated, hypofractionated hemithoracic regimen that delivers 25 grays (Gy) in 5 fractions along with a boost of 5 Gy to the gross disease after an induction dose of hemithoracic radiation is administered prior to surgery. The overall median survival for epithelioid mesothelioma patients treated with this SMART strategy was 36 months, which is encouraging. [74] As a component of multimodality therapy, immunotherapy may be introduced on the best possible platform thanks to the SMART method. Other methods have also been investigated in the multimodality context besides radiation. Tumor resection (P/D or EPP) plus intraoperative lavage with chemotherapeutic chemicals is the most commonly used combination.Different drugs such as cisplatin, doxorubicin, mitomycin C, and gemcitabine have been used for this procedure.[75]
Despite the identification of long-term survival, this treatment is still deemed experimental. Success with photodynamic treatment has been patchy. [76,77] Using this method, a photosensitizing drug is first administered to the thoracic cavity, and then laser light is applied, causing a cell death that penetrates the postsurgical tumor bed up to a few millimeters. An alternative strategy that involves using a gel containing cisplatin following resection is presently undergoing evaluation. Due to the severity of their condition, age, comorbidities, or low performance status, the majority of patients are not recommended for surgery and are instead given consideration for palliative chemotherapy.
With US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2004, the gold standard of medical treatment for mesothelioma has been the combination of cisplatin and pemetrexed.[78] This cytotoxic regimen is routinely used as a part of the trimodality therapy, either befor or after surgery. A recent clinical trial demonstrated that the addition of bevacizumab improves survival over the use of the platinum-doublet alone although this regimen has not been approved by the FDA to date. [79] However, even with aggressive trimodality or bimodality therapy, the median survival for resectable pleural mesothelioma remains at 17 to 25 months and, for unresectable mesothelioma, it is 9 to 12 months.[80]

5.2. Targeting PM immune landascape: current strategies

Using RNA sequencing, Bueno et al. found four distinct molecular expression phenotypic groups in 212 mesothelioma patients, each with varying associated characteristics related to survival and mutation. A lower chance of survival was linked to the expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), which was present in 39% of patients. There was an increase in PD-L1 expression in nonepithelial mesotheliomas. [81] Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitors were not able to increase mesothelioma patients' survival in clinical trials. [82]
Trials after this one revealed that PD-L1 inhibitors might help certain patients. [83] There are currently several mesothelioma checkpoint inhibitor trials underway. These include antibody-drug conjugates, chemotherapy, and PD-L1 inhibitor combos with CTLA-4 inhibitors. The DREAM study, which examined the addition of the PD-L1 inhibitor durvalumab to standard-of-care chemotherapy (cisplatin and pemetrexed, up to 6 cycles), examined the use of durvalumab in the first-line metastatic context. Maintenance durvalumab was administered every three weeks. [84] With a median progression-free survival of 6.9 months, the primary goal of progression-free survival was 57% at 6 months. The response time was 6.5 months on average.
It was deemed acceptable to tolerate the extra toxicity, which included three patients who required corticosteroid therapy due to grade 3 autoimmune toxicity. Furthermore, the 2018-started CheckMate743 study (A Phase III, Randomized, Open Label Trial of Nivolumab in Combination With Ipilimumab Versus Pemetrexed With Cisplatin or Carboplatin as First Line Therapy in Unresectable Pleural Mesothelioma; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02899299) examined the potential advantages of combination immunotherapy (nivolumab plus ipilimumab) over conventional chemotherapy.
The study was positive, showing a survival benefit for the immunotherapy arm. The larger benefit emerged for the sarcomatoid mesothelioma histotype. As a consequence of this study, first-line nivolumab plus ipilimumab has been granted FDA approval for the treatment of advanced mesothelioma.[85] In second line, the trial CONFIRM documented a survival benefit with nivolumab in comparison with placebo. [86]Reported toxicities across trials are comparable to the use of immunotherapy in other tumors and can be managed with the standard of care.[82,83]In general, it is estimated that from 20% to 25% of patients with mesothelioma may benefit from checkpoint inhibitors.[87,88] A priority is the identification of biomarkers that predict benefit or harm from immune checkpoint inhibitors.
The phase III DREAM3R trial is presently looking at it after combined chemotherapy with durvalumab as a first-line treatment showed encouraging results. In addition, the phase III BEAT-MESO trial is still in progress, comparing bevacizumab to conventional chemotherapy with or without atezolizumab. [89,90] An further tactic to combat immunological suppression in mesothelioma takes into account dendritic cells' capacity to stimulate T-cells. When presented to T-cells, tumor antigens can be recognized by dendritic cells.
Dendritic cell vaccine therapy has been used in a number of phase I/II trials. These distinct phase I/II trials' long-term follow-up revealed a positive signal, with a 2-year OS of >50% and a 5-year OS of >20 percent. The current randomised phase III DENIM trial is a result of these studies; the accrual has been finished and the results are pending. [91,92] The enzyme pegargiminase (ADI-PEG 20) breaks down arginine, an amino acid that is essential to mesothelioma cells. This medication is being studied in combination to first-line chemotherapy in the ATOMIC phase II/III trial, in comparison to a placebo. [93]

