Review of a promising new agent--pemetrexed disodium.
Pemetrexed disodium (ALIMTa, [pemetrexed], LY231514; Eli Lilly and Company; Indianapolis, IN), a novel antifolate antimetabolite with multiple enzyme targets involved in both pyrimidine and purine synthesis, has entered clinical trials due to its favorable pleclinical profile. Many studies utilizing the drug, as a single or combination agent, are currently ongoing, including Phase III trials in mesothelioma, nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and pancreatic cancer. Promising feasibility and activity data have been obtained with pemetrexed in combination with platinum compounds and gemcitabine. The supplementation with daily oral folate could reduce the incidence of hematologic toxicities while preserving the antitumor activity of pemetrexed.
Paz-Ares
Luis
L
Department of Medical Oncology, Doce de Octubre University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. lpaz@hdoc.insalud.es
Bezares
Susana
S
Tabernero
José M
JM
Castellanos
Daniel
D
Cortes-Funes
Hernán
H
D000818:Animals; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005971:Glutamates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006147:Guanine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D000068437:Pemetrexed; D012449:Safety; D015996:Survival Rate; D013940:Thymidylate Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D005971:Glutamates; D000068437:Pemetrexed; D006147:Guanine; D013940:Thymidylate Synthase