Sarcomatous Mesothelioma | Asbestos Lung Mesothelioma and cancer ...

Another interesting study is called "Gefitinib in patients with Malignant Mesothelioma:A phase II study by the Cancer and Leukemia Group B "- Clinical Cancer Research March 2005 11,2300 by Ramaswamy Govindan,Robert A. Kratzke,James E. Herndon II,Gloria A. Niehans,Robin Vollmer,Dorothy Watson,Mark R. Green,Hedy L. Kindler and on behalf of the Cancer and Leukemia Group B. Here is an excerpt:"Abstract ?Purpose:The Cancer and Leukemia Group B conducted a phase II study of gefitinib,an inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase,in patients with previously untreated malignant mesothelioma. Experimental Design:Eligible patients had unresectable pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma,measurable disease,no prior therapy,performance status 0-1 and cancer and leukemia group B criteria. Gefitinib (500 mg po) was once one day administered for 21 days. Patients underwent restaging after every two cycles. Therapy was continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Results:The most common grade 3 toxicities were diarrhea (16%) and nausea (12%). Of the 43 patients enrolled,1 patient (2%) had a complete response,1 patient (2%) had a partial response,21 (49%) had stable disease for two to eight cycles,15 (35%) had progressive disease,and 5 (12%) had early death. Survival at one year was 32% [95% confidence interval (CI) 21-50%]. Median survival and failure-free survival was 6.8% (95% CI,3.5 to 10.3) and 2.6 months (95% CI,1.5-4.0),respectively. The 3-month non-free survival was 40% (95% CI,25-56%). EGFR expression score by immunohistochemistry performed in 28 patients were categorized as low (EGFR 1 + or 2 +) or high (3 + EGFR) expression:97% had EGFR on [deleted] 2 + or 3 +). The median and 3-month non-free survival was 3.6 months and 40% for patients with low EGFR expression compared to 8.1 and 40% for those with high EGFR expression. "

There were three postoperative complications (16%) for which a reoperation and postoperative mortality (5%). Intrapleural chemotherapy was well tolerated with no complications. Systemic Chemotherapy was poorly tolerated,and there was one chemotherapy-related death. Sixteen patients (84%) experienced good to excellent palliation. Three patients are currently living with no evidence of recurrent disease at 10,35,and 43 months. The median overall survival was 13 months and median disease-free survival of 11 months. The overall and disease-free survival 3 years were 17% and 22%,respectively. Patients with epithelial Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma had significantly better overall survival (p = 0.037) and disease-free survival (P = 0.02) than patients with sarcomatous or biphasic malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Another study called,"Cisplatin administered by the intracavitary pathway as a treatment for malignant mesothelioma "by Maurie Markman MD,Stephen Cleary PA-C Craig Pfeifle MD,Stephen B. Howell MD,Cancer Volume 58,Issue 1,pages 18-21,January July 1986. Here's an excerpt:"Abstract ?Twenty-one patients with malignant mesothelioma treated with an experimental chemotherapy regimen of weekly intracavitary intraperitoneal or intrapleural cisplatin (90-100 mg/m2) with simultaneous intravenous sodium thiosulfate delivered to protect against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. One of the eight patients (12.5%) who intrapleural therapy and nine of 13 patients who demonstrated objective evidence of intraperitoneal therapy,clinical response,including three surgically defined large tumor regressions (23%). Patients receiving intrapleural treatment had more advanced disease prior to therapy than those who intraperitoneal therapy. It was concluded that intraperitoneal cisplatin is an active treatment program for localized intra-Abdominal Mesothelioma. Additional testing of intrapleural cisplatin should be performed in a patient population with less advanced disease or after surgical debulking. "Cancer 58:18-21,1986.

We all owe a debt of gratitude to these fine researchers. If you found this interesting excerpts,read the studies in their entirety.

Source: http://www.ahealthweb.com/sarcomatous-mesothelioma/

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