5.3. Cell therapy approaches

5.3.1. CAR T-cell therapy

An alternate strategy to deal with the problem of inactivated T-cells is CAR T-cell therapy. This approach involves administering genetically modified T-cells against a particular tumour-associated antigen, like mesothelin. Numerous phase I studies have looked into this tactic, mostly in combo therapies like immune checkpoint inhibitors. [94,95] Immunotherapies using CAR-T cells are a major development in the treatment of blood cancers, and great efforts are being made to successfully apply them in the battle against solid tumors. Tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) selection is important. Solid tumors frequently lack distinct TAA expression, and while MHC antigen recognition does not restrict CAR-T cell activity, TAA expression on the tumor cell surface is still necessary for CAR-T cell activity. Therefore, the ideal choice for a therapeutic target is to choose a TAA that is overexpressed by tumor cells while maintaining as much physiological expression as feasible. Such a possible antigen is mesothelin (MSLN), which is normally expressed largely on the mesothelial surfaces of the pleura, peritoneum, pericardium, and the tunica vaginalis (in males), but is markedly overexpressed in a wide variety of solid tumors. Numerous preclinical models and clinical trials have assessed anti-MSLN CAR-T cells. Other tumor-killing strategies, such as antibody-based medications and anti-cancer vaccinations that target MSLN, have also been developed and evaluated, both in experimental and clinical settings, in addition to anti-MSLN CAR-T cells. Fewer clinical trials are now being conducted for anti-MSLN vaccinations due to their mild and generally less beneficial effects in the clinic when compared to CAR-T cells and anti-MSLN antibody-based therapies. The fact that CAR-T cells are extremely sensitive "living pharmaceuticals," combining the antigen specificity of a monoclonal antibody with their innate effector activities, gives them an advantage over other forms of anti-MSLN immunotherapies. In addition to their innate ability to grow and extend their longevity upon target interception, CAR-T cells can move and infiltrate toward the tumor tissues. They can also secrete pro-inflammatory substances that draw in and activate other immune cells within the tumor microenvironment. In order to improve their safety profile, if necessary, anti-MSLN CAR-T cell engineering with suicide genes like iCasp9 could mitigate the negative effects of excessive CAR-T cell activation, such as CRS. Furthermore, "on-target/off-tumor effects" against nonpathogenic tissues should be more frequently expected after CAR-T cell treatment, as CAR-T cells generally have a higher sensitivity for low antigen expression levels than monoclonal antibodies. Protecting against harm to healthy tissue may be possible through the use of inhibitory CARs or anti-MSLN CAR-T cells that carry a suicide gene. [96] Anti-MSLN CAR-T cells can outlive anti-MSLN antibody-based medications in terms of half-lives; nevertheless, CAR-T cells directed against solid tumors experience "exhaustion" prior to reaching the maximum extent of their anti-tumor activities. Immune checkpoint inhibition strategies may therefore enhance anti-MSLN CAR-T cell performance and represent a substantial breakthrough in the development of more effective CAR-T cell engineering. Using humanized or fully human anti-MSLN scFv is another potential tactic that may improve the survival of CAR-T cells and lessen the possibility of immunogenic reactions. Comparably, medications based on humanized or fully human anti-MSLN antibodies, as amatuximab and anetumab ravtansine, have better safety profiles, a longer half-life, and a lower immunogenicity. [97–100] Numerous Phase I/II clinical trials using amatuximab (and anetumab rav-tansine) to treat patients with solid tumors expressing MSLN have either concluded or are ongoing.
On the other hand, it has been demonstrated that antibody-based medications like SS1P, which has a murine anti-MSLN moiety, are extremely immunogenic and cause patients to produce neutralizing antibodies against it. [100] As a result, LMB-100/RG7787, a less immunogenic bacterial exotoxin, and a humanized anti-MLSN antibody have proven to be a more effective immunotoxin than SS1P. [100,101] Anti-MSLN antibody-based medications and CAR-T cells have had a difficult time efficiently entering solid tumor locations. Intravenous delivery of antibodies and CAR-T cells is still widespread, and frequently results in both inadequate anti-tumor effectiveness and toxicity that is "on-target/off-tumor."
Therefore, a regional or intratumoral strategy may improve the efficacy of both treatments and lower the possibility of targeted antigen being recognized outside of the tumor. Intravenous infusion of anti-MSLN CAR-T cells designed to express tumor homing chemokines or chemokine receptors may be preferable to intravenously administered anti-MSLN antibody-based medications in situations where localized administration may not be practical or effective or in cases where a metastasis results in multiple tumor niches. In order to attain the best outcomes, it may be crucial to combine anti-MSLN immunotherapies (CAR-T cells, antibody-based medications, and vaccines) with chemotherapeutic and lymphodepleting treatments. [96]
A combination of techniques, including the use of fully human scFv, blockade of inhibitory checkpoint molecules, expression of suicide genes, inflammatory cytokine secretion, expression of tumor homing cytokines and cytokine receptors, and dual CARs—able to overcome the challenges of the tumor microenvironment while maintaining high safety profiles—will probably prove necessary for successfully treating solid tumors, particularly with regard to anti-MSLN CAR-T cells. [96]

