Journal of thoracic oncology : official publication of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Pemetrexed alone or in combination with cisplatin in previously treated malignant pleural mesothelioma: outcomes from a phase IIIB expanded access program.
In a randomized phase III trial, pemetrexed plus cisplatin was associated with improved survival compared with cisplatin alone for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). However, there are limited data available on the efficacy of these and other chemotherapy regimens in patients who have received previous systemic chemotherapy. To gather additional efficacy and safety data of pemetrexed/cisplatin and pemetrexed alone in previously treated patients, we examined patients treated on the Eli Lilly and Company expanded access program (EAP). ⋯ The data from this EAP study suggest that patients with previously treated MPM can benefit from treatment with pemetrexed alone or in combination with cisplatin. The treatment is associated with acceptable toxicity.