title: Phase II study of pemetrexed in combination with carboplatin in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity and toxicity of pemetrexed and carboplatin combination as first-line chemotherapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with measurable advanced MPM and a zero to two Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) were enrolled. The schedule was pemetrexed 500 mg/m(2) in combination with carboplatin area under the curve 5, every 21 days. In all, 76 patients were treated. Median age was 65 years; median ECOG PS was zero.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Grade 3 hematological toxicity according to World Health Organization criteria was seen in 36 (47.3%) patients; grade 4 hematological toxicity in 5 (6.5%) patients. There were 16 (21%) partial responses and 3 (4%) complete responses, for an overall response rate of 19 (25%) [95% confidence interval (CI) 15.3-34.7]. In all, 29 (39%) (95% CI 28-48) patients reported stable disease. The median survival was estimated at 14 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This combination of carboplatin and pemetrexed is moderately active and the toxicity is acceptable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Novi Ligure Hospital, viale Giolitti, Novi Ligure (AL), Italy.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Castagneto
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Botta
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aitini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Spigno
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Degiovanni
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Alabiso
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muzio
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Carbone
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Buosi
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Galbusera
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Piccolini
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giaretto
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rebella
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mencoboni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005971:Glutamates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006147:Guanine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D020714:Maximum Tolerated Dose; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D000068437:Pemetrexed; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D011336:Probability; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005971:Glutamates; D000068437:Pemetrexed; D006147:Guanine; D016190:Carboplatin