Genes Predict Mesothelioma Treatment Response
University of Chicago researchers have released the results of genetic studies they hope will shed some light on why some mesothelioma patients respond well to pemetrexed (Alimta) while others do not. In 2004, pemetrexed was the first medicine approved by the FDA specifically for the treatment of malignant mesothelioma. It has since also been approved for the treatment for small cell lung cancer. While it has been hailed as a breakthrough mesothelioma drug, and has become the gold standard for chemotherapeutic treatment of the disease, pemetrexed also has many serious side effects including low white blood cell counts, low blood platelets, anemia, fatigue and nausea. In addition, pemetrexed does not work for all mesothelioma patients. The ability to predict which patients are…