Alimta® and Platinol® (cisplatin)

The only phase III randomized study of chemotherapy agents for treating mesothelioma was the comparison of Alimta® combined with Platinol® (cisplatin) to cisplatin alone. In this study, 456 patients participated from April 1999 to March 2001. Some patients received the combination Alimta® and cisplatin and others were given cisplatin alone. Patients who received the Alimta®/cisplatin combination lived longer (twelve months as opposed to nine months) and experienced a longer span of time before the cancer progressed. The results were further improved for patients who received a vitamin supplementation of B12 and folic acid. In addition, patients who were given the Alimta®/cisplatin combination reported an improvement in their quality of life and relief from symptoms (such as pain, shortness of breath, cough, fatigue and weight loss).