5.3.2. STING

Immunological weariness and immune exclusion are two obstacles to the immunotherapy response that can be addressed by activating innate antitumor immunity, which includes the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway. Research on mice has investigated the intricate relationship between STING signaling and the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), revealing new modes of action such as NK cells and contrasting the significance of STING activation in tumor cells with immune cells. [102–104] Treating tissue fragment explants and patient-derived organotypic tumor spheroids (PDOTS) in short-term culture facilitates the development of immunological treatments, thanks to advancements in the study of the human TIME using patient samples. [105,106]
These platforms can track patient response and have been primarily utilized to study anti-PD(L)-1 immune checkpoint drugs, but they also hold potential for the development of new cancer immunotherapies. Recent research has revealed that a number of human cancer types suppress STING and the downstream interferon response in order to evade immune identification, highlighting the critical role tumor-cell STING signaling plays in human cancer. [107,108] However, the effects of STING agonists on tumor cells and other cell types in the human TIME have not been thoroughly studied. This knowledge could guide the creation of innovative treatment combinations, such as cell therapy.
It might be incredibly helpful to perform a large-scale study utilizing PDOTS and establishing methodology to analyze the STING agonist response in an inflammatory histotype and perform dynamic single-cell RNA sequencing in tumor explants. [109] Erik H. Knelson et al 2022's study found that increased tumor-cell STING expression in MPM makes patients more susceptible to therapeutic STING agonism, particularly in combination with NK-cell therapy. [109] The quick clearance of injectable drugs and their short therapeutic window constrain clinical development of STING agonists. [110]
The current data available suggests that continuous exposure is likely to kill endogenous effector T cells and also restrict combinations with adoptively transferred transgenic TCR T or CAR T-cell therapies, even though novel slow-release and systemic formulations of STING agonists could address some of these problems. [111] Knelson's study revealed that NK cells are activated and recruited to kill MPM cells in spite of their resistance to continuous high-dose STING agonist exposure. This finding supports the novel immunobiology and offers a combinatorial strategy for the development of NK-cell therapies in clinical settings. [109]
As an alternative, adoptive T-cell treatments could be modified to thwart the cytotoxicity of STING agonists by reestablishing efficient autophagy or blocking the STING pathway. Studying innate/adaptive immune crosstalk and how activating one channel affects the larger TIME using tumor samples from patients may help determine the best ways to advance developing cell treatments and prevent immune depletion.

