part of 10.2217/fon-2016-0338 © 2016 Future Medicine Ltd SUPPLEMENT Early efects of fuoro-edenite: correlation between IL-18 serum levels and pleural and parenchymal abnormalities Caterina Ledda* ,1 , Carla Loreto 2 , Serena Matera 1 , Nicoletta Massimino 1 , Emanuele Cannizzaro 3 , Andrea Musumeci 4 , Marcello Migliore 5 , Concettina Fenga 6 , Cristoforo Pomara 7,8 & Venerando Rapisarda 1 1 Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, Occupational Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy 2 Department of Biomedical & Biotechnology Sciences, Human Anatomy & Histology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy 3 Department of Sciences for Health Promotion & Mother & Child Care ‘Giuseppe D’Alessandro’, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy 4 Division of Radiology, University Hospital ‘Policlinico, Vittorio Emanuele’, University of Catania, Catania, Italy 5 Department of Surgery, Academic Thoracic Surgery Unit, University Hospital ‘Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele’, University of Catania, Catania, Italy 6 Department of the Environment, Safety, Territory, Food & Health Sciences, Occupational Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy 7 Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, Legal Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy 8 Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Malta, Msida, Malta *Author for correspondence: cledda@unict.it Fluoro-edenite (FE) is a natural mineral asbestos-like fbrous species frst isolated in Biancavilla, Sicily. In order to clarify potential involvement of IL-18 in the pathogenesis of FE-induced chest abnormalities, we analyzed IL-18 serum levels in FE-exposed workers (FEEW) and correlated them with pleural and parenchymal abnormalities. A total of 21 FEEWs, residing in Biancavilla for >30 years, with a working seniority of 17 ± 6.1 years were examined. High-resolution computed tomography scans revealed low grade of fbrosis in 8 (38%) FEEWs, and pleural plaques (PPs) in 13 (62%) FEEWs. The mean IL-18 level was 203.13 ± 90.43 pg/ml. Pearson correlation showed a signifcant association (p < 0.0001) between IL-18 and PPs and parenchymal abnormality scores. Data suggest a potential role of IL-18 in the pathogenesis of these diseases. First draft submitted: 18 July 2016; Accepted for publication: 14 September 2016; Published online: 27 September 2016 KEYWORDS • asbestos • IL-18 • natural carcinogenic fber Fluoro-edenite (FE) is a natural mineral species first isolated in Biancavilla, Sicily. Its fibers are similar in size and morphology to some amphibolic asbestos fibers, whose inhalation can cause chronic inflammation and cancer [1–3] . Environmental and occupational exposure to FE is known to be associated with pleural and lung disease [4–6] . The pathogenesis of asbestos-related disease is associated with a persistent inflammatory response initiated directly or indirectly by reactive oxygen species, cytokines, chemokines, growth factors and proinflammatory factors [7] . IL-18 (IL-18) is a pleiotropic inflammatory cytokine that is mainly produced by activated mac- rophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells and Kupffer cells. It is a potent inducer of gene expression and synthesis of IFN-γ, TNF, IL-1, Fas ligand and several chemokines in immune-competent cells [8] . In order to clarify potential involvement of IL-18 in the pathogenesis of chest abnormalities induced by FE, we analyzed IL-18 serum levels in FE-exposed workers (FEEW) and correlated them with pleural and parenchymal abnormalities (PA) detected by high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) chest scan. Future Oncol. (Epub ahead of print) ISSN 1479-6694 For reprint orders, please contact: reprints@futuremedicine.com