Pemetrexed in thoracic cancer
Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy. May 2006, Vol. 7, No. 7, Pages 917-928 (doi:10.1517/14656566.7.7.917) [Link]
Hannelore Goeminne 1 & Jan P van Meerbeeck†2
1Pulmonary Physician, Fellow Thoracic Oncology, Department of Pulmonary Diseases, University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
2Head of Thoracic Oncology, Department of Pulmonary Diseases, University Hospital, 7K12, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. jan.vanmeerbeeck@ugent.be
† Author for correspondence
Abstract
Both lung cancer and mesothelioma are malignancies with increasing incidence, and both are primarily due to inhalation of an external carcinogen. The occurence of both diseases is expected to rise worldwide, although a stabilisation and/or decrease may be anticipated in some developed countries. There are other common similarities to both cancers, including the median age of their patients, the advanced stage at presentation, the outcome and the treatments given. This review focuses on the available evidence of a novel antifolate agent, pemetrexed, in the treatment of both of these thoracic malignancies. Current status, persisting controversies and future developments are discussed.