6. Novel insights

6.1. Targeting PM proteomic profile

It is critical to determine the molecular processes that initiate and drive the growth of this tumor in order to create novel therapeutic approaches. A meta-analysis on the genes and pathways connected to the development of pleural mesothelioma was released in June 2023. In order to obtain insight into the molecular mechanisms underpinning these genes, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) as well as protein–protein interaction networks (PPINs) and functional enrichment analysis were found.
Additionally, the authors forecasted the minimal medication inhibitory concentration of an anticancer agent for MPM and built survival prediction models for certain DEGs. A total of 26 pleural tissue controls and 115 MPM tumor transcriptomes were examined. 1046 DEGs that were increased were found in the MPM samples. Tumor sample cellular signaling categories were linked to the AMPK, PI3KAkt, and TNF pathways. Biological processes that were overrepresented included the regulation of angiogenesis, the migration of cells, and the inflammatory response. Reduced survival rates were linked to SOX17 and TACC1 expression.
The development of this kind of tumor is closely correlated with the cellular reaction to chemical carcinogens, primarily asbestos. Alterations in microsomal glutathione transferase 2 (MGST2) may result in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and leukotriene C4, a mediator of inflammation. [112] This study demonstrated that the MGST2 gene was elevated in MPM tumors. Even though the majority of the pathways found in this meta-analysis—like MAPK, NK-kB, pi3k, Akt, and TNF—are also relevant to other types of cancer, the analysis opens up new research directions for PM.
For instance, research on LPL's role in sustaining the tumor's supply of fatty nutrients has been done on lung cancer, but not on PM. [113] Remarkably, this aligns with more recent data indicating a lipid metabolic reprogramming in the course of mesothelioma. [114] Interestingly, one obvious characteristic of aggressive tumors is the amplification of lipid droplets. Lipophilic anticancer treatments include targeting lipoid microenvironment compartments or lipid metabolism. [115]
The authors also highlighted licensed medications used in other neoplasms and disorders that could be suggested as treatment options for MPM based on the top elevated DEGs from the meta-analysis. The expression of SOX17, one of the most highly expressed genes in MPM tumors, was linked to a lower survival rate in MPM patients. The scientists looked at the connection between SOX17 expression and the tumors' susceptibility to anticancer medications. Significantly, their research revealed that in MPM patients, the SOX17 expression level may influence medication susceptibility.
Particularly, CMK, Docetaxel, and Rapamycin demonstrated differential IC50 sensitivity in the SOX17 high-expression group compared to Erlotinib, Lapatinib, and Mitomycin C in the SOX17 low-expression group. These results imply that in PM patients, the SOX17 expression level may function as a predictive biomarker for medication sensitivity. In tumor development and repression, SOX17 has conflicting roles. On the one hand, SOX17 is a transcription factor that is essential for the development of endoderm during embryogenesis.
Dysregulation of SOX17 is a major component in the development and progression of numerous types of cancer, including endometrial, esophageal, and breast. A low expression of SOX17 in certain cancer types has been linked to a bad prognosis for the patient. However, by upregulating VEGFR2 and improving the recruitment of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, which promotes vascular remodelling and reduces the production of IFN-γ and Th2 cytokines, SOX17 may potentially boost tumor angiogenesis and blood vessel instability. [116]
Furthermore, endometrial cancers with hyperbranched and hyperdense vascular tumors expressed more SOX17; SOX17 deletion suppressed angiogenesis in tumors and restored normalcy to tumor vasculature. Conversely, patients with primary gastric cancer have a worse chance of surviving when their TACC1 expression is elevated. Through microtubule stability in the developing spindle, the TACC1 protein is involved in the regulation of mitotic checkpoints. TACC1 has the ability to transform fibroblasts and, as evidenced by current research, positively regulates the Ras and PI3K signaling pathways to promote transformation and mammary carcinogenesis. The progression of non-small cell lung cancer is halted by the microRNA miR-4742-5p, which inhibits TACC1 expression. [117]

