Use of pemetrexed with or without platin in malignant pleural mesothelioma in Italy

19103 Background: This study evaluated the effects of pemetrexed(P)single agent or combined with cisplatin(CI)or carboplatin(CA)in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.The results of Italian patients within the Expanded Access Program of P are presented. Methods: Chemotherapy-naive or previously-treated patients not eligible for curative surgery and with adequate organ function, received P 500 mg/m2combined with CI 75 mg/m2(P/CI,option 1),as single agent(P,option 2)or combined with CA at an AUC of 5 mg/mL-min(P/CA,option 3),all given i.v. every 21 days together with folic acid and vitamin B12. Results: A total of 1032 patients(275 P/CI,375 P and 382 P/CA)were treated(mean age 64.1years).886(253 P/CI, 292 P and 341 P/CA)were eenrolledvaluable for efficacy (48.6% with performance status ≥90). 26.8The following table shows the results of best response [n, (%)]. The one-year survival rate was 67.5%(95% C.I.46.2–88.9)with P/CI,75.0%(66.9–83.0)with P and 73.9%(59.3–88.4)with P/CA.The median number of cy...