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Mesothelioma Articles

ALIMTA Plus Gemcitabine as Front-Line Chemotherapy for Patients with Malignant Pleural or Peritoneal Mesothelioma - Lung Cancer

June 23, 2004

The Purpose of the Trial
This clinical trial is for people who have advanced malignant pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma. The purpose of this trial is to see if the study drugs, alimta and gemcitabine, have any effect on your cancer. For example, will these drugs cause your tumor(s) to shrink or stop growing? The purpose is also to gather more information on how safe the drugs are in humans. This is a Phase II clinical trial. Phase II trials evaluate how well an experimental drug or drug combination works at treating the cancer. During this phase, researchers also test the safety of the drug and what side effects occur.

Description of the Trial
This trial involves taking two drugs called alimta and gemcitabine. Alimta is not FDA-approved. Therefore, it is considered to be experimental in this study. Study doctors hope to find out how this drug affects your body and your cancer. Gemcitabine is FDA-approved and is often used to treat your type of cancer.

Description of Study Treatment
If you are eligible and choose to participate, you will receive gemcitabine on days 1 and 8 of every cycle. One cycle is 21 days. You will also get alimta on day 8 (before gemcitabine) of every cycle. You can receive up to six cycles of chemotherapy depending on how you respond to the study treatment. While you¿re on this study, you could undergo blood tests and physical exams. You could also undergo CT scans so that the study doctors can measure the extent of your cancer.

Description of Study Treatment TimelineYour study treatment is expected to last as long as you benefit from the study drug for a maximum of 6 cycles. Participation in this trial will last for:· As long as your tumor responds and there are no serious side effects· Until you choose to withdraw

Contact Information
Brigham & Womans Hospital
   Dana-Farber/Brigham & Women's Hospital Cancer Center
   1-866-790-4500
   75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA

Source: Brigham & Women's Hospital

***Please note that the clinical trials listed on this page have additional specific requirements. Call contacts listed for each trial for more detailed information.