Mesothelioma Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Mesothelioma, including details on asbestos, symptoms, treatment, causes.

Raltitrexed-Oxaliplatin combination chemotherapy is inactive as second-line treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma patients.

Porta C, Zimatore M, Bonomi L, Imarisio I, Paglino C, Sartore-Bianchi A, Mutti L

Medical Oncology, I.R.C.C.S. San Matteo University Hospital, Piazzale C. Golgi, I-27100 Pavia, Italy. c.porta@smatteo.pv.it

Within a single-institution phase II trial, we investigated the antitumor activity of the Raltitrexed-Oxaliplatin combination as second-line therapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Fourteen patients were enrolled and all were assessable for response. The trial was then closed because chemotherapy, though well tolerated, yielded no objective responses. The best response observed was disease stabilization in 4 patients only (28.57%), while the other 10 patients (71.42%) progressed despite treatment. Median time to progression (TTP) was 8 weeks (average: 9.85, range: 7-20), while median overall survival was just 14 weeks (average: 21.69, range: 9-66+).

Published 16 May 2005 in Lung Cancer, 48(3): 429-34.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2005-2008 Mesothelioma Research Today. All Rights Reserved.