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Chemotherapy management of malignant pleural mesothelioma: a phase II study comparing two popular chemotherapy regimens

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this prospective, phase II clinical study is to evaluate the activity of gemcitabine and cisplatin in comparison to pemetrexed and carboplatin in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Patients and methods

The patients were recruited from May 2008 to May 2011. One group included 21 cases who received cisplatin and gemcitabine. The other group included 19 cases who received pemetrexed and carboplatin.

Results

Response is superior in the pemetrexed group (p = 0.041). The median follow-up was 18 months (range 6–30 months). Cumulative survival at 1.5 years was 57.8 % for the pemetrexed carboplatin group. For the gemcitabine cisplatin group, the cumulative survival proportion at 1.5 years was 41 % (p = 0.0599).

Conclusions

Pemetrexed plus carboplatin are a step forward in the treatment of mesothelioma, the prognosis for these patients remains poor. Cheaper combinations as gemcitabine and cisplatin may be considered sufficient to treat cases with advanced mesothelioma.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Oncology, Cairo University Faculty of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt

    E. E. Habib & E. S. Fahmy

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  1. E. E. Habib
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  2. E. S. Fahmy
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Correspondence to E. E. Habib.

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Habib, E.E., Fahmy, E.S. Chemotherapy management of malignant pleural mesothelioma: a phase II study comparing two popular chemotherapy regimens. Clin Transl Oncol 15, 965–968 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12094-013-1015-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12094-013-1015-3

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