Role of pemetrexed and platinums combination in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
The incidence of lung cancer in 2007 is estimated to be 213,380 with 160,390 deaths in the United States. It will contribute to 31% of male and 26% of female cancer-related deaths and is the largest cause of cancer-related mortality in both men and women. Despite some advances in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the introduction of third-generation cytotoxic agents (vinorelbine, gemcitabine, docetaxel, irinotecan, and paclitaxel) has not achieved a breakthrough in the dismal prognosis of this disease. Several meta-analyses have proved the superiority of 2-drug chemotherapy and cisplatin-based chemotherapy, but no gold standard exists. This paper summarizes the clinical data of a new cytotoxic agent, pemetrexed, and its combination with platinums in the treatment of NSCLC. The addition of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor (bevacizumab) or an EGFR-targeted drug (cetuximab) to pemetrexed/platinum in NSCLC, and the role of pemetrexed/platinum in adjuvant chemotherapy for early-stage NSCLC were also discussed in this paper.
Chen
Manyin
M
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College, PR China.
Shao
Wenlong
W
He
Jianxing
J
Wang
Daoyuan
D
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005971:Glutamates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006147:Guanine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068437:Pemetrexed
D005971:Glutamates; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D000068437:Pemetrexed; D006147:Guanine