A study recently published in The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics found Rosetta Genomic’s miRview Meso test to be effective at differentiating malignant mesothelioma from other cancers of the lung and pleura.
Malignant mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure. The cancer is known for its aggressive nature and is difficult to treat largely due to the latency period of mesothelioma symptoms, which can range between 20 and 50 years after exposure. The latency of symptoms allows the cancer to develop unnoticed and this complicates the effectiveness of treatments. As a result, the average mesothelioma life expectancy for patients upon diagnosis is four to 18 months.
“Differentiating MPM from primary and metastatic carcinoma in the lung and pleura can be challenging for pathologists, even with the use of immunohistochemistry,” explains Tina Edmonston, M.D., Medical Director and Head of Clinical Laboratory at Rosetta Genomics. “There is no single immunohistochemical marker that distinguishes between MPM [malignant pleural mesothelioma] and various carcinomas that may be in the differential diagnosis. Moreover, the choice of markers, as well as interpretation of the results in equivocal cases can be subjective.”
MicroRNAs act as master regulators of protein synthesis and have been shown to be highly effective biomarkers in some cases. This study used 68 lung and pleura samples to test the accuracy of miRview Meso. Researchers performed a clinical validation of the test and reported a sensitivity of 100 percent and a specificity of 94 percent.
Kenneth A. Berlin, President and CEO of Rosetta Genomics, said, “Even though asbestos is no longer used today, there are many workers who are exposed to asbestos, such as demolition and construction workers, first responders, auto mechanics, shipyard workers, plumbers and others. Consequently, whenever a mass in the lung is presented in a member of this group, the physician usually needs to rule out MPM. There are an estimated 60,000 such cases in the U.S. and an additional 300,000 such cases outside the U.S. This study shows that our miRview meso test can distinguish MPM from carcinomas in the lung and pleura objectively and with a very high level of accuracy.”
Philadelphia-based Rosetta Genomics, established in 2000, is well known for its minimally-invasive diagnostic tests. The miRview Meso test is widely available and most oncologists who treatment mesothelioma will likely be familiar with this diagnostic procedure. For oncologists who are not, further information is available from Rosetta Genomics and doctors can order collection kits, sample preparation instructions, and shipping instructions from the company.
Additional information on mesothelioma and the diagnostic process may be found through the mesothelioma Center.