Gemcitabine and Epirubicin in Treating Patients With Malignant Mesothelioma
Malignant Mesothelioma
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Malignant Mesothelioma focused on measuring localized malignant mesothelioma, advanced malignant mesothelioma, recurrent malignant mesothelioma
Eligibility Criteria
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed malignant pleural mesothelioma At least 1 measurable lesion that can be accurately measured in at least one dimension At least 20 mm (2 cm) in diameter PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) AST no greater than 3 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular: LVEF at least 50% No history of congestive heart failure No New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease Other: No uncontrolled infection No other severe underlying disease that would preclude study participation No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, noninvasive carcinomas, or localized prostate cancer Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 6 months after study participation PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Chemotherapy: No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen for malignant pleural mesothelioma No prior gemcitabine or anthracyclines Other: No concurrent cimetidine
Sites / Locations
- MBCCOP - Gulf Coast
- CCOP - Mayo Clinic Scottsdale Oncology Program
- Mayo Clinic - Jacksonville
- CCOP - Illinois Oncology Research Association
- CCOP - Carle Cancer Center
- CCOP - Cedar Rapids Oncology Project
- CCOP - Iowa Oncology Research Association
- Siouxland Hematology-Oncology
- CCOP - Wichita
- CCOP - Ochsner
- CCOP - Michigan Cancer Research Consortium
- CCOP - Duluth
- Mayo Clinic Cancer Center
- Coborn Cancer Center
- CCOP - Metro-Minnesota
- CCOP - Missouri Valley Cancer Consortium
- Medcenter One Health System
- CCOP - Merit Care Hospital
- CCOP - Toledo Community Hospital
- CCOP - Geisinger Clinic and Medical Center
- CCOP - Upstate Carolina
- Rapid City Regional Hospital
- CCOP - Sioux Community Cancer Consortium
- CCOP - St. Vincent Hospital Cancer Center, Green Bay
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Experimental
gemcitabine + epirubicin
Patients receive gemcitabine IV over 30 minutes on days 1 and 8 and epirubicin IV on day 1. Treatment repeats every 21 days for up to 6 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients achieving complete response (CR) receive 2 additional courses beyond CR. Quality of life is assessed at baseline, prior to course 3, at 3 months, and then at 1 year. Patients are followed every 3 months for 1 year, every 4 months for 1 year, and then every 6 months for 3 years.