Extending survival and improving patient quality of life is what mesothelioma experts strive for, but researchers are still learning the nuances of how different approaches impact that goal. A recent study conducted by Japanese oncologists has revealed that patients have better results from second-line chemotherapy when their first-line therapy includes a greater number of dosing rounds.
Mesothelioma Treatments Vary Based on Patient, Facility, and Other Factors
When determining the appropriate first-line treatment for an individual mesothelioma patient, physicians take several things into consideration. These include the patient’s condition and the degree to which their cancer has spread, as well as what chemotherapy medications the physicians have had the most success with in treating other patients.
In most cases, first-line treatment for mesothelioma includes chemotherapy, with different patients receiving different numbers of rounds. When their cancer eventually comes back many go on to have a second-line treatment, though physicians have found varying degrees of success. Researchers from the National Cancer Center Hospital in Tokyo evaluated these outcomes to see whether there were differences in treatment between patients for whom second-line treatment was successful.
Difference in Mesothelioma Outcomes Found with Greater Number of Dosing Rounds
The physicians found that among 54 peritoneal mesothelioma patients treated between 2007 and 2019, there were 26 who went on to have second-line treatment. A deeper analysis revealed that of those 26, those who received six or more rounds of Alimta as a first-line treatment for their asbestos-related cancer lived longest.
Commenting on their findings, researcher Rui Kitadai said, “Second-line chemotherapy may be an option for refractory malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, especially in patients who have completed 6 cycles of platinum plus pemetrexed as first-line chemotherapy.”
The more that is understood about how mesothelioma patients respond to treatment, the better the chance that future patients will survive longer and enjoy higher quality of life. For information on other resources available to you, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today at 1-800-692-8608.
