A phase II study of the platinum analogues JM8 and JM9 in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

The platinum analogues JM8 and JM9 were assigned randomly to 16 patients with pleural mesothelioma. Nine patients received JM8 and seven received JM9. Two of nine (22%) JM8-treated patients had objective responses (confidence limits 2.8%-60.0%, 95% confidence level). JM9 was more emetogenic than JM8, but not to a significant level. However, patients who received JM9 significantly preferred this drug to be given on an inpatient basis, in contrast with patients receiving JM8, who received the majority of courses as outpatients. Primary cytotoxic drug resistance is a major obstacle to successful treatment of mesothelioma, and phase II studies of novel agents should continue in an effort to circumvent this problem.