Systemic therapy options for malignant pleural mesothelioma beyond first-line therapy: a systematic review

The aim of this systematic review is to assess the evidence for the available 2nd/3rd line systemic therapies for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Eligible studies were obtained through appropriate databases and meetings abstracts search. A total of 29 studies were considered eligible for this review and it includes three Phase III studies, eighteen phase II studies and eight retrospective studies. For the Phase III studies, none have achieved an overall survival benefit; while for the Phase II studies, the majority have not achieved sufficient satisfactory outcome to justify advancement to Phase III studies. We believe that the best salvage treatment for MPM would be inclusion into appropriately designed clinical trials. In the absence of a clinical trial, gemcitabine and/or vinorelbine-based regimens could be considered. Moreover, pemetrexed re-challenge can be considered in selected pemetrexed-sensitive patients.