Nintedanib in combination with Pemetrexed and Cisplatin for Unresectable Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma – first line

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the pleura (the external lining of the lung) and rarely the peritoneum (the lining of the lower digestive tract). The disease has a strong association with a history of exposure to asbestos and can take several decades to present itself. Many cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, beyond resection (a type of surgery), as symptoms are typically non-specific. It is almost always fatal, and often within twelve months of symptom onset.
Nintedanib is an oral drug in development for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) in combination with chemotherapy drugs pemetrexed and cisplatin. A targeted biological therapy, nintedanib blocks some enzymes that lead to the development of blood vessels within cancerous cells, inhibiting further growth. The combination of pemetrexed with cisplatin is currently the only licensed treatment option for MPM. If licensed, nintedanib in combination with pemetrexed and cisplatin followed by continuing nintedanib monotherapy may offer an additional first line treatment option for patients as current alternatives are limited.