The role of Alimta in the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma: an overview of preclinical and clinical trials.

摘要: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare tumor, but its annual incidence rapidly increasing. While most patients have locally advanced disease at presentation, to date there no proven standard chemotherapy for MPM that has shown increase survival in randomized studies. Therefore, the development of new therapeutic agents urgent this disease. Alimta novel, multitargeted antifolate with activity as single agent MPM. Recently, phase III trial showed combination cisplatin resulted significantly increased efficacy compared alone. In addition, vitamin supplementation reduced treatment associated toxicities apparent affect on activity. This review summarizes preclinical and clinical data define future role