Gemcitabine combined with oxaliplatin in pretreated patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma: an observational study
2008

Gemcitabine and Oxaliplatin for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Sample size: 29 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Athanasios Xanthopoulos, Torsten Bauer, Torsten Blum, Jens Kollmeier, Nicolas Schönfeld, Monika Serke

Primary Institution: HELIOS Klinikum Emil von Behring, Berlin, Germany

Hypothesis

The study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of oxaliplatin combined with gemcitabine in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma pretreated with pemetrexed.

Conclusion

Patients with relapsed malignant pleural mesothelioma may benefit from treatment with oxaliplatin and gemcitabine without significant toxicity.

Supporting Evidence

  • The median overall survival was 71.7 weeks.
  • Partial response was observed in 6.9% of patients.
  • The disease control rate was 44.8%.

Takeaway

This study looked at how well two cancer drugs work together for patients with a specific type of lung cancer that didn't respond to earlier treatment. It found that the combination can help some patients without causing serious side effects.

Methodology

The study enrolled consecutive patients with relapsed malignant pleural mesothelioma who were pretreated with a platin-pemetrexed-based chemotherapy and received oxaliplatin and gemcitabine in a structured regimen.

Limitations

The study's observational design and the heterogeneity of the patient population limit the generalizability of the results.

Participant Demographics

{"median_age":65,"gender_distribution":{"male":27,"female":2},"WHO_performance_status":{"0":5,"1":18,"2":3,"3":3},"asbestos_exposure":{"yes":17,"no":1,"not_defined":11}}

Statistical Information

Confidence Interval

{"overall_survival":"30.6–243.3 weeks","time_to_tumor_progression":"3.0–67.6 weeks"}

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1745-6673-3-34

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