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Review
. 2020 Nov;30(4):383-393.
doi: 10.1016/j.thorsurg.2020.08.005. Epub 2020 Sep 12.

The Molecular Basis of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Benjamin Wadowski  1 , Assunta De Rienzo  1 , Raphael Bueno  2
Affiliations
Review

The Molecular Basis of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Benjamin Wadowski et al. Thorac Surg Clin. 2020 Nov.

Abstract

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare, aggressive malignancy of the pleural lining associated with asbestos exposure in greater than 80% of cases. It is characterized by molecular heterogeneity both between patients and within individual tumors. Next-generation sequencing technology and novel computational techniques have resulted in a greater understanding of the epigenetic, genetic, and transcriptomic hallmarks of MPM. This article reviews these features and discusses the implications of advances in MPM molecular biology in clinical practice.

Keywords: Epigenetic; Gene expression; Genetic; Mesothelioma; Molecular.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure The authors disclose no potential conflicts of interest. Dr. Bueno reports research grants and clinical trials support from MedGenome, Roche, Verastem, Genentech, Merck, Gritstone, Epizyme, Siemens, NIH, and DOD. In addition, Dr. Bueno has 4 patents through the BWH (no royalties to date) and Equity in a new start-up company, Navigation Sciences.

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