title: Pemetrexed plus carboplatin or cisplatin as neoadjuvant treatment of operable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was the retrospective evaluation of tolerability and activity of pemetrexed with carboplatin (AC) or cisplatin (AP) as neoadjuvant chemotherapy in a consecutive series of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with operable MPM received three cycles of AC or AP followed by surgery and radiotherapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Since 2005, 51 patients have been treated with AC (27) and AP (24). We observed higher incidence of grade 3 anaemia, cumulative grade 2-3 asthenia and worsening of performance status in the AP group. Response to AC and AP were; complete: 4% vs. 0%, partial: 18% vs. 17%, stable disease: 74% vs. 79%, progressive disease: 4%; the resection rate was 81% vs. 79%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AC and AP are active and feasible neoadjuvant regimens. Progression-free survival, response, disease control and resection rate were similar in the two treatment groups. The lower tolerability to AP treatment could impair the clinical condition of patients undergoing surgery.
authors.affiliation: Via Gattamelata 64, 35128, Padua, Italy. giulia.pasello@ioveneto.it
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pasello
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marulli
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Polo
authors.forename: Cristiano
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Breda
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bonanno
authors.forename: Lucio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Loreggian
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rea
authors.forename: Adolfo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Favaretto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005971:Glutamates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006147:Guanine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D000068437:Pemetrexed; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D005971:Glutamates; D000068437:Pemetrexed; D006147:Guanine; D016190:Carboplatin; D002945:Cisplatin