Pemetrexed (ALIMTA) Plus Cisplatin Followed by Surgery and Radiation Therapy for Mesothelioma
Status:
Terminated
Trial end date:
2012-10-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Despite the best surgical efforts, complete removal of mesothelioma is possible in
approximately 30% of the patients. When surgical removal is complete, chemotherapy followed
by radiation therapy is recommended as an effort to improve control over the cancer and
survival. This combination of treatments is called TRIMODALITY therapy. Unfortunately, the
chances for the tumor coming back after TRIMODALITY therapy remains high. When surgical
removal is not complete or not possible, some patients may receive chemo and/or radiation
therapy to achieve control over the cancer, but the chances of tumor to growth again remains
high and the chances of long term survival remains low.
The combination of Pemetrexed (Alimta) with Cisplatin has been approved as one of the
standard chemotherapy drug combinations for the treatment in advanced Malignant Pleural
Mesothelioma, and there is likely a group of patients who may benefit and potentially be
cured by this therapy. In an effort to achieve a better chance of complete removal of the
cancer and long term survival, the investigators are interested in using this drug
combination of Pemetrexed + Cisplatin before surgery and offer radiation therapy after
surgery.