The chemotherapy drug Alimta, also known as Pemetrexed, has recently reached Chinese markets for sale and distribution. The medication has previously been available in more than 60 countries around the world.
Developed by Eli Lilly and Company, Alimta is the first and only chemotherapy drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma. The medication received this recognition in 2004.
More specifically, Alimta was approved in combination with Cisplatin for those whose disease is unresectable or who are not eligible for curative surgery. Since 2004, the drug has received three additional approvals from the FDA.
Alimta works by interfering with the process that enables cancerous cells to reproduce and spread to other areas of the body. Multiple clinical trials have demonstrated that when combined with Cisplatin, Alimta may significantly improve the overall survival of patients with pleural mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer most notably caused by asbestos exposure. The latency period associated with the onset of symptoms is the leading reason why so many patients are diagnosed in the later stages of development. Because very few treatment options are effective, the mesothelioma life expectancy for most patients remains poor.
Alimta with Cisplatin may be administered through an intravenous infusion (IV). The medication is usually given once every 21 days during three-week treatment cycles. While the infusion of Alimta will take about 10 minutes, Cisplatin will be given over a two-hour period. As part of the treatment, doctors may also recommend additional medications, including vitamin B12, folic acid and corticosteroids.
Side effects of Alimta will vary from patient to patient. Symptoms such as fatigue, nausea and vomiting are a few examples that pleural mesothelioma patients may experience during chemotherapy. All side effects should be explained to the doctor monitoring the condition.
Additional information on mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.
In a report published by the Environmental Protection Agency earlier this month the agency approved asbestos safety measures of the redevelopment work at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in Bayview, California.
Protecting Bayview residents from airborne asbestos fibers has been of utmost concern during the redevelopment of Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. Asbestos is known to cause a range of terminal diseases, from asbestosis to lung cancer to mesothelioma cancer. The latter disease is often considered the most aggressive and typically claims the life of a patient within four to 18 months of diagnosis. Although there is no cure for mesothelioma, some patients may experience an improvement in their mesothelioma life expectancy by undergoing multimodality therapy.
In 2006 and 2007 airborne asbestos dust was released during a grading project connected with the redevelopment of the shipyard. The toxic fibers were released from the soil, as Bay-area soils are naturally contaminated with the mineral asbestos. The homebuilding company Lennar Corp. was fined $515,000 in 2008 by state regulators for failing to properly manage and monitor the disturbed asbestos dust.
Thankfully, the most recent investigation on behalf of the EPA found that current safety procedures are sufficiently protecting Bay-area residents. In their recently released report, the EPA states, “Strict best-management practices for dust and asbestos monitoring and mitigation are in place to protect the community and keep exposure to asbestos in dust within acceptable levels. The current practice of daily inspections by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District ("Air District) and the City of San Francisco Department of Public Health provide appropriate oversight and enforcement.”
The agency went on to explain, "While the Air District did not intend the asbestos air monitoring program to be used to evaluate exposure or health risk in the neighborhood, EPA calculated potential risk using the daily air monitoring data as a screening evaluation of what is in the air directly at the monitoring stations. The results were within EPA's defined acceptable risk range of between a one-in-one-million and one-in-ten-thousand chance of developing an asbestos related cancer."
Additional information on asbestos and mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.
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