Due to recent advances in cancer treatment, especially in the field of immunotherapy, chemotherapy treatment options for mesothelioma have taken a back seat. However, this type of treatment continues to be an important tool in the treatment and management of mesothelioma.
In this episode of MesoTV, Michael Offin, MD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, takes us through a number of chemotherapy combinations. He describes each treatment, the treatment agents used, side effects, and side effect management.
Some of the regimens and topics discussed include:
- Alimta/cisplatin, also known as pemetrexed/cisplatin(um)
- Avastin, also known as bevacizumab
- Determining the dosing
- Pre-treatment with Vitamin B-12, folic acid, decadron
- Carboplatin as an alternative to cisplatin
- Neulasta, also known as GCSF, injection or onpro device
- Gemcitabine (Gemzar)/ramucirumab (Cyramza)
- Vinorelbine (navelbine) with or without gemcitabine
Chemotherapy for mesothelioma was approved as first line treatment in 2004. Specifically, the combination of drugs called Alimta (pemetrexed) plus cisplatin, demonstrated better survival than cisplatin alone. For 16 years, chemotherapy was the only approved treatment for mesothelioma. In 2020, the FDA also approved the combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab (immunotherapy).
Our Sponsors
MesoTV is a program by the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. This program is made possible by our generous sponsors: Belluck & Fox; Maune Raichle Hartley French & Mudd, LLC (MRHFM); Polaris Pharmaceutical, Bristol Myers Squibb; The Gori Law Firm
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