Scientists in Japan have just published details of a case they say could be a key to the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Pleural mesothelioma is usually caused by exposure to asbestos affecting the membrane around the lungs. Although there is no cure for mesothelioma, a chemotherapy combination of two drugs, cisplatin and pemetrexed, also known as Alimta, are the usual treatment. Unfortunately, many patients cannot have high doses of cisplatin because of the danger of liver damage.
However, respiratory medicine specialists at Uji Tokushukai Medical Center in Japan say that there may be a solution to the problem by stopping the cisplatin but continue with pemetrexed. Dr. Takayuki Takeda and his team have cited the case of a 69 year old mesothelioma patient who saw a partial tumor response but developed signs of liver toxicity after receiving five cycles of cisplatin and pemetrexed.
According to their report in Internal Medicine, they then stopped the cisplatin but continued with 18 more cycles of permetrexed which produced what they called a “complete response’ and stopped the tumor’s growth.
The researchers concluded that this appears very promising and further investigation is urgently needed.
If you have been exposed to asbestos, and have developed an asbestos related disease such as mesothelioma, contact the Law Office of Brayton Purcell, LLP at (800) 598-0314 immediately. Or contact us online for a free consultation.
