Role of Inflammation and Angiogenic Growth Factors in Malignant Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a highly aggressive tumor which arises from the mesothelial cell lining of the serosal surfaces, most cases (>90%) being of pleural origin (Attanoos & Gibbs, 1997; Robinson & Lake, 2005). The pathogenesis of MM has been mainly associated with previous asbestos exposure (Berman & Crump, 2008), with a latency period of up to 40 years, although other agents such as Simian virus 40 (SV40) or genetic susceptibility factors have been linked to the development of this tumor (Carbone et al., 2002; Pisick & Salgia, 2005). Indeed, human mesothelial cells are highly susceptible to SV40mediated transformation in vitro and SV40 DNA sequences and large T antigen (Tag) have been detected in human MM cells (Bocchetta et al., 2000; Carbone et al., 2012; Gazdar et al., 2003).