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.

Limited efficacy of imatinib mesylate in malignant mesothelioma: a phase II trial.

Mathy A, Baas P, Dalesio O, van Zandwijk N

Biometrics Department, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands. a.mathy@nki.nl

Twenty-five patients with histologically proven malignant mesothelioma participated in a trial of imatinib mesylate (Glivec) with a starting dose of 400 mg per day taken orally, up to a maximal dose of 800 mg. No responses were observed in the patient group, while three patients showed prolonged (>6 months) stabilization of disease. The median survival time was 398 days (range 88-840); the median time to progression was 63 days (range 29-275). Side effects of the medication were mild and included edema, nausea, constipation and diarrhea. We conclude that further investigation with monotherapy imatinib in mesothelioma is not warranted.

Published 16 September 2005 in Lung Cancer, 50(1): 83-6.
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