Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (795 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
A tumor derived from mesothelial tissue (peritoneum, pleura, pericardium). It appears as broad sheets of cells, with some regions containing spindle-shaped, sarcoma-like cells and other regions showing adenomatous patterns. Pleural mesotheliomas have been linked to exposure to asbestos. (Dorland, 27th ed)
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Mesotheliomas.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Adenoma; Neoplasms, Mesothelial
- Narrower topics
- Mesothelioma, Cystic; Mesothelioma, Malignant
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 16,797 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Mesothelioma” (counts retrieved 2026-10-29). 2,645 of them (15.7%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 6,066 records.
Reviews account for 2,322 records (13.8%) and meta-analyses for 95. Randomized controlled trials number 125 (0.7%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 6,066 |
| 2000-2009 | 3,520 |
| 2010-2019 | 4,566 |
| 2020 onward | 2,645 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 2,322 | 13.8% |
| Meta-analyses | 95 | 0.6% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 125 | 0.7% |
Method: PubMed query "Mesothelioma"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-29.
Reading the evidence in cancer and oncology
Cancer research spans very different kinds of evidence. Laboratory studies in cell lines and animal models reveal mechanisms but often do not translate to patients. Early-phase trials mainly test safety and dosing, while phase 3 randomized trials and their meta-analyses are the usual basis for treatment conclusions. Outcomes also differ in meaning: tumour shrinkage, progression-free survival and overall survival are not interchangeable, and screening studies can be distorted by lead-time and overdiagnosis. When reading a result, check the cancer type and stage studied, the comparison treatment, and which outcome was measured.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extended pleurectomy decortication and chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone for pleural mesothelioma (MARS 2): a phase 3 randomised controlled trial | 2024 | Randomized controlled trial Design not recorded in structured metadata | 114 | cc by PMID 38740044 · DOI · PMC11136673 |
| YAP/TAZ-TEAD signalling axis: A new therapeutic target in malignant pleural mesothelioma | 2024 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 27 | cc by PMID 38606782 · DOI · PMC11010261 |
| Immunotherapy of mesothelioma: the evolving change of a long-standing therapeutic dream | 2023 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 16 | cc by PMID 38259475 · DOI · PMC10800748 |
| Targeting fatty acid synthase suppresses tumor development in NF2/CDKN2A-deficient pleural mesothelioma | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 4 | cc by PMID 41764192 · DOI · PMC13031323 |
Extended pleurectomy decortication and chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone for pleural mesothelioma (MARS 2): a phase 3 randomised controlled trial [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundExtended pleurectomy decortication for complete macroscopic resection for pleural mesothelioma has never been evaluated in a randomised trial.
- Closing excerpt
- FundingNational Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme (15/188/31), Cancer Research UK Feasibility Studies Project Grant (A15895).
