Alimta

In February 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new drug called Alimta® that offers new hope for victims of mesothelioma. Doctors have found that patients using Alimta® along with the anti-cancer drug cisplatin experienced measurable improvement in their symptoms, including less pain and shortness of breath. Trials also indicate that patients who use this treatment may live up to 30% longer. Alimta can provide a new hope for patients with advanced mesothelioma where surgery is not an option.

Alimta must be administered with vitamin B-12 and folic acid supplementation to decrease the incidence and severity of adverse effects.