The introduction of new agents with definite antitumor activity has begun to reverse the therapeutic nihilism regarding chemotherapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma. A phase II multicenter, international trial is evaluating single-agent Alimta in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Response is the primary objective.
Secondary objectives include time to progression, toxicity, clinical benefit response, and survival. Dexamethasone is administered for prevention of rash. Restaging CT scans are obtained every 2 cycles. The expected toxicities are rash, myelosuppression, and diarrhea. This trial has entered the second stage of accrual and is expected to be completed by the time of this presentation.