Serum Mesothelin-related protein (SRMP) and Osteopontin have been identified as promising new serum markers to identify and follow response to therapy in patients with malignant mesothelioma. Studies demonstrated that SRMP has value as both a surveillance and prognostic marker for malignant mesothelioma. Mesomark a serum test for SRMP was released in late 2004 by Fujjirebio Diagnostics. It has been approved to follow response to therapy and track changes in disease status in patients with malignant mesothelioma. Studies are underway to validate it’s utility in diagnosing mesothelioma in its earliest stages in high risk individuals.
SMRP was the subject of a Meso Foundation grant to investigate its validity in a study of the residents of Libby Montana. (See Meso Foundation press release and press release about European distribution of the test.).
Osteopontin and Asbestos Exposure
Osteopontin is a glycoprotein that is overexpressed in several cancers. In mesothelioma osteopontin are unregulated in asbestos exposed individuals with mesothelioma. Osteopontin might help to distinguish benign pleural changes resulting from asbestos exposure as opposed to malignant transformation in asbestos exposed individuals. It has been reported that osteopontin can also predict survival and recurrence patterns. Osteopontin remains under intense investigation to ascertain where it can best be utilized as seen in the clinical setting.
Please refer to abstract below for additional information:
Asbestos exposure, pleural mesothelioma, and serum osteopontin levels.
If you have a specific question or are looking for personalized information in regards to your mesothelioma diagnosis, contact the oncology nurse from the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, and receive access to detailed resources and critical diagnosis information.
