Pemetrexed and oxaliplatin for metastatic colorectal cancer: results of a phase I Mayo Cancer Center Research Consortium trial, MC0248.
OBJECTIVE
Pemetrexed, an antifolate involved in purine and pyrimidine formation, is a potential alternative to fluoropyrimidines in the treatment of colorectal cancer. A phase I trial was performed to establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of pemetrexed and oxaliplatin when B(12) and folate supplementation is used.


METHODS
Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer received folate (> 350 microg) daily and vitamin B(12) (1000 microg) every 9 weeks starting 7 days before chemotherapy. Pemetrexed over 10 minutes and oxaliplatin over 2 hours were given every 3 weeks in escalating dose cohorts.


RESULTS
Twenty-two patients were entered on 6 dose levels. The MTD was established at the highest dose level, pemetrexed 900 mg/m(2) and oxaliplatin 130 mg/m(2). Toxicities related to treatment at the MTD included grade 3 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. For all dose levels combined, grade 3/4 toxicities included hematologic, neurologic, and gastrointestinal. Nine of 21 evaluable patients responded overall (response rate, 43%). The time to tumor progression was 11.9 months.


CONCLUSIONS
The MTD was determined to be pemetrexed 900 mg/m(2) and oxaliplatin 130 mg/m(2) every 21 days when folate and B (12) supplementation are used. Because of the observed tolerability and activity of this regimen, further evaluation is warranted.
Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. alberts.steven@mayo.edu
Steven R
SR
Alberts
George P
GP
Kim
Michelle R
MR
Mahoney
Michael K
MK
Gornet
Joseph
J
Rubin
Matthew
M
Ames
Matthew P
MP
Goetz
Richard M
RM
Weinshilboum
Steven J
SJ
Nicol
Richard M
RM
Goldberg
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005493:Folic Acid Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005971:Glutamates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006147:Guanine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020714:Maximum Tolerated Dose; D008875:Middle Aged; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D000068437:Pemetrexed; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000008:administration & dosage
D005493:Folic Acid Antagonists; D005971:Glutamates; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D000068437:Pemetrexed; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D006147:Guanine; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12