The role of growth factors and cytokines in the tumorigenesis and immunobiology of malignant mesothelioma.

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an asbestos-associated cancer that is increasing in incidence worldwide and is refractory to conventional therapy. MM cells are potent sources of a number of cytokines, some of which have recently been shown to be directly involved in the aggressive growth and spread of MM tumors. Emerging data also suggest involvement of MM-derived cytokines in systemic paraneoplastic syndromes including immunosuppression, thrombocytosis, cachexia, amyloidosis, and hypoglycemia. Additional characterization of the expression of cytokines and cytokine receptors in situ in MM tumors may provide a more complete picture of the autocrine and paracrine processes which occur in MM. Improved therapy of MM, particularly cytokine-based approaches, is likely to benefit from further elucidation of the patterns and regulation of cytokine expression associated with MM tumors.