Serum HMGB1 concentrations of patients with MPM were significantly higher (median: 6.7, interquartile range: 4.8-11.0 ng/ml) than those of patients with benign asbestos-related diseases (asbestosis or pleural plaques) and healthy individuals (median: 5.4, interquartile range: 4.0-6.7 ng/ml) (p=0.001, Figure 2B). Here, HMGB1 is linked to asbestosis.