Biomarkers to Detect Mesothelioma Early in Patients Exposed to Asbestos or Vermiculite

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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RATIONALE: Studying samples of body fluid and blood from patients who have been exposed to asbestos or vermiculite in the laboratory may help doctors learn more about changes that may occur in DNA and identify biomarkers related to cancer. PURPOSE: This laboratory study is looking for biomarkers to detect mesothelioma early in patients exposed to asbestos or vermiculite.

Detailed Description
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OBJECTIVES: Identify patients with known asbestos exposure at early stages of disease development (i.e., indolent premalignant pleural plaques and fibrosis vs malignant pleural mesothelioma). Determine the expression levels of tumor-associated proteins in these patients. Analyze samples of serum and pleural effusions obtained from these patients. Determine the proteomic profile of samples obtained from these patients. Determine the molecular mechanisms associated with the regulation of the extracellular matrix microenvironment proteins (e.g., osteonectin, intelectin, or matrix metalloproteins) involved in disease onset and progression. OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study. Patients undergo collection of body cavity fluid, including pleural effusion, and blood. Specimens, including fresh frozen malignant pleural mesothelioma tumor tissue, if available, are analyzed for proteomic profile, gene expression profile, and tumor-associated protein expression levels. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 200 patients will be accrued for this study.

Official Title
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Early Detection Biomarkers for Mesothelioma Among Asbestos and Vermiculite Exposed Populations

Conditions
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Malignant Mesothelioma, Pulmonary Complications

Intervention / Treatment
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* Genetic: microarray analysis
* Genetic: protein expression analysis
* Genetic: proteomic profiling
* Other: laboratory biomarker analysis


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Exposure to vermiculite or asbestos insulation Symptomatic or nonsymptomatic exposure-related disease Seen at a clinic in Libby, Montana (CARD Clinic) or Michigan (COEM) PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Not specified PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Not specified

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 25 Years
Maximum Age: 80 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Genetic: microarray analysis|nan|
|Genetic: protein expression analysis|nan|
|Genetic: proteomic profiling|nan|
|Other: laboratory biomarker analysis|nan|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Identification of potential drug targets for therapeutic strategies to treat asbestos fiber-related diseases |  | At time of analysis | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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malignant mesothelioma, pulmonary complications