Type of Chemotherapy Drugs for Mesothelioma
Chemotherapy drugs are anti-cancer drugs that work separately or in combination with each other and other types of cancer treatments to eliminate cancer, control cancer, or relieve its symptoms.
Clinical trials are routinely being conducted to improve upon existing treatments, test new drugs or combinations of treatments, and ways to make the drugs easier and more convenient to take (for example, taking an oral pill rather than intravenously).
Research currently being conducted in chemotherapy includes:
- Overcoming drug resistance with other drugs
- Finding ways to overcome drug resistance by testing combinations of drugs
- Improving doses and schedules
- Nanotechnology to deliver chemotherapy
- Combining radiation therapy and chemotherapy
While on any chemotherapy drug for mesothelioma, it’s extremely important to keep all appointments with your doctor and for blood tests.
Before beginning or receiving medical treatments, tests will be ordered to make sure it is safe to proceed with treatment.
While receiving medical treatment, tests will also be ordered during and after to make sure the body is not rejecting treatment or experiencing serious side effects. Doctors may stop or delay treatment if certain side effects become present to maintain the health of the patient.
For all treatment options, make sure to speak with your doctor as survival rates vary.
Survival rates may depend on the following factors:
- Gender and age
- Overall health
- Stage and type of cancer
- Genetics and medical history
Any drug included in the chemotherapy process can interact with other medicines or herbal products. Make sure to tell your medical professionals about any medicines, herbal supplements, over the counter remedies, or vitamins you are currently taking.
Alimta
Alimta, otherwise known as pemetrexed disodium, is an FDA-approved medication that works to block the actions of substances in the body that encourage cancer cell multiplication.
While on Alimta, it’s important to keep all appointments with labs and doctors to check and maintain the body’s response to all medicines currently being used.
Several Alimta clinical studies are available if current treatment is not recommended by doctors. Before looking into clinical trials, make sure to consult with your doctor to verify you qualify.
Studies being conducted include research on discovering the different treatment effects of Alimta for use with other medications, radiation therapy, maintenance therapy, surgery, and other techniques.
Typical results of using Alimta with other medications or in tandem with other treatment options have been positive.
When comparing Alimta alone versus in use with other medicinal treatments like Cisplatin (see below), results increase greatly, and growth rates of tumors decrease significantly.
Possible side effects of Alimta may include:
- Headaches
- Weakness
- Tiredness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Anemia
- Constipation
- Depression
- Changes in mood
- Joint or muscle pain
- Fast heartbeat
- Difficulty staying/falling asleep
Cisplatin
FDA-approved Cisplatin forms charged, highly reactive, platinum complexes in the body that bind to nucleophilic groups in DNA.
The reaction of Cisplatin works in cross-links (a chemical bond between chains of atoms in the body) to help stop the growth of cancerous cells or encourage the death of these cancerous cells.
Possible side effects of Cisplatin may include:
- Fatigue and weakness
- Loss of appetite, change in taste, mouth sores
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation
- Low blood cell counts
- Injury to the kidneys or liver
- Hearing loss or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Nerve damage in the fingertips and toes (neuropathy)
- Hair loss
- Allergic reaction
Gemcitabine
An antimetabolite, Gemcitabine is an FDA-approved drug that is injected into the vein weekly for the length of treatment as prescribed by doctors.
It enters the body resembling a normal cell nutrient that cancer cells require to keep growing. As a look-alike, it is “ingested” by the cancer cells and interferes with their growth.
Several clinical trials are being conducted on the effects and usage of Gemcitabine alone and with other treatment options.
Possible side effects of Gemcitabine may include:
- Flu-like symptoms
- Fever
- Fatigue and weakness
- Poor appetite, mouth sores
- Rash
- Low blood cell counts
- Diarrhea
- Hair loss
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty sleeping
Carboplatin
Carboplatin is a chemotherapy drug that interferes with the development of the genetic material in the DNA and cells, which stops the cancer from dividing into two new cells before causing them to die.
FDA-approved, it is given intravenously, and both the dose and schedule given will be tailored to each individual’s needs. Some treatments may be given directly into the peritoneal cavity in the abdomen.
Possible side effects of Carboplatin may include:
- Fatigue and weakness
- Poor appetite or taste changes
- Mouth sores
- Hair loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Low blood cell
- Hearing loss
- Allergic reaction
Bevacizumab
Bevacizumab, otherwise known as Avastin, is an FDA-approved antibody that targets and blocks the growth of blood vessels that the cancer needs to receive nutrients to grow. Bevacizumab is typically given in combination with other chemotherapy drugs.
Possible side effects of bevacizumab may include:
- Fatigue and weakness
- Poor appetite, weight loss, mouth sores
- Abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Shortness of breath
- Low blood cell counts
- Infection risks
- Bleeding risks
- High blood pressure
- Protein spilling into urine
- Hair loss
- Muscle aches and pains
Onconase
Undergoing clinical trial testing, Onconase is relatively new, and studies are working to determine its level of effectiveness in treating mesothelioma.
Onconase inhibits cellular growth, speeding up the breakdown of ribonucleic acid (RNA), and initiating death in cancerous cells. It also enhances the anti-cancer effect of traditional treatments for mesothelioma chemotherapy.
Though Onconase is one of many new chemotherapy drug options in clinical testing, initial clinical studies may suggest it could be a better treatment option than traditional chemotherapy drugs. This is because it produces few of the side effects commonly experienced during chemotherapy.
Onconase currently holds an orphan drug status by the FDA, which means that it is intended to treat diseases so rare that pharmaceutical companies are not likely to develop them under unusual market conditions or limited potential for profitability.
Navelbine
Mainly used in clinical trials to date, Navelbine (Vinorelbine) is an FDA-approved anti-cancer drug that works by interfering with genes and stops the cells from reproducing.
Possible side effects of Navelbine may include:
- Low blood cell counts
- Nausea or vomiting
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Muscle weakness
- Hair loss
- Nerve damage in toes and fingers
Several clinical trials are being conducted on the effects and usage of Navelbine alone and with other treatment options.