[Gemcitabine improved QOL and survival in a case of diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma].

Abstract

Diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma is a disease with poor prognosis, and no standard therapy for inoperable cases has been established. There are several reported trials using various anticancer drugs, but their sample sizes were small and none documented the drugs' effectiveness. Recently, some reports revealed that gemcitabine (GEM), which has been demonstrated to be effective for the treatment of non-small cell lung carcinoma, was effective in cases of diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma. We also treated a 76-year-old female patient with inoperable, biphasic malignant pleural mesothelioma in whom monotherapy with GEM 1,000 mg/m2 was continued leading to improved QOL and survival for 2 years. Though diagnostic imaging indicated SD (stable disease), a high efficacy was observed in terms of reduced subjective symptoms such as a feeling of difficulty in breathing and pain. It is suggested that GEM is a potentially effective drug for the improvement of QOL in inoperable cases of diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma.

• Authors: Osamu Kawamata, Masashi Uda, Masanobu Mori, Naozumi Urakubo, Ryousuke Hamano, Tamotsu Oota
• Journal: Gan to kagaku ryoho. Cancer & chemotherapy (Gan To Kagaku Ryoho) Vol. 30 Issue 4 Pg. 551-4 (Apr 2003) ISSN: 0385-0684 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 12722691 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
• Deoxycytidine
• Gemcitabine

Topics

• Aged
• Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic (administration & dosage)
• Deoxycytidine (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives)
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Female
• Humans
• Mesothelioma (drug therapy, psychology)
• Pleural Neoplasms (drug therapy, psychology)
• Prognosis
• Quality of Life
• Survivors
• Gemcitabine