Mesothelioma and Asbestos

MONDAY, July 6 (HealthDay News) – The drug Alimta (pemetrexed) has been approved by the U.S. Food as well as Drug Administration to halt progression of certain types of advanced or metastatic (spreading) lung cancer, the agency said Monday.

The drug, which hinders the needed absorption by certain tumors of B-vitamin folate, is newly approved for people whose tumor has shrunk or whose cancer has stabilized after chemotherapy.

Alimta was earliest approved in 2004 to treat the asbestos-linked cancer mesothelioma as well as, later, as an initial therapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer, the FDA said in a news release.

Likely side effects may include blood cell damage, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, extremity numbness, as well as rash, the FDA said.

The drug is produced by Indianpolis-based Eli Lilly & Co.

- Scott Roberts