title: Long-term follow-up after preoperative chemotherapy using pemetrexed (Alimta) in rectal cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the long-term outcome in a cohort of patients treated with preoperative chemotherapy using pemetrexed (Alimta) for rectal cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective phase I/II study on preoperative chemotherapy using Alimta was conducted during 2006-2008. The long-term outcome was assessed here for both the study group (n=37) and the reference group (n=87). The focus was on cancer recurrence and survival with consideration of initial tumour stage and treatment response.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was one recurrence, each in stages I and II and three (23.1%) in stage III in the Alimta-treated group. One patient remains disease, free after surgery for metastasis. Patients with more symptoms remaining after treatment had a higher risk of recurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The initial Alimta study concluded that treatment was feasible in rectal cancer with significant reductions in tumour symptoms and size. The long-term outcome is acceptable and does not provide evidence against the concept of preoperative chemotherapy using Alimta.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Östra, 41685 Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Torbjörn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Swartling
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kodeda
authors.forename: Bengt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gustavsson
authors.forename: Kristoffer
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Derwinger
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005971:Glutamates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006147:Guanine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D000068437:Pemetrexed; D011184:Postoperative Period; D057234:Preoperative Period; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005971:Glutamates; D000068437:Pemetrexed; D006147:Guanine