Pemetrexed Disodium and Cisplatin With or Without Cediranib Maleate in Treating Patients With Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

This randomized phase I/II trial is studying the side effects and best dose of cediranib maleate when given together with pemetrexed disodium and cisplatin and to see how well it works in treating patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. Drugs used in chemotherapy, pemetrexed disodium and cisplatin, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Cediranib maleate may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth and by blocking blood flow to the tumor. Giving pemetrexed disodium and cisplatin together with cediranib maleate may kill more tumor cells.