Chemotherapy for Mesothelioma Flashcards
6 cards from real Mesothelioma Therapy practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Chemotherapy for Mesothelioma flashcards as text
What is the standard first-line chemotherapy regimen for unresectable pleural mesothelioma?
Answer: Pemetrexed + Cisplatin
Pemetrexed combined with cisplatin is the FDA-approved standard first-line chemotherapy regimen for unresectable pleural mesothelioma.
Which vitamin supplements are required for patients receiving pemetrexed to reduce toxicity?
Answer: Folic acid and vitamin B12
Folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation are mandatory for patients on pemetrexed to reduce hematologic and gastrointestinal toxicity.
What is pemetrexed's primary mechanism of action?
Answer: Antifolate—inhibits multiple folate-dependent enzymes
Pemetrexed is an antifolate agent that inhibits multiple folate-dependent enzymes essential for DNA synthesis, thereby halting cancer cell replication.
Carboplatin is sometimes substituted for cisplatin in mesothelioma chemotherapy for which reason?
Answer: Better tolerability in patients with renal dysfunction
Carboplatin is substituted for cisplatin primarily due to better tolerability, especially in patients with renal impairment or those who cannot tolerate cisplatin's toxicity.
What is the typical number of cycles for first-line pemetrexed + cisplatin chemotherapy in mesothelioma?
Answer: 4–6 cycles
Standard first-line chemotherapy for mesothelioma typically consists of 4–6 cycles of pemetrexed + cisplatin.
Which second-line chemotherapy agent has shown activity in previously treated mesothelioma?
Answer: Gemcitabine
Gemcitabine has demonstrated modest activity as a second-line therapy in patients with previously treated mesothelioma.