Limited efficacy of imatinib mesylate in malignant mesothelioma: A phase II trial
Monday, June 13th, 2005.
Lung Cancer. Volume 50, Issue 1, October 2005, Pages 83-86. Available online June 13, 2005. [Link]
Alexandre Mathya, Paul Baasb, Otilia Dalesioa and Nico van Zandwijkb
aBiometrics Department, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
bDepartment of Thoracic Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Abstract
Twenty-five patients with histologically proven malignant mesothelioma participated in a trial of imatinib mesylate (Glivec) with a starting dose of 400 mg per day taken orally, up to a maximal dose of 800 mg. No responses were observed in the patient group, while three patients showed prolonged (> 6 months) stabilization of disease. The median survival time was 398 days (range 88–840); the median time to progression was 63 days (range 29–275). Side effects of the medication were mild and included edema, nausea, constipation and diarrhea. We conclude that further investigation with monotherapy imatinib in mesothelioma is not warranted.
Glossary
- side effects
- effects of treatment (other than the effects on the cancer) such as hair loss caused by chemotherapy, and fatigue caused by radiation therapy.
- oncology
- (on-call-o-jee) the branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
- edema
- (eh-deem-uh) build-up of fluid in the tissues, causing swelling. Edema of the arm can occur after radical mastectomy, axillary dissection of lymph nodes, or radiation therapy.
- cancer
- malignancy; a group of diseases typified by abnormal, generally out-of-control, cell growth.
- mesothelioma
- a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue, such as the peritoneum (lining the abdomen) or pleura (lining the lungs). More on mesothelioma.
