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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Alan Calvert
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Pemetrexed is a novel antifolate that inhibits several folate-dependent enzymes in addition to thymidylate synthase. Such a drug may have theoretical advantages over fluoropyrimidines and specifically acting antifolates. Phase I studies identified a preferred schedule of an intravenous dose once every 3 weeks. Phase II studies showed a broad spectrum of activity in solid tumors (ie, non-small cell lung, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers) usually considered refractory to most antimetabolites. Binary combinations with cisplatin, carboplatin, and gemcitabine have proven feasible and show encouraging activity in lung cancer and mesothelioma. Problems of sporadic life-threatening toxicity identified in early studies of this and other antifolates have been resolved by the discovery that they were caused by functional folate deficiency and may be avoided by a low-dose nutritional supplement of folic acid and vitamin B12. Pemetrexed is a promising new drug that should make a contribution to solid tumor oncology. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Author(s): Calvert, A. H., Bunn, P.
Publication type: Review
Publication status: Published
Journal: Seminars in Oncology
Year: 2002
Volume: 29
Issue: 2 supplement 5
Pages: 54-61
Print publication date: 01/04/2002
ISSN (print): 0093-7754
ISSN (electronic): 1532-8708
URL: http://www.seminoncol.org/article/S0093-7754(02)70217-0/abstract
PubMed id: 12023794
