Drugs / Medications I Alimta I Trial Details I Alimta vs. Taxotere I Side Effects

ALIMTA [ (pemetrexed) is now available on expanded access basis. The new drug ALIMTA will be available on an expanded access use for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma, which is a cancer usually associated with exposure to asbestos dust or fibers. On July 9, 2002 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agreed to place the drug ALIMTA in an expanded access program, which gives patients access to an agent that isn't yet commercially available, although the manufaturer is actively pursuing marketing approval. Eli Lilly is pursuing the approval of ALIMTA in combination with the drug cisplatin for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma, a deadly disease that causes tumors to grow in the linings of the lung, or pleura. Most Cancer patients live an average of six to nine months following the diagnosis. The company said results of a Phase III trial showed that cancer patients treated with ALIMTA and cisplatin combined lived longer, had less pain, and less shortness of breath, than patients treated with cisplatin alone. In the clinical trial, the most common drug side effect from cisplatin and ALIMTA was a decrease in infection- fighting white blood cells. Under the expanded access program, ALIMTA will be given free of charge to all lung cancer patients who meet medical eligibility requirements.

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L-NDDP (aroplatin). The intrapleural administration of this drug is intended to exceed the usefulness of other platinum drugs like Cisplatin that are limited by toxicity and drug resistance.

Endostatin. This drug has been shown to inhibit a lung tumor's ability to grow blood vessels without destroying other normal healthy cells. It works with angiostatin Lovastatin, A cholesterol drug shown to potentially inhibit the growth of new cancer cells.

Intrapleural interferon gamma. The anti-cancer drug, Interferon Gamma is directly administered into the affected area of the body.

Photodynamic therapy. Here light energy is used to destroy malignant cancer cells. Immunotherapy focuses on strengthening the immune system to assist the body in fighting disease and cancer.

Gene Therapy. This focuses on the pinpointing and correcting the genetic defect that first allowed the tumor to develop in the patient.

To learn more about all the new mesothelioma medications and clinical trials that are available, please call for a free information package 1-800-362-1479 or email us using the form below.