Diagnostic biomarker of asbestos‐related mesothelioma: Example of translational research

Mesothelioma is an aggressive tumor arising from the mesothelium, and is usually associated with previous exposure to asbestos. The incubation period of asbestos‐related mesothelioma is estimated to be approximately 30–40 years. Once mesothelioma has occurred, there is no effective treatment. So, identification of tumor markers and a method for early diagnosis using such markers are urgently needed. Recently, several enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay systems for Erc/mesothelin have been developed, the reported usefulness of which has been assessed and demonstrated as a diagnostic tool. Asbestos‐related mesothelioma should be ascribed as a typical environmental carcinogen. In this review, we will present asbestos‐related mesothelioma for the study of problems in environmental carcinogenesis. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 1147–1151)