What Role Does Immunosuppresion Play in the Pathogenesis of Mesothelioma?
Although the precise mechansim for mesothioma is currently unknown, one study has postulated that immunosupression plays a role in the pathogenesis of this cancer. Mesothelioma in an HIV/AIDS patient without history of asbestos exposure: possible role for immunosuppression in mesothelioma: a case report, involved the study was of 41-year-old man who had asthma, HIV with progression to AIDS in the past 3 years, and a 20-pack year smoking history, was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma. This individual had no occupational history of asbestos exposure but did have a brief history of assisting in the demolition of a house over an 8-hour period a year before his diagnosis but it was unknown if he was exposed to asbestos during that work.
The authors of the study noted that the polyoma virus SV-40 has been implicated as a participant in some cases of mesothelioma. Studies have postulated that since the virus inactivates anti-tumor genes such as retinoblastoma, it promotes immunosuppression that may lead to enhanced susceptibility to mesothelioma. Similar to SV-40 virus, HIV is also an oncovirus and therefore capable of inducing cancer. Because HIV suppresses the immune system the authors think that HIV increases the susceptible to mesothelioma.
The authors also noted that transplant patients are immunosuppressed due to administration of drugs to prevent transplant organ rejection and elderly patients undergo physiologic immunosenescence which is characterized by reduced immune responses. Mesothelioma has been reported in transplant patients, without notable asbestos exposure, and mesotheliomas are classically reported in elderly patients.
The study notes that mesothelioma may be more prevalent in SV-40 virus-infected patients, HIV/AIDS patients, organ transplant patients, and elderly patients, than in the general population. The study concludes the development of mesothelioma in patients with HIV/AIDS, SV-40 infection, organ transplant, or advanced age suggests that chronic immunosuppression enhances susceptibility to mesothelioma.
