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Other Mesothelioma Drugs

In addition to Alimta® and Cisplatin, the two most commonly used chemotherapy drugs for pleural mesothelioma, Carboplatin, Gemcitabine, Onconase® and Navelbine® are medications that may be used for the treatment of malignant mesothelioma. Every treatment regimen is designed specifically for each mesothelioma patient and a number of health issues will determine which medications are going to be used. Such conditions to be considered include the stage of the cancer, symptoms and the overall general health of the patient.

Carboplatin, which is a modified form of Cisplatin, is a medication that has shown to be successful in treating mesothelioma patients. The medication was first introduced in the late 1980s. It works by killing cancerous cells after preventing them from dividing and functioning normally. In most cases, the drug is administered once every 28 days unless the patient requires more frequent treatment.

Gemcitabine is another chemotherapy drug sometimes used to treat pleural mesothelioma. This medication is often used to treat pancreatic, bladder and breast cancers as well. Gemcitabine works by killing cancerous cells and disrupting DNA replication in other cells. Most patients receive Gemcitabine once a week for a seven-week period, but a patient’s overall health will ultimately impact the strength and length of the treatment.

Onconase®, also known as Ranpirnase and P-30 protein, has been proven to kill mesothelioma cells while sparing normal cells throughout the body. Onconase® is derived from the eggs and early embryos of the northern leopard frog. It is also an enzyme that increases the speed of another enzyme which specializes in the breakdown of RNA.

Navelbine®, also known as vinorelbine, has been used to treat mesothelioma because of its ability to kill cancerous cells and slow down metastasis. It is often used in combination with additional treatments such as surgery and is usually administered once a week for several weeks. Treatment has shown to be successful and each dosage can take between 30 minutes to an hour to be administered.

While additional medications may be used for the treatment of mesothelioma cancer, these drugs have demonstrated a high success rate among patients. Patients can search for other treatment options through clinical trials, which test newly developed drugs or methods that have not become a standard treatment regimen. Clinical trials are a vital part of finding a cure for pleural mesothelioma and patients should consult with their doctor for help in finding a trial for their needs.

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