Phase II study of pemetrexed in combination with carboplatin in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).
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.
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
D005971:Glutamates; D000068437:Pemetrexed; D006147:Guanine; D016190:Carboplatin