6.2. Exploiting PM OMIC profile

The resolution of PM heterogeneity was significantly increased by omics profiling, indicating that this disease cannot be precisely classified into distinct entities but rather should be viewed as a continuum between the two extreme morphological forms. For the first time, a morphology guided spatial transcriptomic approach was applied to a particular series of B-MPMs in a work published in 2023 by Torricelli et al. This approach allowed for the collection of gene expression data in a spatial context, which in turn allowed for the provision of additional details regarding the process of MPM progression. [118] The information gathered painted a picture of a complex ecosystem in which immune cells and MPM interact to change the local microenvironment and promote development.
From the very beginning of cellular transdifferentiation, the S morphology is characterized by a robust inflammatory milieu. In the transitional zones, it was found that the S components were linked to elevated inflammatory cytokine expression and significant inflammatory cell recruitment. These signals encourage the activation of both innate and adaptive immunity, which in turn directs many effector cells—particularly CD8+T-cells—to target the tumor locations. Yet, as indicated by the elevated expression levels of immunological checkpoints such as the T-cell receptor HAVCR2 and its particular ligand LGASL9, these S-associated immune cells are driven to fatigue by the ongoing activation by tumor antigens and the endurance of the inflammatory stimuli.
PM cells experience a significant structural rearrangement that is driven by transcription. E-PM cells lose their epithelial characteristics, profoundly altering their capacity to interact with their surroundings, driven by the production of TFs linked to EMT. Remodeling factors and proteins that interact with the matrix take the place of cell-to-cell adhesion structures. ECM is an essential component of the ecosystem around cancer, and its dynamic alterations play a significant role in the aetiology and development of the illness. [119] ECM's stiffness and adhesive cues provide mechanical signals to cancer cells, which are mainly transduced by cytoskeleton-anchored proteins. These signals influence gene expression by supporting programs that help cells adapt to external stimuli by changing cell architecture, fostering motility, and overcoming mechanically-induced stresses. [120]
Aberrant Oxidative stress is one of the several stress stimuli that cause ECM remodeling. The inhalation of asbestos fibers results in the formation of free radicals and the ongoing release of reactive species. These extremely dynamic components have the potential to induce significant molecular instability and work together to change ECM as MPM advances. [121] According to recent findings, extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a significant immune-modulatory role in cancer by forming niches that regulate the migration, localization, phenotype, and function of immune cells that infiltrate tumors. This, in turn, helps the immune system evade detection and treatment. [122]
Furthermore, a recent study on pancreatic cancer has demonstrated that the transcriptional program associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) is correlated with TGFB signaling and may be connected with immune evasion or adaptability. [123] Torricelli et al. used gene expression data from their internal cohort of MPMs to show that TGFB1 is a sign of clinical aggressiveness in PM and is linked to a worse chance of survival. This may have significant effects on how patients are managed. The authors also discovered that the main targets of TGFB1 in MPM are TAMs, or tumor associated macrophages. In addition to causing inflammation and tissue remodeling, M2-TAMs have been shown to induce T-cell inhibitory immunological checkpoints by establishing an immunosuppressive milieu. [124]
This data shows that M2-TAMs are predominant in the immunological milieu of B-MPM and that there is a strong association between M2-TAM markers and immune checkpoints that are specific to T cells. The role of M2-TAM in MPMs is being brought to light by a number of recent studies that employ radically different methodologies. For example, Ollila et al. used multiplexed fluorescence immunohistochemistry to find that M2-TAMs are independently linked to a shorter survival in a retrospective cohort of E-MPMs. [125] Using a thorough genomic immune profiling, Creaney et al. demonstrated that the PM immunological milieu had elevated amounts of M2-TAMs linked to the expression of TGFB1 and metalloproteinases (MMP2 and MMP14). [126]
Macrophages from MPM patients' pleural effusions inhibit the antitumor T cell immunological response, as demonstrated by Lievense et al. [127] On the other hand, using a CSF-1R kinase inhibitor to pharmacologically deplete M2-TAM improves the efficiency of dendritic cell vaccine treatment for priming anticancer immunity. [128] These findings highlight this population's contribution to PM and draw attention to the possibility of targeting macrophages. Naturally, there are a few significant restrictions; first and foremost, this is a descriptive transcriptome study that only looks at gene transcripts. That being said, this is the first paper to investigate B-PM using a spatial transcriptome approach.
Within this framework, the work described provides fresh, pertinent viewpoints: it establishes for the first time the functional significance of the immune system and the inflammatory milieu in the mechanisms driving PM evolution; it also uncovers new information regarding the topography of the lesion and the communication circuits between immune cells and tumors, thereby offering new candidates to test as predictive biomarkers of ICI response. Furthermore, it suggests that M2-TAM polarization plays a crucial role in the development of immune evasion signals, identifying fresh possible targets. [129]

