HOW VALID IS THE PHASE II STUDY OF NEW DRUG FOR MALIGNANT PLEURAL MESOTHELIOMA?
The Clinical Journal of Oncology reports on the Phase II Study of Vinflunine for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma.
The participants showed a survival rate of between 7.8 and 12 months, with the median being 10. 8 months. However, I am dubious about reading too much into this trial, given that, in real terms, the sample group consisted of
only 62 patients.
On a more positive note, eligibility was restricted to those patients who had not received prior chemo or radiotherapy. This means that we can be confident in the knowledge that any positive effects were due to the Vinfluine and no other agent.
The researchers concluded:
'Vinflunine can be delivered with high-dose intensity in patients with Malignant pleural mesothelioma. The response rate and median survival are encouraging for a single agent. These data suggest that vinflunine should be further evaluated in the management of Malignant pleural mesothelioma.'
Of course, despite my hesitancy about this research project - every little helps and it will be interesting to follow any other work done with this drug.