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (383 words)
BackgroundExtended pleurectomy decortication for complete macroscopic resection for pleural mesothelioma has never been evaluated in a randomised trial. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes after extended pleurectomy decortication plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone.MethodsMARS 2 was a phase 3, national, multicentre, open-label, parallel two-group, pragmatic, superiority randomised controlled trial conducted in the UK. The trial took place across 26 hospitals (21 recruiting only, one surgical only, and four recruiting and surgical). Following two cycles of chemotherapy, eligible participants with pleural mesothelioma were randomly assigned (1:1) to surgery and chemotherapy or chemotherapy alone using a secure web-based system. Individuals aged 16 years or older with resectable pleural mesothelioma and adequate organ and lung function were eligible for inclusion. Participants in the chemotherapy only group received two to four further cycles of chemotherapy, and participants in the surgery and chemotherapy group received pleurectomy decortication or extended pleurectomy decortication, followed by two to four further cycles of chemotherapy. It was not possible to mask allocation because the intervention was a major surgical procedure. The primary outcome was overall survival, defined as time from randomisation to death from any cause. Analyses were done on the intention-to-treat population for all outcomes, unless specified. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02040272, and is closed to new participants.FindingsBetween June 19, 2015, and Jan 21, 2021, of 1030 assessed for eligibility, 335 participants were randomly assigned (169 to surgery and chemotherapy, and 166 to chemotherapy alone). 291 (87%) participants were men and 44 (13%) women, and 288 (86%) were diagnosed with epithelioid mesothelioma. At a median follow-up of 22·4 months (IQR 11·3-30·8), median survival was shorter in the surgery and chemotherapy group (19·3 months [IQR 10·0-33·7]) than in the chemotherapy alone group (24·8 months [IQR 12·6-37·4]), and the difference in restricted mean survival time at 2 years was -1·9 months (95% CI -3·4 to -0·3, p=0·019). There were 318 serious adverse events (grade ≥3) in the surgery group and 169 in the chemotherapy group (incidence rate ratio 3·6 [95% CI 2·3 to 5·5], pInterpretationExtended pleurectomy decortication was associated with worse survival to 2 years, and more serious adverse events for individuals with resectable pleural mesothelioma, compared with chemotherapy alone.FundingNational Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme (15/188/31), Cancer Research UK Feasibility Studies Project Grant (A15895).
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 38740044 · DOI · PMC11136673
YAP/TAZ-TEAD signalling axis: A new therapeutic target in malignant pleural mesothelioma [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- The Hippo signalling pathway, a highly conserved signalling cassette, regulates organ size by controlling cell growth, apoptosis and stem cell self-renewal.
- Closing excerpt
- Several inhibitors of the YAP/TAZ-TEAD signalling axis are presently undergoing clinical development, with the goal of advancing them to clinical use in the near future.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (136 words)
The Hippo signalling pathway, a highly conserved signalling cassette, regulates organ size by controlling cell growth, apoptosis and stem cell self-renewal. The tumourigenic potential of this pathway is largely attributed to the activity of YAP/TAZ, which activate the TEAD1-4 transcription factors, leading to the expression of genes involved in cell proliferation and suppression of cell death. Aberrant regulation of the YAP/TAZ-TEAD signalling axis is commonly observed in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), an insidious neoplasm of the pleural tissue that lines the chest cavity and covers the lungs with poor prognosis. Given the limited effectiveness of current treatments, targeting the YAP/TAZ-TEAD signalling cascade has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy in MPM. Several inhibitors of the YAP/TAZ-TEAD signalling axis are presently undergoing clinical development, with the goal of advancing them to clinical use in the near future.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 38606782 · DOI · PMC11010261
Immunotherapy of mesothelioma: the evolving change of a long-standing therapeutic dream [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is an aggressive and rare disease, characterized by a very poor prognosis.
- Closing excerpt
- The aim of the present review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the most promising immunotherapeutic-based strategies currently under investigation for advanced PM.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (102 words)
Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is an aggressive and rare disease, characterized by a very poor prognosis. For almost two decades, the world standard treatment regimen for unresectable PM has consisted of a platinum-based drug plus pemetrexed, leading to an overall survival of approximately 12 months. The dramatic therapeutic scenario of PM has recently changed with the entry into the clinic of immune checkpoint inhibition, which has proven to be an effective approach to improve the survival of PM patients. The aim of the present review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the most promising immunotherapeutic-based strategies currently under investigation for advanced PM.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 38259475 · DOI · PMC10800748
Targeting fatty acid synthase suppresses tumor development in NF2/CDKN2A-deficient pleural mesothelioma [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is an uncommon yet deadly cancer linked to asbestos exposure.
