Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a disease that causes tumors to grow in the linings of the lung, or pleura that is usually related to exposure to asbestos. Patients live an average of six to nine months following diagnosis.
Following is a list of medicines used to treat mesothelioma.
ALIMTA (pemetrexed) is now available on expanded access basis. ALIMTA will be available on an expanded access use for people with malignant pleural mesothelioma, a cancer usually associated with exposure to asbestos.
As of July 9, 2002 the Food and Drug Administration agreed to place ALIMTA in an expanded access program, which gives patients access to an agent that isn’t yet commercially available, although the sponsor is actively pursuing marketing approval.
Eli Lilly is pursuing approval of ALIMTA in combination with cisplatin for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma, a disease that causes tumors to grow in the linings of the lung, or pleura. Patients live an average of six to nine months following diagnosis.
The company said results of a Phase III trial showed that patients treated with ALIMTA and cisplatin combined lived longer and had less pain and shortness of breath, than patients treated with cisplatin alone.
In the trial, the most common side effect from cisplatin and ALIMTA was a decrease in infection- fighting white blood cells. Under the expanded access program, ALIMTA will be given free of charge to patients who meet medical eligibility requirements.
L-NDDP (aroplatin). Intrapleural administration is intended to exceed the usefulness of other platinum drugs like Cisplatin that are limited by toxicity and drug resistance.
Endostatin. Has been shown to inhibit a tumor’s ability to grow blood vessels without destroying normal healthy cells. Works with angiostatin.
Lovastatin. A cholesterol drug shown to potentially inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Intrapleural interferon gamma. The anti-cancer drug, Interferon Gamma is directly administered into the affected area.
Photodynamic therapy. Light energy is used to destroy cancer cells.
Immunotherapy. Focuses on strengthening the immune system to assist the body in fighting the disease.
Gene Therapy. Focuses on pinpointing and correcting the genetic defect that first allowed the tumor to develop.