Repetitive responses to nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel and carboplatin in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare tumor with a poor prognosis. Although cisplatin plus pemetrexed is the standard chemotherapy for patients with unresectable MPM, few agents are available for MPM patients who do not tolerate pemetrexed. Here, we report the first case of an MPM patient for whom the combination of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel and carboplatin (nabPC) repetitively achieved tumor regression. A 76-year-old man was diagnosed with epithelioid MPM. One cycle of carboplatin plus pemetrexed and two cycles of gemcitabine were administered but failed to inhibit tumor progression. By contrast, four cycles of nabPC resulted in a good response. Upon disease progression, four cycles of nabPC were performed again and resulted in a modest response. In conclusion, based on the present case, nabPC is a potential alternative chemotherapeutic agent for MPM, especially for MPM patients who do not tolerate pemetrexed.