MESOMARK® Assay

The MESOMARK assay is a blood test that measures soluble mesothelin-related peptides (SMRP), proteins released into the blood by mesothelioma cells. Higher levels can support a mesothelioma diagnosis and help track how the disease responds to treatment. It isn't a stand-alone diagnosis; a biopsy is still needed to confirm. It works best for the epithelioid subtype and is less reliable for sarcomatoid mesothelioma.

Origin

MESOMARK was developed by Fujirebio Diagnostics and, in 2007, became the first blood test cleared by the U.S. FDA, under a humanitarian device exemption, to monitor mesothelioma. It grew out of research identifying mesothelin as a protein overexpressed by mesothelioma and certain other cancers.

Significance in Asbestos Context

For a patient, MESOMARK offers a relatively simple, low-risk way to monitor mesothelioma over time using a blood draw rather than repeated invasive procedures. A rising SMRP level can signal that the disease is progressing or has returned, while a falling level may suggest treatment is working. The test is most informative for epithelioid mesothelioma and can miss the sarcomatoid subtype, so a normal result doesn't rule the disease out. If your doctor orders serial MESOMARK tests, the trend over several results usually matters more than any single number, and those values become part of the medical record that documents your diagnosis and its course.

Example Sentence

Her oncologist ordered MESOMARK assays every few months, and the rising SMRP levels prompted a scan that confirmed the mesothelioma had recurred.

Related Terms

Mesothelin, Soluble Mesothelin-Related Peptides, Epithelioid Mesothelioma, Biomarker, Fibulin-3, Osteopontin

Notes

• Ask whether serial MESOMARK testing makes sense for your subtype; it's most useful for epithelioid mesothelioma and less so for sarcomatoid.
• Keep every SMRP result with its date so the trend line, not just one value, guides decisions.
• Remember a normal or low result doesn't exclude mesothelioma; confirmation still depends on biopsy and pathology, which should be preserved for your records and any claim.