6.3. Genomic basis of novel trials

Since chromosomal losses and changes are common while activating mutations are uncommon in PM, the question of alternate treatments to the present standards remains unresolved. Specifically, a significant proportion (5–10%) of PM patients with germline mutations in the DDR genes pathway have demonstrated a pertinent sensitivity to asbestos, while BRCA1/2 or other genes implicated in the HRR route have been found to be mutated in a large number of PM patients. [130] Furthermore, somatic inactivating mutations in the BRCA-1 related gene (BAP1) were found in over 20% of PM, and these mutations appear to be crucial in the pathophysiology of tumors. [131]
These theories have given rise to the notion that cells expressing mutant BAP1 would need the PARP-1 enzyme to survive, which has prompted the start of multiple preclinical investigations examining the possible effectiveness of PARPi in this situation. [132] Interestingly, two distinct preclinical studies have demonstrated that both niraparib and olaparib have potential efficacy against PM cells, regardless of the presence of BAP1 mutations, largely eliminating the possible link between the BAP1 gene and PARP enzyme specific inhibition. [133,134] The effectiveness and tolerability of PARPi in MPM have been assessed in numerous trials; nevertheless, the PFS and OS results were largely negative.
One of the ongoing clinical trials is UNITO-001, a prospective phase 2 single arm research that assesses the efficacy of dostarlimab and niraparib in metastatic mesotheliomas that have both PD-L1 positive (TPS>1 percent) and HRR insufficiency. PFS is the main outcome, and overall survival, objective response, response duration, and safety are the secondary outcomes. [135] Patients with advanced malignant pleural (cohort A) or peritoneal (cohorts B1 and B2) mesotheliomas that show no signs of disease progression following four to six cycles of platinum-based treatment are included in the open-label phase II TALAMESO study (NCT04462809) (including a minimum one cycle of pemetrexed).
PFS, toxicity, and safety evaluation are the secondary goals. The key endpoint is the non-progression proportion, which is the percentage of patients free of progression six months after talazoparib initiation. The MiST trial is a Phase II, single arm research designed to evaluate rucaparib's effectiveness in patients with MPM who have a BAP1 or BRCA mutation. DCR is the main goal, whereas ORR, toxicity, and safety evaluation are the secondary endpoints. [136] Furthermore, mesothelioma with homologous recombination defect linked to a BRCA1 mutation has given rise to new PARPi research. In many solid tumors, PARPi are a concrete fact. Several trials are investigating their possible use in conditions including thoracic malignancies, where they may be an unique treatment alternative.
These medications do, however, still have a number of significant drawbacks, such as resistance mechanisms and unanticipated side effects. Additionally, more research is needed to completely establish these medications' efficacy as single agents in the setting of thoracic malignancies. Given the data at hand, there is increasing interest in investigating the possible synergistic effect and, as a result, combining the administration of PARPi and PARGi with other treatments such radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy. New approaches, like NGS tumor profiling, may prove useful in identifying trustworthy predictors that direct patient selection in clinical settings. Furthermore, off-site toxicity or drug resistance may be lessened in the next years due to the recent development of nanomedicine, creating new and intriguing opportunities for PARPi and PARGi in clinical practice. [137]

