The emerging role of pemetrexed (Alimta) and gemcitabine in non-small cell lung cancer.
In recent years, several new cytotoxic agents have been investigated for the management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including the antimetabolic gemcitabine (Gemzar; Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN) and the new multitargeted antifolate pemetrexed (Alimta, Eli Lilly and Company), which are both among the most active agents in advanced NSCLC. Gemcitabine has become one of the key drugs in the management of NSCLC, alone or in association with platin compounds. Promising results have also been reported with pemetrexed used as a single-agent or in combination with cisplatin or gemcitabine. These results indicate that pemetrexed may also play a vital role in the treatment of NSCLC, malignant mesothelioma, and other solid tumors. Ongoing (and planned) trials are investigating the use of single-agent pemetrexed, or combinations with cisplatin, gemcitabine, and other cytotoxic agents in various malignancies.
Le Chevalier
Thierry
T
Department of Medicine, Instutut Gustave-Roussy, Villejuif, France.
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005493:Folic Acid Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005971:Glutamates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006147:Guanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000188:drug therapy; D000068437:Pemetrexed; D013940:Thymidylate Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D005493:Folic Acid Antagonists; D005971:Glutamates; D000068437:Pemetrexed; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D006147:Guanine; D013940:Thymidylate Synthase; D000093542:Gemcitabine