title: Pemetrexed (Alimta, MTA, multitargeted antifolate, LY231514) for malignant pleural mesothelioma.
abstract: Regimens with antimetabolites such as gemcitabine administered alone or in combination with cisplatin have shown promising phase II study data. Accordingly, antifolate agents are of considerable interest. Pemetrexed (Alimta; Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN), a folate-based inhibitor of thymidylate synthase., is currently under phase III investigation. The Evaluation of Mesothelioma in a Phase III Trail of Pemetrexed with Cisplatin (EMPHACIS) trial is the first phase III randomized study in mesothelioma with survival as the primary end point; it showed statistically significant superiority of the pemetrexed/cisplatin combination over cisplatin low-dose folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation significantly reduced the toxicity observed with the use of pemetrexed/cisplatin will soon be recommended for malignant pleural mesothelioma as first-line standard chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Thoraxklinik-Heidelberg GmbH, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Manegold
mesh_terms: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D005493:Folic Acid Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005971:Glutamates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006147:Guanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068437:Pemetrexed; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D015996:Survival Rate; D013940:Thymidylate Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D005493:Folic Acid Antagonists; D005971:Glutamates; D000068437:Pemetrexed; D006147:Guanine; D013940:Thymidylate Synthase