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Mesothelioma treatment details. Biologic therapy.

University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ, United States.

Survival: monthsCountry:United States
Toxiciy Grade:5City/State/Province:Tucson, AZ
Treatments:Biologic therapyHospital:University of Arizona Cancer Center
Drugs:Journal:Link
Date:Jun 2007

Description:

Patients:
This phase 2 study involved 64 malignant pleural mesothelioma patients who had not received prior chemotherapy. The median patient age was 69.5 years and 75% were male.

Treatment:
Patients were treated with the biologic therapy agent called erlotinib, which is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that interferes with tumor growth.

Toxicities:
There was one treatment-related death due to shortness of breath/respiratory failure. Grade 3 rash, diarrhea, and fatigue were also reported.

Results:
The median overall survival was 10 months.

Support:
Some of the authors have served as consultants for Genentech, makers of erlotinib.

Correspondence: Southwest Oncology Group; email: [email protected]



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