2022 World Conference on Lung Cancer (ePosters)-EP07.02-001. Evaluation of FGF18 as a Contributing Factor in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Growth and Its Role as a Potential Biomarker

EP07.02-001. Evaluation of FGF18 as a Contributing Factor in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Growth and Its Role as a Potential Biomarker

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Researchers conducted a study to evaluate the potential of fibroblast growth factor 18 (FGF18) as a contributing factor in the growth of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) and its role as a biomarker. MPM is a type of cancer with a poor prognosis, and there is a need for non-invasive biomarkers to aid in diagnosis and prognosis.<br /><br />The study analyzed the gene expression of FGF18 in MPM cell lines and in patients with the disease. They found that FGF18 expression was high in MPM cell lines, and patients with high FGF18 expression tended to have longer overall survival.<br /><br />Plasma samples were collected from MPM patients at the time of diagnosis or before surgical resection, as well as from healthy participants and patients with non-malignant pleural diseases. Circulating FGF18 levels were measured and correlated with clinical data. It was discovered that circulating FGF18 was significantly lower in MPM patients with pleuritis/fibrosis compared to healthy controls. There was also a tendency towards higher plasma FGF 18 levels in patients with non-epithelioid histology.<br /><br />Despite the high expression of FGF18 in MPM cell lines, circulating FGF18 levels in MPM patients could not be connected to prognosis. In fact, forced overexpression of FGF18 resulted in reduced cell growth but increased migration in one of the two cell models analyzed.<br /><br />In conclusion, FGF18 may influence the behavior of a subset of MPM cells. However, while FGF18 expression was high in cell lines, circulating FGF18 levels in patients were decreased and could not be used as a biomarker for prognosis.<br /><br />This study highlights the complex role of FGF18 in MPM and further research is needed to fully understand its potential as a therapeutic target or biomarker for this deadly disease.

Asset Subtitle

Berta Mosleh

Meta Tag

Speaker Berta Mosleh

Topic Mesothelioma, Thymoma, and Other Thoracic Malignancies - Preclinical

Keywords

fibroblast growth factor 18

FGF18

malignant pleural mesothelioma

MPM

biomarker

gene expression

overall survival

plasma samples

circulating FGF18 levels

prognosis