Certain biomarkers are linked to specific types of cancer. These biomarkers are proteins found in patients’ blood or tissue samples.
In most cases, scientists look for these biomarkers to determine the type of cancer, such as mesothelioma. However, some biomarkers and the level of expression can even hint at the patient’s prognosis – and an estimated survival.
A study at the National Cancer Institute and published in Clinical Lung Cancer identified seven biomarkers that can predict whether someone with mesothelioma will live for just a few months or several years. The specific proteins likely dictate whether the disease will spread quickly or not, or whether they will respond to treatment. Both are factors for survival.
Biomarkers for Mesothelioma Prognosis
Doctors often determine which biomarkers are present in a patient’s tumor or blood through a biopsy. There are two main types of mesothelioma biopsies: tissue samples and blood samples.
After retrieving a sample, doctors send it to a lab for pathology testing. This is where scientists test the sample for specific protein biomarkers known to be associated with types of cancer, including mesothelioma. Mesothelioma pathology is a critical step in confirming a diagnosis of the cancer and providing a general prognosis of the patient.
The level of expression of a biomarker can also determine if the patient has a specific type of cancer. It can also determine the aggressiveness of the tumors.
The seven biomarkers analyzed in the study are:
- Soluble mesothelin-related peptide (SMRP)
- Megakaryocyte potentiating factor (MPF)
- CA125
- C-reactive protein (CRP)
- Fibrinogen
- Platelet count
- Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR)
The study included 414 patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. Most had pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lining of the lungs. The average survival after diagnosis for people with pleural mesothelioma is around 14 months.
Some people had peritoneal mesothelioma, which forms in the lining of the abdominal cavity. The average survival for this cancer is closer to 2 years.
For all seven biomarkers, there was a significant difference in overall survival between low and high levels of expression of the biomarker. For example, people with a low expression of SMRP lived for an average of 3 years. People with a high level of the protein lived for just 7-8 months on average.
Other results were:
- MFP – 3.7 years for low expression levels and 7-8 months for high expression
- CA125 – 19 months for low expression and 9-10 months for high expression
- CRP – 4.1 years for low expression and 4-5 months for high expression
- Fibrinogen – 4.1 years for low expression and 6-7 months for high expression
- Platelet Count – 17 months for low expression and 9-10 months for high expression
- NLR – 2.1 years for low expression and 7-8 months for high expression
This is important information for people with mesothelioma or their loved ones. They often seek facts or statistics about the mesothelioma survival rates. While doctors often do not want to predict survival, the patient’s expression level of these protein biomarkers could help set some expectations based on past cases.
That being said, every case is unique. Some people with high levels of expression of CRP may live much longer than 4-5 months simply because they are in an earlier stage and a better candidate for aggressive treatment. Do not lose hope based on data from past cases as many survivors of mesothelioma beat the odds to live for 5, 10, or even 20 years after their diagnosis.
To learn more about determining a prognosis for mesothelioma, visit this page on the Mesothelioma Guide website.
Sources & Author
- Prognostic Significance of Inflammatory, Cellular, and Tumor-Specific Biomarkers in Patients With Pleural and Peritoneal Mesothelioma. Clinical Lung Cancer. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42106231/. Accessed: 05/14/2026.
