ChemotherapyFDA-approvedFirst-line

Pemetrexed

How it works

Inhibits thymidylate synthase, dihydrofolate reductase, and glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase, disrupting DNA synthesis and cell division.

Cancer types

Lung CancerAll patients

Efficacy

Studies show that pemetrexed plus platinum chemotherapy improves overall survival compared to platinum chemotherapy alone in patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer.

Side effects

Moderate

Side effects can be significant and may require dose adjustments or supportive medication, but the treatment is usually continued.

Evidence from research

StudyCancer typeStageEfficacy
Rare Skin Reaction Linked to Lung Cancer TreatmentLung CancerobservationalSource →
New Treatment Combination Tested for Lung Cancer Patients with Brain MetastasesLung Cancerphase-1Source →
Testing Sacituzumab Tirumotecan in Advanced Lung CancerLung Cancerphase-3Source →
Testing Methoxyamine with Cisplatin and Pemetrexed in Advanced Cancer PatientsLung Cancerphase-1Source →
Traditional Chinese Medicine May Help Reduce Chemotherapy Side Effects in Lung Cancer PatientsLung Cancerphase-3The incidence of neurotoxicity was 29.1% in the treatment group, significantly lower than 51.8% in the control group.Source →
Pemetrexed Side Effects Study Identifies New Safety SignalsLung CancerobservationalSource →
Taxane Chemotherapy May Be More Effective Than Pemetrexed in Lung CancerLung CancerobservationalTaxanes showed numerically longer progression-free survival (PFS; median 8.8 vs 7.9 months) and overall survival (OS; 18.8 vs 15.9 months) versus pemetrexed.Source →
Combining Medications Improves Lung Cancer Treatment for Some PatientsLung Cancerphase-3Combination therapy significantly prolonged median progression-free survival compared with monotherapy (19.78 vs 16.53 months; hazard ratio, 0.58; 95% confidence interval, 0.34-0.97).Source →
New Treatment for Lung CancerLung CancerobservationalSource →
New Treatment Combination Shows Promise for Lung Cancer PatientLung CancerobservationalThe treatment successfully prolonged the patient's survival by 3 months.Source →

This information is provided for general education only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making treatment decisions.