Mesothelioma - pemetrexed disodium

Summary

Pemetrexed is recommended as a possible treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma in people:

• with advanced disease
• whose cancer is not suitable for surgical resection (removal) and
• who have a World Health Organization (WHO) performance status of 0 (able to carry out all normal activity without restriction) or 1 (restricted in strenuous activity but able to move around and carry out light work).

Healthcare professionals should not stop prescribing pemetrexed for people who were already taking it when the guidance was issued. These patients should be able to carry on taking pemetrexed until they and their specialist decide that it is the right time to stop treatment.

Documents

For healthcare professionals

• TA135 Mesothelioma - pemetrexed disodium: Guidance
• TA135 Mesothelioma - pemetrexed disodium: Guidance (MS Word format)
• TA135 Mesothelioma - pemetrexed disodium: Quick reference guide

For patients, carers and the public

• TA135 Mesothelioma - pemetrexed disodium: Understanding NICE guidance
• TA135 Mesothelioma - pemetrexed disodium: Understanding NICE guidance (MS Word format)
• TA135 Pemetrexed ar gyfer mesothelioma pliwrol malaen: deall canllawiau (fformat MS Word)

Background information

• NICE recommends pemetrexed disodium (Alimta) for the treatment of mesothelioma

Implementing this guidance

Any further information NICE has produced to help the NHS implement this guideline locally is linked to below:

• TA135 Mesothelioma - pemetrexed disodium: Costing statement
• TA135 Mesothelioma - pemetrexed disodium: Audit criteria