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Drugs and Medication for Mesothelioma What follows is a
list of mesothelioma medications. Please contact us directly for the most updated mesothelioma drug information.
ALIMTA
(pemetrexed) is now available on expanded access basis. ALIMTA will be available on an expanded access use for people with
malignant pleural mesothelioma, a cancer usually associated with exposure to asbestos. As of July 9, 2002 the Food and Drug
Administration agreed to place ALIMTA in an expanded access program, which gives patients access to an agent that isn't yet
commercially available, although the sponsor is actively pursuing marketing approval. Eli Lilly is pursuing approval of ALIMTA
in combination with cisplatin for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma, a disease that causes tumors to grow in the
linings of the lung, or pleura. Patients live an average of six to nine months following diagnosis. The company said results of
a Phase III trial showed that patients treated with ALIMTA and cisplatin combined lived longer and had less pain and shortness
of breath, than patients treated with cisplatin alone. In the trial, the most common side effect from cisplatin and ALIMTA was a
decrease in infection- fighting white blood cells. Under the expanded access program, ALIMTA will be given free of charge to
patients who meet medical eligibility requirements.
L-NDDP (aroplatin). Intrapleural administration is intended to
exceed the usefulness of other platinum drugs like Cisplatin that are limited by toxicity and drug resistance.
Endostatin. Has been shown to inhibit a tumor's ability to grow blood vessels without destroying normal healthy cells. Works
with angiostatin. Lovastatin. A cholesterol drug shown to potentially inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Intrapleural
interferon gamma. The anti-cancer drug, Interferon Gamma is directly administered into the affected area.
Photodynamic
therapy. Light energy is used to destroy cancer cells. Immunotherapy. Focuses on strengthening the immune system to assist the
body in fighting the disease.
Gene Therapy. Focuses on pinpointing and correcting the genetic defect that first allowed
the tumor to develop.
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