Folic acid reduces toxicity during mesothelioma treatment

Two hundred and eighty mesothelioma patients were enrolled to the revised protocol. Using a strategy that has been successful in the past in reducing drug side effects, this new protocol incorporated folic acid in the regimen because pemetrexed, as an antifolate agent, reduces levels of this important vitamin.

Folic acid was given prior to and during the trial, and vitamin B12 was given only during the trial. Both vitamins should boost folic acid levels, reduce homocysteine formation, and hence reduce toxicity to pemetrexed.

"We now have a significantly less toxic regimen than the one we started with," said Vogelzang.