- Closing excerpt
- This research offers a novel perspective on the potential development of precision medicine for PM.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (174 words)
Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is an uncommon yet deadly cancer linked to asbestos exposure. The lack of effective early diagnosis and treatment leads to reduced life expectancy among patients with PM. This study aims to identify a novel molecular target inhibitor to develop more effective therapeutics for PM. Our drug screening assay showed that the fatty acid synthase (FASN) inhibitor cerulenin demonstrates strong and selective antiproliferative properties against NF2/CDKN2A(p16)-deficient PM cells, surpassing the effects of C75, cisplatin or pemetrexed. FASN protein is frequently detected in NF2/p16-deficient PM tumor-derived tissues (15/15, 100%), but rarely in NF2/p16-intact PM tumors (8/25, 32%). Notably, cerulenin administration successfully reduced the growth of NF2/p16-deficient PM tumors in xenografted mice. Cerulenin inhibits mitochondrial fission by targeting dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) in NF2/p16-deficient cells. Moreover, the disruption of the FASN gene leads to increased ubiquitination of DRP1. These findings suggest that FASN might play a role in the tumorigenesis of PM cells through the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics. This research offers a novel perspective on the potential development of precision medicine for PM.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41764192 · DOI · PMC13031323
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Comprehensive genomic analysis of malignant pleural mesothelioma identifies recurrent mutations, gene fusions and splicing alterations [5]
- Research article ERS/ESTS/EACTS/ESTRO guidelines for the management of malignant pleural mesothelioma [6]
- Research article A systematic review and meta-analysis of surgical treatments for malignant pleural mesothelioma [7]
- Research article Malignant pleural mesothelioma: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up☆ [8]
- Research article The 2021 WHO Classification of Tumors of the Pleura: Advances Since the 2015 Classification [9]
- Research article Perspectives on the Treatment of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma [10]
References
- Lim E, Waller D, Lau K, Steele J, Pope A, Ali C, et al.. Extended pleurectomy decortication and chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone for pleural mesothelioma (MARS 2): a phase 3 randomised controlled trial. . 2024. PMID 38740044 · DOI · PMC11136673
- Papavassiliou KA, Sofianidi AA, Papavassiliou AG. YAP/TAZ-TEAD signalling axis: A new therapeutic target in malignant pleural mesothelioma. . 2024. PMID 38606782 · DOI · PMC11010261
- Calabrò L, Bronte G, Grosso F, Cerbone L, Delmonte A, Nicolini F, et al.. Immunotherapy of mesothelioma: the evolving change of a long-standing therapeutic dream. . 2023. PMID 38259475 · DOI · PMC10800748
- Karnan S, Ota A, Hasan MN, Murakami H, Rahman ML, Wahiduzzaman M, et al.. Targeting fatty acid synthase suppresses tumor development in NF2/CDKN2A-deficient pleural mesothelioma. . 2026. PMID 41764192 · DOI · PMC13031323
- Bueno R, Stawiski EW, Goldstein LD, Durinck S, De Rienzo A, Modrusan Z, et al.. Comprehensive genomic analysis of malignant pleural mesothelioma identifies recurrent mutations, gene fusions and splicing alterations. Nat Genet. 2016. PMID 26928227 · DOI
- Scherpereel A, Opitz I, Berghmans T, Psallidas I, Glatzer M, Rigau D, et al.. ERS/ESTS/EACTS/ESTRO guidelines for the management of malignant pleural mesothelioma. Eur Respir J. 2020. PMID 32451346 · DOI
- Cao C, Tian D, Park J, Allan J, Pataky KA, Yan TD. A systematic review and meta-analysis of surgical treatments for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Lung Cancer. 2014. PMID 24360321 · DOI
- Popat S, Baas P, Faivre-Finn C, Girard N, Nicholson AG, Nowak AK, et al.. Malignant pleural mesothelioma: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up☆. Ann Oncol. 2022. PMID 34861373 · DOI
- Sauter JL, Dacic S, Galateau-Salle F, Attanoos RL, Butnor KJ, Churg A, et al.. The 2021 WHO Classification of Tumors of the Pleura: Advances Since the 2015 Classification. J Thorac Oncol. 2022. PMID 35026477 · DOI
- Janes SM, Alrifai D, Fennell DA. Perspectives on the Treatment of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma. N Engl J Med. 2021. PMID 34551230 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-29.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.