Gemcitabine Docetaxel

New treatment options

The currently offered treatment for mesothelioma patients through the standard chemotherapy includes pemetrexed and cisplatin or a combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin.The scientists in Greece have recently tested the effectiveness of combining docetaxel and gemcitabine for the proper treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Asbestos exposure and pleural mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is an uncommon cancer which grows and develops in the lining of the lungs. The main cause of this illness is asbestos exposure and those who suffer from this particular cancer have often worked in certain industries ranging from construction sites to shipyards to power and chemical plants.

A person might have been asbestos exposed several decades ago and he or she is still at great risk for developing mesothelioma as the usual latency period for symptoms to clearly arise can reach 50 years. Those who have the previously history as worked in industrial settings are encouraged immediately to seek regular routine medical through checkups for signs of asbestos exposure. Any sign of symptoms and general change or weakness of health shouldn’t be taken lightly in the initial stage. A consultation with doctor is the need of the hour so that proper mesothelioma diagnosis and prognosis can be made related to the diseases. Taking up treatment at the final or matured stage will not be much helpful to cure the diseases and increase the complications related to the diseases.

Research with drugs

The researchers belonging to the Athens University School of Medicine are trying their level best to find out whether the combination of docetaxel and gemcitabine is more or less efficient and effective than current standard mesothelioma treatment options. In order to test the mesothelioma chemotherapy option, nearly 25 patients suffering with malignant pleural mesothelioma were examined and studied throughout the period of a mesothelioma clinical trial. According to this clinical trial, the treatment of docetaxel and gemcitabine was given to the mesothelioma patients on the 1st and 14th day of a 28-day cycle for nearly six months or until the cancer spread to other organs.

• Seven of the 25 patients responded positively to the given treatment and their large tumors shrunk in size.
• There was no change for 14 patients.
• The rest of the remaining four patients really experienced an increase in the size and mass of their tumors.

The tests did indicate that gemcitabine combined with docetaxel may provide a beneficial treatment method for some mesothelioma patients.

Please contact  the mesothelioma specialists for more information!