First-line chemotherapy with pemetrexed plus cisplatin for malignant peritoneal mesothelioma

Eriko Fujimoto1, Takashi Kijima1, Kozo Kuribayashi1

  • 1a Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine , Hyogo College of Medicine , Hyogo , Japan.

Abstract

Insights

First-line chemotherapy with pemetrexed and cisplatin shows significant activity in aggressive malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPeM). This treatment offers a high disease control rate and notable survival benefits, particularly for the wet-type MPeM.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Medical Research

Background:

  • Peritoneal mesothelioma exhibits varied treatment outcomes due to the presence of both borderline and aggressive malignant variants.
  • Aggressive malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPeM) requires distinct therapeutic strategies compared to pleural mesothelioma.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of first-line systemic chemotherapy using pemetrexed and cisplatin in patients with aggressive malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPeM).

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 24 patients with histologically confirmed MPeM treated with pemetrexed plus cisplatin.
  • Tumor response assessed using Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria.
  • 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) used for baseline metabolic assessment in a subset of patients.

Main Results:

  • An overall response rate of 45.8% and a disease control rate of 91.7% were observed.
  • Median progression-free survival was 11.0 months, and median overall survival was 15.8 months.
  • Wet-type MPeM demonstrated significantly longer survival (median 40.9 months) compared to other clinical types (median 15.5 months).

Conclusions:

  • Systemic pemetrexed plus cisplatin chemotherapy is an active treatment for aggressive malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPeM).
  • The effectiveness of this chemotherapy warrants further emphasis, especially when compared to cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC), given the 5-year survival rates for peritoneal mesothelioma.

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