Multiple institutions’ research findings using the National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank

Abstract

Mesothelioma remains an under-researched cancer due to the lack of high-quality patient samples and clinical information, especially outcomes and asbestos exposure data. The National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank (NMVB) is a biobank in which mesothelioma annotated biospecimens can be made widely available to the research community. Here, we summarized the significant research findings from 20 publications that utilized the NMVB samples for novel biomarker and therapeutic discoveries. The results showed that the use of the NMVB resource was utilized for a number of basic science studies including, but not limited to, studies of biomarkers, abnormal gene expression, and potential therapeutic targets. Some selected findings from these studies include the identification of positive biomarkers such as miRNAs, autoantibodies, and HMGB1. Genes that have mutations or high/low levels of expression like BAP1 or BLM genes can play essential roles in mesothelioma. Algorithms like SPaRTAN and GES can help to understand cell activities. Treatments investigated include thiostrepton, interferon-β gene, and Brentuximab. Publications reviewed indicated a significant impact of the NMVB resource utilized in significant studies focusing on biomarker and therapeutic discoveries, which can act as a model for rare diseases, especially in oncology.