According to researchers performing a study in Fano, Italy, evidence shows asbestos exposure may be associated with causing DNA breaks, abnormal chromosome segregation and chromosomal rearrangements, which are all considered to be changes that lead towards the development of malignant mesothelioma.
Asbestos exposure is the primary cause of malignant mesothelioma, a rare cancer most commonly affecting the lining of the lungs. While exposure to asbestos may not cause immediate health changes, long-term side effects of this toxic substance can be life-threatening.
Through the study, researchers from the University of Urbino found that cellular transformation in malignant pleural mesothelioma may also be caused by genomic instability and DNA methylation, which is the suppression of gene expression.
The researchers also found an increased expression of DNMT1, which is the most expressed DNA methyltransferases in malignant pleural mesothelioma cells. As a result, researchers compared two experimental strategies for treating pleural mesothelioma.
One strategy involved silencing the expression of DNMT1. Another strategy used the demethylating agent Decitabine. Interestingly enough, both strategies demonstrated substantial decreases in cell survival of malignant pleural mesothelioma cells. However, DNMT1 proved to be a simpler method of treating the cancer.
According to the researchers, “These results indicate that the two approaches act probably through different mechanisms and, thus, that DNMT1 silencing can be considered an effective alternative to Decitabine for cancer treatment.”
Additional information on mesothelioma may be found through the mesothelioma Center.