The incidence of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) has risen significantly due to extensive asbestos exposure, particularly since the mid-20th century. Despite advancements in cancer therapies, a definitive cure for MPM remains elusive, largely because the molecular mechanisms driving asbestos-related carcinogenesis are not yet fully understood. This exploratory study investigates gene expression alterations specifically associated with mesothelioma patients who have a documented history of asbestos exposure, aiming to provide a foundation for future research focused on identifying novel prognostic and predictive biomarkers.

Publicly available RNA sequencing datasets were analyzed using a bioinformatics pipeline to perform differential gene expression analysis. Furthermore, functional enrichment analysis was conducted to identify significantly overrepresented Gene Ontology (GO) terms related to biological processes, molecular functions, and cellular components, offering insights into the molecular pathways implicated in MPM pathogenesis.

The analysis identified a set of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in MPM patients with confirmed asbestos exposure, along with key enriched GO terms. These biological annotations highlight processes such as ion homeostasis and oxidative stress response, shedding light on the cellular disruptions triggered by asbestos exposure.

The findings of this study enhance our understanding of the molecular alterations underlying asbestos-induced carcinogenesis in MPM. By pinpointing specific DEGs and enriched GO categories, this research provides a valuable basis for future studies aimed at discovering biomarkers and therapeutic targets to improve patient outcomes.