FBLN-3 as a biomarker of pleural plaques in workers occupationally exposed to carcinogenic fibers: a pilot study. (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rapisarda, Venerando; Ledda, Caterina; Migliore, Marcello; Salemi, Rossella; Musumeci, Andrea; Bracci, Massimo; Marconi, Andrea; Loreto, Carla; Libra, Massimo
• Is Part Of: Future oncology. Volume 11(2015)Supplement 24
• Page Start: 35
• Page End: 37
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: Biancavilla -- environmental -- FBLN-3 -- fibers -- fluoro-edenite -- malignant mesothelioma -- Mt Etna -- occupational exposure -- pleural plaques; Oncology -- Periodicals; 616.99405
• DOI: 10.2217/fon.15.271
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1479-6694

Abstract

FBLN-3 has recently been proposed as a biomarker for malignant mesothelioma. A significantly increased standardized mortality rate from malignant mesothelioma has been reported in Biancavilla, Italy. Its cause has been identified in environmental exposure to fluoro-edenite. The aim of this study was to seek a correlation between plasma FBLN-3 concentration and pleural plaques in subjects exposed to fluoro-edenite and in a nonexposed control group. Pleural plaques was never detected in the control group, whereas it was found in 52% of exposed subjects. Median FBLN-3 concentrations were 12.96 and 5.29 ng/ml in the exposed and the control group, respectively (p < 0.001). FBLN-3 plasma levels exhibited a high predictive value for the presence of pleural plaques.