Study Results Promise Quality of Life Improvements for Mesothelioma Patients Suffering Side Effects from Carboplatin

Carboplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapy that is frequently used in the treatment of malignant mesothelioma. Like other chemotherapeutic drugs, it works by targeting rapidly dividing cells. Though this is effective at stopping the spread of cancer, it also affects healthy cells and leads to uncomfortable and sometimes debilitating side effects. Japanese researchers have identified an effective triple therapy they say treats the worse of these side effects, providing significant improvements in quality of life.

Triple Therapy Treatment of Carboplatin-Induced Nausea May Help Mesothelioma Patients

Carboplatin received FDA approval for treatment of cancer in 1986 and is frequently used in combination with the drug pemetrexed to treat mesothelioma. The researchers, representing several esteemed Japanese institutions, recruited fifty patients being treated with carboplatin for a variety of thoracic malignancies to participate in their study. 

Though none of the patients included had malignant mesothelioma, they had been reporting nausea and vomiting in response to treatment with carboplatin. The patients were dosed with a combination of low-dose olanzapine plus granisetron and dexamethasone. The combination was shown to be both effective and safe, reducing carboplatin-induced nausea and vomiting. 

Research Provides New Option for Mesothelioma Patients

The successful use of the olanzapine combination may soon lead to mesothelioma patients receiving the triple therapy in place of the standard antiemetic currently in use, as it is safe, effective, inexpensive and easily available. It had previously been found effective but also sedating, but researchers found that the low dose in the triple therapy improved nausea and achieved a complete response rate in 94% of patients. Though nausea and vomiting still continued and peaked on days 3 and 4 of treatment, 44% of the patients involved in the study reported satisfaction and 38% said they were “very satisfied” with the results.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, finding ways to relieve their discomfort is an essential part of their treatment. For information on other remedies and treatments that may be helpful, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today at 1-800-692-8608.

Written by Terri Oppenheimer

Terri Heimann Oppenheimer is the head writer of our Mesothelioma.net news blog. She graduated from the College of William and Mary with a degree in English. Terri believes that knowledge is power and she is committed to sharing news about the impact of mesothelioma, the latest research and medical breakthroughs, and victims’ stories.

Learn more about and contact Terri