Mesothelioma chemotherapy tested in Japan

The theory that high levels of chemotherapy performed before other types of anti-cancer treatments are the precursor to a successful mesothelioma surgery is now under study in Japan.

Induction chemotherapy involves the administration of very high levels of chemotherapy drugs to serve as front-line cancer treatment eliminate as much cancer cells up front. This is expected to minimize if not immediately eliminate the need for more chemotherapy sessions or other types of treatment, reports Surviving Mesothelioma: A Patient’s Guide. 

Mesothelioma cancer can be very nasty that a mere chemotherapy cannot immediately destroy the cancer cells. However, Japanese researchers hypothesized that while it cannot totally eliminate the cell, this form of treatment can, in one way or another, weaken their resistance, thereby improve surgical outcomes.

The trial in Japan began in September 2012 and involves 24 newly-diagnosed patients whose malignant pleural mesothelioma with resectable (or operable) condition. The study aims to determine the “macroscopic complete resection rate,” or the success rate of removing mesothelioma tumor and the how much can be successfully removed whether pleurectomy/decortication or extrapleural pneumonectomy is used.

Pemetrexed (Alimta) and the platinum-based drug, cisplatin, two of the popular and powerful mesothelioma chemotherapy drug, are used. After induction chemotherapy, the patients will undergo pleurectomy/decortication (PD) or extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP).

During PD, much of the mesothelioma tumor is removed while “any remaining mesothelioma cells are scraped off other internal surfaces.”

For EPP, the primary tumor as well as the nearest lung, or the entire diaphragm, as well as other affected membranes, will be removed.

Aside from assessing the efficacy of each post-chemo surgery, the study will also compare the success of the surgeries, the complications involved, the response rate to chemotherapy, respiratory function after surgery, and the three-year survival rate after the therapy.