Mesothelioma and enzyme polymorphisms

Another approach to the problem was based on finding an enzyme polymorphisms may explain individual susceptibility. Are numerous publications on the subject and may tend to contradict themselves.
Thus, Hirvonen et al. reported the results of a study finding an increased risk of mesothelioma in 145 subjects exposed to asbestos and having an enzymatic activity glutathione S-transferase μ (GSTμ) null (OR = 2.3, 95% = [ 1,1-4,7]), and higher still if no enzyme activity was associated with an activity N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) slow acetylators (OR = 3.8, 95% CI = [1-14,3 ]).

A subsequent study confirmed the increased risk of mesothelioma in 80 patients with low exposure to asbestos and having an enzymatic activity GSTμ zero but contrary to the findings of the previous study, the risk was further increased if activity GSTμ zero s' associated with an activity N-acetyl transferase 2 rapid acetylators (OR = 2.14, CI 95% = [1,15-3,98]). An active low microsomal epoxide hydrolase was associated with an increased risk of mesothelioma (OR = 2.51, CI 95% = [1,11-5,68]) .

Stucker et al. [38] have not found an association between the diseases related to asbestos and isoforms GSTμ or t in 107 patients with asbestosis exposure.

It is therefore currently not possible to conclude an individual enzyme profile associated with an increased risk of mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Risk Factors

Occupational exposure to theAsbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure exists in almost all cases listed. However, mesothelioma has been reported in a few cases of individuals without known exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally in the form of a cluster of hard, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin son and be woven. Asbestos was widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring, textiles, and insulation products. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed and cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancerCauses asbestosis pulmonary fibrosis (chronic non-cancer) and other cancers, such as tumors of the larynx and kidney. For a person with the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases the risk of developing cancer of the upper airway or bronchial carcinoma. The Kent brand has used asbestos in its filters for cigarettes during some of his early years of production in the 1950s and some cases of mesothelioma have resulted. Apart from this particular case, smoking did not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. Some studies suggest that the virus simian 40 (SV40) Could act as cofactor in the development of mesothelioma