Standard Chemotherapy With of Without Axitinib in Malignant Mesothelioma

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