Sequential chemotherapy with cisplatin/gemcitabine (CG) followed by mitoxantrone/methotrexate/mitomycin (MMM) in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. A multicenter Italian Phase II Study (SITMP1).

Purpose: We performed a multicenter phase II trial to evaluate the impact on the activity, efficacy, symptom control and safety of using two active regimens in a sequential schedule (cisplatin/gemcitabine followed by mitoxantrone/methotrexate/mitomycin) as first-line chemotherapy for unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).

Patients And Methods: A total of 54 patients received cisplatin 75 mg/m(2) on day 1 and gemcitabine 1,200 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8, every 3 weeks for four courses (CG regimen) followed by mitoxantrone 10 mg/m(2) on day 1, methotrexate 35 mg/m(2) on day 1 and mitomycin 7 mg/m(2) on day 1, every 3 weeks with mitomycin in alternate cycles for four courses (MMM regimen).

Results: We observed 3 complete responses (CRs) (5.

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma.

Background: The clinical characteristics of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma are not fully known, and it appears as a variable entity with different types of clinical presentation and with a difficult diagnosis.

Patients: Fifteen patients with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma were analyzed for asbestos exposure, clinical presentation, thrombocytosis, X-rays and echotomographic findings, peritoneal fluid cytology, surgical investigations, diagnosis in vita, therapy, cause of death, diagnosis time, and survival time.

Results: Asbestos exposure was present in 12 men.

Gemcitabine combined with carboplatin in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma: a multicentric phase II study.

Background: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is increasing rapidly worldwide. Currently, pemetrexed plus cisplatin chemotherapy showed a survival advantage versus cisplatin alone. No impact on patient survival of surgery, radiotherapy, or their combination has been demonstrated.