Phase II Trial of Cisplatin and Vinorelbine as First-line Therapy in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Abstract

The aim of the current study is to focus on treatment response in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (mPm) treated with combination chemotherapy using cisplatin plus vinorelbine. Secondary endpoints included, toxicity, progression-free and overall survival. Patients and Methods: This prospective study included 26 patients with histologically proven unresectable mPm treated at Kasr El-Aini Center of Clinical Oncology and Nuclear medicine (NEmROCK) from march 2003 to August 2004. Patients were assigned to receive cisplatin 75mg/m 2 on day one and vinorelbine 25mg/m 2 on days one and 8 every three weeks. Results: All 26 patients had measurable disease and were assessed for response. Six patients had partial response (23%), 14 patients had stable disease (54%), and six patients had disease progression on therapy (23%). Toxicity was acceptable and no treatment-related deaths occurred. The median progression-free survival was 5.15 months and the median overall survival for was 10.3 months, with a 42.3% one-year survival. Conclusion: Cisplatin-vinorelbine combination is an effectve regimen for management of malignant pleural mesothelioma with a tolerable toxicity profile. Further studies with a larger number of patients is necessary.