Alimta

Manufactured by Eli Lilly, Alimta inhibits cell growth to prevent the spread of cancer to other areas of the body.  Alone, Altima treats those suffering from non-small cell lung cancer. However, when Altima is combined with the chemotherapy drug cisplatin, it can treat mesothelioma and prolong a patient’s life.

In 2004, the FDA approved the use of Alimta in combination with cisplatin to treat pleural mesothelioma. It is currently the only drug approved to treat mesothelioma. Altima works by blocking three enzymes that are used in the synthesis of purine and pyrimidine, which are needed in the formation of DNA and RNA. By preventing this formation, the chemotherapy drug can hinder cell growth and ultimately stop the cancer from spreading.

Patients receiving this combination are usually too ill to undergo surgery. Several clinical studies have shown that patients treated with Alimta/cisplatin live for an average of three months longer than those receiving cisplatin alone. While Alimta cannot cure mesothelioma, it can prolong life and improve lung function for the patient.