6.4. Interfering with cell invasive properties

It has been demonstrated in other current and encouraging research that YB-1, or Y-box-binding protein 1, stimulates cell migration and proliferation in MPM. Schlech (2023) assessed the impact of YB-1's genetic and pharmacological targeting on MPM proliferation and responsiveness to radiation and cisplatin treatment. Reduced cell proliferation following YB-1 knockdown via siRNA was found to be substantially linked with the wt BAP1 and mutant NF2 and P53 status. In 20 PM cell lines, YB-1 knockdown-induced growth inhibition was associated with the effectiveness of entinostat in inhibiting YB-1 deacetylation. Both entinostat and siRNA have been shown to decrease tumor growth in animal xenotransplant models. Moreover, entinostat and YBX1-targeting siRNA increased radiation and cisplatin sensitivity.
Specifically, in all examined cell models, entinostat demonstrated robust synergistic interactions with cisplatin, which were associated with a markedly enhanced cellular absorption of platinum. Crucially, cisplatin with entinostat together produced a greater growth suppression in a mouse model than did either medication alone. In PM, YB-1 may be a desirable target, and using an entinostat to target YB-1 is a viable strategy to increase radiation and cisplatin sensitivity. [132] However, direct targeting of YB-1 in clinical contexts is difficult since it lacks a kinase domain and other enzymatic activities.
Preclinical research has shown that RNA-mediated silencing of YB-1 is simple, and clinical studies have shown that RNA-based therapies can be delivered to treat a variety of cancers, including MPM. [138] In trials for non-small-cell lung cancer, entinostat has also been used in conjunction with a number of other medications, such as the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib and the DNA methylation inhibitor azacitidine. [139,140] It was discovered that entinostat, a class I HDAC inhibitor, increased histone acetylation and p21 and PTEN expression, two tumor suppressor genes. [141] More recently, it was found that entinostat might raise YB-1 acetylation in sarcoma cells, where more YB-1 acetylation, particularly of lysine 81 (K81), significantly prevented metastasis. [142]
Schlech verified that entinostat IC50 values coincide with YB-1 siRNA's growth inhibitory activity, indicating that YB-1 targeting significantly contributes to entinostat's overall effectiveness in PM. However, YB-1-independent mechanisms, such the previously reported upregulation of PTEN and p21 expression, may also play a role in the antineoplastic impact against PM cells. [132] This article reported for the first time that YB-1 hyperacetylation may play a role in entinostat's efficacy in cancer types other than sarcoma and PM; future studies employing this chemical should take this possibility into account.
According to recent evidence, entinostat may improve the effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in models of bladder and breast cancer via influencing the tumor microenvironment or immune-editing tumor neoantigens. [143,144] Although it hasn't been proven, YB-1 may have a role in entinostat's ability to enhance ICI effects. This could lead to intriguing new treatments for PM patients. YB-1 knockdown and entinostat treatment demonstrated additive to synergistic benefits when paired with cisplatin or radiation therapy. Overall, Schelch's research indicates that YB-1 may be a worthwhile target for MPM. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that using entinostat to target YB-1 pharmacologically is viable and has the potential to interact synergistically with radiation or cisplatin, which justifies future investigation of the drug as a component of therapy regimens. [132]

7. Conclusions

Biomolecular heterogeneity is a key feature of PM, which doesn’t display key genetic drivers. This characteristic has impaired the development of personalized approaches against PM. However, the development of high-throughput technologies and OMIC platforms has allowed the rapidly increasing number of biologic and genomic data exploitable in the clinical arena. Integration of more fields of expertise has proven to be fundamental in every step concerning this disease, providing prompt and comprehensive evaluation of at-risk subjects, and the most appropriate choice of treatment. It is thus clearly suggested that PM patients should be referred to specialized centers and be evaluated by interdisciplinary teams to assess the most optimal strategy in a patient’s tailored manner.

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Preprints 89746 g001
Figure 1. Diagnosis of PM. It should always be based on the results obtained from an adequate biopsy (less commonly, an exfoliative or fine-needle aspiration cytology evaluation) in the context of appropriate clinical, radiologic, and surgical findings. Effusion cytology for MPM definitive diagnosis remains controversial and biopsy is recommended especially for histological subtyping. VATS allows exploration of entire pleural surface and enables targeted biopsies, providing material samples for both histological examination and immunohistochemical analysis. A history of asbestos exposure should not be taken into consideration by the pathologist when confirming or excluding PM. .[3,49,58,59].
Figure 1. Diagnosis of PM. It should always be based on the results obtained from an adequate biopsy (less commonly, an exfoliative or fine-needle aspiration cytology evaluation) in the context of appropriate clinical, radiologic, and surgical findings. Effusion cytology for MPM definitive diagnosis remains controversial and biopsy is recommended especially for histological subtyping. VATS allows exploration of entire pleural surface and enables targeted biopsies, providing material samples for both histological examination and immunohistochemical analysis. A history of asbestos exposure should not be taken into consideration by the pathologist when confirming or excluding PM. .[3,49,58,59].
Preprints 89746 g001
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Copyright: This open access article is published under a Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 license, which permit the free download, distribution, and reuse, provided that the author and preprint are cited in any reuse.
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