Inclusion Criteria:

- histologically or cytologically diagnosed malignant mesothelioma

- age > 18 years

- Medically suitable for limited surgical intervention (pleural biopsies or limited
pleurectomy)

- Measurable or evaluable disease is not required

- Ability to understand the study and give signed informed consent including the
approval to accept a second thoracoscopic or surgical treatment after the third
course

- No previous chemotherapy

- Radiotherapy is allowed when this is given for palliation, the interval is > 4 weeks,
not more than 1/3 of the bone marrow capacity or all tumor is within the irradiation
field.

- WHO performance status =< 2

- Adequate organ function as evidenced by the following peripheral blood counts
or serum chemistries at study entry:

Hematology:

- ANC=>1.5 x 109/L,

- Platelets=>150 x 109/L,

- Hemoglobin => 6,0 mmol/l

Chemistry:

- total serum bilirubin < UNL;

- AST and ALT= < 2.5xUNL,

- AP < 5xUNL (unless bone metastases are present in the absence or any liver disease)

- Serum creatinine =< 2xUNL

Exclusion Criteria:

- Active uncontrolled infection, severe cardiac dysfunction or uncorrectable bleeding
tendency

- Previous successful pleurodesis

- Uncontrolled hypertension

- Symptomatic peripheral neuropathy => grade 2 according to NCIC CTC,version 3.0

- Presence of symptomatic CNS metastases

- Unstable peptic ulcer, unstable diabetes mellitus or other serious disabling
condition

- Concomitant administration to any other experimental drugs under investigation

- Impaired renal function