Clinical activity of pemetrexed: a multitargeted antifolate anticancer agent
Thursday, March 30th, 2006.
Future Oncology. 2005 Dec;1(6):733-46. [Link]
Solomon B, Bunn PA Jr.
University of Colorado Cancer Center, PO Box 6511, Mailstop 8111, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Abstract
Pemetrexed is a new generation antifolate anticancer agent that inhibits several folate-dependent enzymes required for production of DNA and RNA intermediates. Early studies showed significant hematologic and nonhematologic toxicities with this agent. However it was found that many of these toxicities related to functional folate status and could be markedly reduced through routine supplementation with folic acid and vitamin B(12), without adversely affecting efficacy. Phase III studies with pemetrexed have established a clinical role for this drug as a single agent in the second-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer and in combination with cisplatin for the frontline treatment of unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma. Clinical trials of pemetrexed alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents have shown considerable activity in many tumor types including colorectal, pancreatic and breast cancer, and urothelial tumors.
Glossary
- oncology
- (on-call-o-jee) the branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
- DNA
- (dee-ok-see-ri-bo-new-CLAY-ic) abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid. DNA holds genetic information on cell growth, division, and function.
- cell
- the basic unit of which all living things are made. Cells replace themselves by splitting and forming new cells (mitosis). The processes that control the formation of new cells and the death of old cells are disrupted in cancer.
- cancer
- malignancy; a group of diseases typified by abnormal, generally out-of-control, cell growth.
- tumor
- an abnormal lump or mass of tissue. Tumors can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
- mesothelioma
- a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue, such as the peritoneum (lining the abdomen) or pleura (lining the lungs). More on mesothelioma.
- pemetrexed
- chemotheraputic agent that interferes with a crucial process that allows cancer cells to reproduce and spread. Specifically, pemetrexed stops the production of three enzymes that are required to feed the cancer cell. Often used in combination with cisplatin. Marketed under the name ALIMTA. See: Alimta.
