Alimta® is the first FDA-approved mesothelioma chemotherapy drug. Also known as Pemetrexed, Alimta® is designed to treat patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma who are unable to undergo surgery to remove the cancerous tissue.
Originally developed in 2000, Alimta® was quickly hailed as a “huge breakthrough” by mesothelioma specialists. It works by interfering with the enzymes that are essential for growth and production of mesothelioma cancer cells. In clinical trials, tumor size decreased in half of the patients treated with Alimta®. Patients also experienced significant relief from their mesothelioma symptoms.
Alimta® is not usually administered alone; it is most often used in conjunction with Cisplatin, another chemotherapy drug that was first approved in 1978. Together, both drugs have been shown to extend the life of mesothelioma patients. They are also helpful in controlling breathing difficulties, discomfort, and other mesothelioma symptoms.
Alimta® was developed with mesothelioma patients in mind, but you will need to ask your doctor whether or not you are a good candidate for chemotherapy treatment with Alimta® and Cisplatin.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, please contact The Law Office of Brown | Kiely, LLP today or call (410) 625-9330 to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our experienced Baltimore mesothelioma lawyers. We represent victims of asbestos exposure in Maryland, Washington D.C., and surrounding areas.
