Light therapy shows promise in tough mesothelioma trial

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * histologically-proved epithelioid malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) on biopsies obtained before eP/D surgery * tumor stage: no tumor extension to controlateral lung, mediastinum, peritoneum or myocardium (\<T4); mediastinal lymph nodes extension: cN2 but no bulky N2 or N3), no metastasis (M0) * Performance status WHO PS 0-1 * patients fit to have surgery (eP/D) and chemotherapy (cisplatin-pemetrexed), based on clinical examination, complete normal biological work-up, full assessment by cardiac and pulmonary function tests. Predicted post-surgical values should be sufficient for normal daily life: FEV1\>40%; pre-surgical DLCO\>50% predicted value and VO2max \>15 ml/min/kg; (left ventricular) cardiac function \>50% and no significant pulmonary artery hypertension * written informed consent must be obtained before inclusion and randomization Exclusion Criteria: * Another histologic subtype than epithelioid MPM at the time of diagnosis * Bulky N2, N3 and/or M1 stage (UICC/IMIG 1995) * prior chemotherapy for mesothelioma * prior radiotherapy of thorax, neck or upper abdomen * other malignancy treated within 5 years, except basal cell carcinoma or in situ carcinoma of the cervix * contra-indication for MPM surgery or chemotherapy (cisplatin and pemetrexed): cardiac failure, pulmonary hypertension, liver or kidney dysfunction (GFR\<60 ml/min), uncontrolled infection, previous major neurotoxicity or ototoxicity,... or other severe condition according to the investigator * pregnancy or breast feeding * contra-indication for porfimer sodium (Photofrin): porphyria or known hypersensitivity to porphyrins, severe hepatic impairment, tracheo-oesophageal or broncho-oesophageal fistula, suspected erosion of major blood vessels due to risk of massive, potentially fatal haemorrhage * A previous talc pleurodesis during diagnostic thoracoscopy is NOT an exclusion criteria but talc on mediastinal pleura should be avoided to not keep away from eP/D.