The American Society of Clinical Oncology has determined that the combination of the chemotherapy medications Almita (pemetrexed) and the compound Platinol® (or Paraplatin®) is effective as a therapeutic treatment for patients that suffer from malignant mesothelioma. This treatment, however, is used and is most effective with people who have never previously been treated for the disease.

This type of treatment requires clinical trials in different stages of cancer. For example, a trial test in stage III was performed with over 448 patients. This test compared the combination drug with Platinol alone. The study proved that patients increased their survival rate, quality of life, and response rate. Revealing itself as the largest trial for patients who suffered from mesothelioma, it allowed Alimta to be distributed in access because of its positive results.  More than 745 patients (those who were not involved in the trial) received the treatment medication after its access had been made through the program.

Side effects included hrombocytopenia, anemia, neutropenia and leucopenia. These, however, occurred more frequently in patients who used the Almita and Paraplatin combination. Nevertheless, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. More than 64% of people increased their survival rate while being treated with Almita and Platinol. Response rates increased between 21 and 22%, depending on the medication combination used, as well as highly stabilizing more than 77% of patients involved in the treatment.

Malignant Mesothelioma is a serious, but rare, cancer that forms in the protective lining of the lungs. Those who were exposed to asbestos material in their home or workplace are most prone to developing this life threatening disease. Symptoms and complications are difficult to diagnose because of the cancer’s rarity and slow formation. Those who experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, pain, and a decreased quality of everyday activity are at risk for a mesothelioma diagnosis. Like most cancers, mesothelioma is treated with common practices such as chemotherapy and radiation.

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 1st, 2007 at 10:42 pm and is filed under Asbestos Exposure. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed. Responses are currently closed, but you trackback from your own site.