Pemetrexed in the treatment of selected solid tumors.
The novel agent pemetrexed inhibits thymidylate synthase, dihydrofolate reductase, and glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase. Significant activity has been seen in completed phase II trials of pemetrexed in non-small cell lung cancer and breast cancer. Pemetrexed is also active in combination with other agents such as gemcitabine, cisplatin, and carboplatin. In addition, this agent shows promising activity in bladder, head and neck, esophageal, renal, and cervical carcinomas. Preliminary results of studies in these tumor types are reviewed.
Adjei
Alex A
AA
Division of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005493:Folic Acid Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005971:Glutamates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006147:Guanine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D000068437:Pemetrexed; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D005493:Folic Acid Antagonists; D005971:Glutamates; D000068437:Pemetrexed; D006147:Guanine