Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and aggressive
tumor with a short survival time arising from the mesothelial cells of the pleura. Soluble
mesothelin-related
peptide (SMRP),
osteopontin or EFEMP1 (Fibulin-3) are well described
biomarkers for
malignant mesothelioma with moderate sensitivity and specificity. In this study, we characterized the expression of
glycodelin, a marker for risk pregnancy, in MPM by
RNA and
protein analyses and investigated its potential as a MPM
biomarker. We were able to detect
glycodelin in the serum of MPM patients. Compared to benign
lung diseases, the serum levels were significant increased. Patients with high
glycodelin serum levels revealed a worse overall survival. The
glycodelin serum levels correlated with the
tumor response to treatment. A comparison of SMRP and
glycodelin serum measurement in a large patient cohort demonstrated that the detection of both soluble factors can increase the reliable diagnostic of MPM.
Glycodelin was highly expressed in MPM
tumors. Analyses of a tissue micro array indicated that the immunomodulatory form
glycodelin A was expressed in MPM and correlated with the survival of the patients. Altogether,
glycodelin seems to be a new potential
biomarker for the aggressive
malignant pleural mesothelioma.