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Mesothelioma treatment details. Chemotherapy.

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States.

Survival: monthsCountry:United States
Toxiciy Grade:5City/State/Province:Tampa, FL
Treatments:ChemotherapyHospital:H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute
Drugs:Journal:Link
Date:Jul 2008

Description:

Patients: This phase II study involved 20 patients with pleural mesothelioma. The majority (75%) were male. Their median age was 67.5, ranging from 46 to 79 years of age.

Treatment: Patients were treated with the chemotherapy drugs pemetrexed and gemcitabine.

Toxicity: One patient died from multiple organ failure related to treatment with the study drugs. The most frequently reported grade 3 and 4 toxicities were neutropenia (occurring in 60% of patients), febrile neutropenia (reported in 10% of patients), and anemia (reported in 1 patient). Other grade 3 and 4 toxicities were fatigue, dehydration, constipation, vomiting, diarrhea, dyspnea, and nausea.

Results: The median overall survival was 26.8 months.

Support: This study was supported by research funds from Eli Lilly & Co., which markets gemcitabine as GemzarÒ and pemetrexed as AlimtaÒ.

Correspondence: Dr. George R. Simon





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