Usefulness of Aquaporin 1 as a Prognostic Marker in a Prospective Cohort of Malignant Mesotheliomas.

(1) BACKGROUND: Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive tumour of the serosal membranes, associated with exposure to asbestos. Survival is generally poor, but prognostication for individual patients is difficult. We recently described Aquaporin 1 (AQP1) as independent prognostic factor in two separate retrospective cohorts of MM patients. Here we assess the usefulness of AQP1 prospectively, and determine the inter-observer agreement in assessing AQP1 scores; (2) METHODS: A total of 104 consecutive cases of MM were included. Sufficient tissue for immunohistochemistry was available for 100 cases, and these cases were labelled for AQP1. Labelling was assessed by two pathologists. Complete clinical information and follow up was available for 91 cases; (3) RESULTS: Labelling of ≥50% of tumour cells for AQP indicated improved prognosis in a univariate model (median survival 13 versus 8 months, p = 0.008), but the significance was decreased in a multivariate analysis. Scoring for AQP1 was robust, with an inter-observer kappa value of 0.722, indicating substantial agreement between observers; (4) CONCLUSION: AQP1 is a useful prognostic marker that can be easily incorporated in existing diagnostic immunohistochemical panels and which can be reliably interpreted by different pathologists.

BAP1 hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome: a case report and review of literature.

A 72-year-old woman was diagnosed with uveal melanoma, peritoneal mesothelioma and a primary biliary tract adenocarcinoma. She had a strong family history of mesothelioma as well as other malignancies including renal cell carcinoma. The recently described BAP1 hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome was suspected, but immunohistochemical labeling was not conclusive. Genetic testing confirmed a novel and unusual germline mutation in the ubiquitin hydrolase domain of the BAP1 gene (p.Tyr173Cys) and the patient was diagnosed with the BAP1 hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome. This case demonstrates the importance of clinically recognizing this rare syndrome and its manifestations, some which are still being characterized. It also highlights the importance of genetic testing in cases where there is a high clinical suspicion, even when screening tests, such as immunohistochemistry, in this case, are inconclusive. The diagnosis of a germline BAP1 mutation may have important implications for both the patient and their families with regards to further genetic testing and active surveillance programs. Further research is needed to fully understand the extent and clinical implications of this rare cancer syndrome.

Blockade of aquaporin 1 inhibits proliferation, motility, and metastatic potential of mesothelioma in vitro but not in an in vivo model.

BACKGROUND: Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive tumor of the serosal membranes, mostly the pleura. It is related to asbestos exposure and has a poor prognosis. MM has a long latency period, and incidence is predicted to remain stable or increase until 2020. Currently, no biomarkers for a specific targeted therapy are available. Previously, we observed that expression of aquaporin 1 (AQP1) was an indicator of prognosis in two independent cohorts. Here we determine whether AQP1 inhibition has therapeutic potential in the treatment of MM. METHODS: Functional studies were performed with H226 cells and primary MM cells harvested from pleural effusions. AQP1 expression and mesothelial phenotype was determined by immunohistochemistry. AQP1 function was inhibited by a pharmacological blocker (AqB050) or AQP1-specific siRNA. Cell proliferation, migration, and anchorage-independent cell growth were assessed. A nude mouse heterotopic xenograft model of MM was utilised for the in vivo studies. RESULTS: Inhibition of AQP1 significantly decreases cell proliferation, metastatic potential, and motility without inducing nonspecific cytotoxicity or increasing apoptosis. In vivo blockade of AQP1 had no biologically significant effect on growth of established tumours. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted blockade of AQP1 restricts MM growth and migration in vitro. Further work is warranted to fully evaluate treatment potential in vivo.