A large, recent, multicenter study has found that people with mesothelioma survive nearly three months longer if their mesothelioma is treated with a combination of chemotherapy drugs than if they are treated with one alone.

The study confirmed the benefits of the combination of the two chemo drugs, cisplatin and pemetrexed when taken with folic acid and B12 supplements to help reduce the chemo side effects.

Study Results

The researchers looked at data from a clinical trial that took place in 20 health care centers around the world. Eighty-one percent of the patients who participated in the study were men. The patients’ average age was 61.

In the study, patients who received the cisplatin and pemetrexed combination with the added B12 and folic acid supplements survived an average of 2.8 months longer than those who received only cisplatin.

The research team, led by John Green, M.D. at England’s Clatterbridge Center for Oncology, reviewed a study of 448 advanced mesothelioma patients who received either the two-drug combo, or just the cisplatin.

“Pemetrexed used in combination with cisplatin significantly increases the length of survival, when compared with cisplatin alone,” the researchers said. “Further research is needed into the optimum treatment regimen for pleural mesothelioma.”

An Added Bonus

In addition to living longer, the patients that were given the chemo combo also reported an improved quality of life, based on levels of fatigue, pain, loss of appetite, and coughing.

The improved quality of life was attributed to the vitamins and supplements they were given in combination with the chemo drugs. Without the supplements, those given permetrexed experienced severe toxicity symptoms including blood cell abnormalities, diarrhea, nausea, and death.

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