Pemetrexed combined with cisplatin or carboplatin shows promise as a treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma

The results of a recent medical study confirmed results from earlier studies demonstrating that the chemotherapy drug pemetrexed combined with either cisplatin or carboplatin showed promise as a treatment for previously untreated, inoperable pleural mesothelioma. Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a form of cancer associated with exposure to asbestos.The study, which was reported at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting being held in Chicago, was derived from data on 1,704 mesothelioma patients who were among the more than 3,000 patients worldwide who received pemetrexed alone or in combination with a platinum agent such as cisplatin or carboplatin. Pemetrexed is known by the brand name Alimta in the U.S. and other countries.