Serum and Pleural Soluble Cell Adhesion Molecules in Mesothelioma Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Mesothelioma is an aggressive tumor of mesothelial cells with poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. Evaluation of the role of well-described molecules would introduce new approaches for prognosis assessment and clinical management in mesothelioma. More importantly, it would pave the way for the development of new, potentially more beneficial therapeutic strategies. In this study, levels of serum and pleural soluble cell adhesion molecules (sCAMs) were measured in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. Endpoints that were assessed were: (i) the association of sCAM levels with clinicopathological characteristics of included patients, (ii) the prognostic significance of sCAM levels and (iii) the difference of serum sCAM levels in mesothelioma patients vs. healthy controls. The findings of this study along with future research may contribute to the optimal management of mesothelioma patients. ABSTRACT: Mesothelioma, a malignant neoplasm of mesothelial cells, has overall poor prognosis. Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are proteins that contribute to the immune response. In this study the clinical utility and prognostic significance of serum and pleural fluid soluble CAM (sCAM) levels were assessed in patients with mesothelioma. Mesothelioma patients were retrospectively recruited (2016–2020). Clinical characteristics, serum and pleural sCAM levels (sE-cadherin, sE-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1)) and histopathological characteristics were gathered. A total of 51 healthy controls were also recruited for a secondary cross-sectional analysis. 92 mesothelioma patients were analyzed (mean age 64.5 years, 87% males, performance status 0–2). Patients with increased pleural sE-cadherin had higher risk for disease progression (adjusted HR 1.11 (1.02, 1.20), p = 0.013). Serum and pleural sE-selectin were decreased in patients with high-grade mesothelioma. Patients with increased serum or pleural sE-selectin levels had lower risk for death (adjusted HR 0.88 (0.81, 0.96), p = 0.003; 0.90 (0.82, 0.99), p = 0.039, respectively). Serum sE-cadherin, sE-selectin and sICAM-1 levels were significantly increased in mesothelioma patients compared to healthy controls. Further studies are needed to indicate the clinical utility of serum and pleural sCAMs in mesothelioma patients.