Abstract
Pemetrexed is a multitargeted antifolate that inhibits at least three folate dependent enzymes involved in DNA synthesis. Gemcitabine is a broadly active pyrimidine nucleoside antimetabolite that is incorporated into DNA and causes chain termination. Both pemetrexed and gemcitabine, as single agents, have shown antitumor activity in a wide range of solid tumors, including non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Based on preclinical in vitro and in vivo synergism of the combination of pemetrexed and gemcitabine, the 2 drugs were studied in several phase I and II trials in patients with advanced NSCLC. The published studies found response rates between 13 to 31%, with overall survival times similar to established standard chemotherapy regimens. The grade 3 or 4 toxicities with this combination are mainly haematologic, dermatologic and transaminitis. In this paper, we review the pemetrexed-gemcitabine combination in the treatment of NSCLC patients with regards to the rationale, clinical activity as well as the future directions for this new 2-drug combination.
Keywords: Gemcitabine, NSCLC, pemetrexed
Current Drug Targets
Title: The Role of Pemetrexed Combined with Gemcitabine for Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Volume: 11 Issue: 1
Author(s): Joanne Ngeow and Chee-Keong Toh
Affiliation:
Keywords: Gemcitabine, NSCLC, pemetrexed
Abstract: Pemetrexed is a multitargeted antifolate that inhibits at least three folate dependent enzymes involved in DNA synthesis. Gemcitabine is a broadly active pyrimidine nucleoside antimetabolite that is incorporated into DNA and causes chain termination. Both pemetrexed and gemcitabine, as single agents, have shown antitumor activity in a wide range of solid tumors, including non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Based on preclinical in vitro and in vivo synergism of the combination of pemetrexed and gemcitabine, the 2 drugs were studied in several phase I and II trials in patients with advanced NSCLC. The published studies found response rates between 13 to 31%, with overall survival times similar to established standard chemotherapy regimens. The grade 3 or 4 toxicities with this combination are mainly haematologic, dermatologic and transaminitis. In this paper, we review the pemetrexed-gemcitabine combination in the treatment of NSCLC patients with regards to the rationale, clinical activity as well as the future directions for this new 2-drug combination.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Ngeow Joanne and Toh Chee-Keong, The Role of Pemetrexed Combined with Gemcitabine for Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer, Current Drug Targets 2010; 11 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138945010790031081
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138945010790031081 |
Print ISSN 1389-4501 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-5592 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
New drug therapy for eye diseases
Eyesight is one of the most critical senses, accounting for over 80% of our perceptions. Our quality of life might be significantly affected by eye disease, including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye, etc. Although the development of microinvasive ocular surgery reduces surgical complications and improves overall outcomes, medication therapy is ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Editorial (Thematic Issue: Antiangiogenic Agents in the Management of Solid Malignancies)
Current Angiogenesis (Discontinued) Discovery of Structural Prospects of Imidazo[1,5-a]pyrazine Derivatives as BTK Inhibitors Against Cancer: A Computational Study
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery Novel and Emerging Drugs for Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Pharmacology and Therapeutic Activity
Current Medicinal Chemistry Weekly Low-doses with Prolonged Infusion of Gemcitabine /Cisplatin for Multi-treated Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Management of Inflammation by Natural Polyphenols: A Comprehensive Mechanistic Update
Current Medicinal Chemistry Hormone Responsive Breast Cancer and BRCA1 Mutation: Mechanism, Regulation and Iron-mediated Effects
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Anti-Carcinogenic Effects of Carnosol-An Updated Review
Current Drug Discovery Technologies The Need for Calcium Channels in Cell Proliferation
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Pharmacology and Therapeutic Applications of Enediyne Antitumor Antibiotics
Current Molecular Pharmacology Evaluation of Adhesion Force and Binding Affinity of Phytohemagglutinin Erythroagglutinating to EGF Receptor on Human Lung Cancer Cells
Current Medicinal Chemistry Gene Transfer and Drug Delivery with Electric Pulse Generators
Current Drug Metabolism Crocetin: an Agent Derived from Saffron for Prevention and Therapy for Cancer
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Interplay between DNA Methyltransferase 1 and microRNAs During Tumorigenesis
Current Drug Targets Emerging Role of Apelin as a Therapeutic Target in Cancer: A Patent Review
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Structural and Functional Role of Gly281 in L-asparaginase from Erwinia carotovora
Protein & Peptide Letters Addressing the Challenge: Current and Future Directions in Ovarian Cancer Therapy
Current Gene Therapy Brain-metastatic Breast Cancer: Clinical Considerations and Pharmacological Approaches
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Across the Universe of K-Ras Mutations in Non-Small-Cell-Lung Cancer
Current Pharmaceutical Design Application of NMR Metabolomics to Search for Human Disease Biomarkers
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Inhibition of Tumor Angiogenesis by Antibodies, Synthetic Small Molecules and Natural Products
Current Medicinal Chemistry