Haining Yang News Today

Researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, led by Dr. Haining Yang and Dr. Michele Carbone, have discovered the critical role of the HMGB1 protein in asbestos-induced mesothelioma.

Published in the Sept. 18 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the U.S., the research revealed following asbestos exposure the release of HMGB1 to the human body kick-starts an inflammatory process, which over time promotes mesothelioma.

The HMGB1 protein plays a critical role in the development of asbestos-induced mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive and deadly cancer of the mesothelial tissue lining the internal organs and is incurable in most of the cases.

Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma typically only live for one to two years — but that timeline could change with recent findings.

Researchers hope the likely explanation for the improved survival rate of mesothelioma can be used to treat other cancers.

The study reports the interaction of BAP1, HMGB1 and HDAC1 form a trimer, a macromolecular component.

December 17, 2020 Postdoctoral research fellow and collaborator Angela Bononi in Carbone’s lab. Update: In February 2021, the paper was selected as Paper of the Month by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. New research has found that individuals born with inherited mutations of the ‘ BLM gene’ are more susceptible to developing mesothelioma, especially upon exposure to asbestos. The study was conducted by University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center researcher Michele Carbon...

Posted: Dec 17, 2020 Michele Carbone New research has found that individuals born with inherited mutations of the ‘BLM gene’ are more susceptible to developing mesothelioma, especially upon exposure to asbestos. The study was conducted by University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center researcher Michele Carbone and collaborators, and was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Individuals who inherit two mutated copies of the BLM gene are affected by the rare Bloom Syndrome...