Clapper, Patti, Schweizer and Mason

Recent medical research from Columbia University Medical Center and Center for Radiological Research indicate links lower levels of TGFBI with increased effectiveness of radiation therapy for patients diagnosed with mesothelioma.  TGFBI stands for transforming growth factor beta induced and is an extracellular matrix protein that is involved with tumor progression and survival.  TGFBI is also referred to as bIGH3.

In a scientific study, researchers took samples from primary tissue samples from mesothelioma patients as well from ATCC cell lines.  ATCC is an independent, nonprofit biological resource organization that provides such products as tissue samples and cell line samples to be utilized in research studies so that new information can be gathered leading to more effective treatments.

Radiation was then applied to the collected mesothelioma cell line samples using a Cs137 gamma-irradiator.  After radiation, analysis of mRNA and protein expression levels confirmed a significant deregulation of the TGFBI protein.

In the past, studies have shown that downregulation of TGFBI in the extracellular matrix is correlated with resistance to chemotherapy and radiation, inhibiting apoptosis, and leading to malignant cell and tumor growth.  Loss of TGFBI has been shown to increase cell proliferation, tumor progression, and angiogenesis in mice models and in vitro studies.  Therefore, the conclusion is that TGFBI functions not only in suppressing tumor and tumor growth, but also may aid in the efficacy of both chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Mesothelioma is often treatment resistant, if not upon first interventions then thereafter.  Research that could aid in interfering with these mechanisms that cause resistence and that enhance effects of mesothelioma treatments is warranted for further study.