Emerging Treatments in Lung Cancer
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Alimta
Generic drug name: |
pemetrexed |
Brand/trade name: |
Alimta |
Manufactured by: |
Eli Lilly and Co. |
FDA approval: |
Approved in August 2004 to treat patients with advanced non-small cell
lung cancer who have previously received chemotherapy. Approved in February
2004 in combination with cisplatin for treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma. |
Type of drug: |
chemotherapy |
Overview:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to Alimta for the treatment of locally advanced
or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in previously treated patients. The drug was shown in clinical trial
to shrink tumors as effectively as docetaxel/Taxotere, which is the standard current therapy for recurrent NSCLC and
it did so with fewer side effects.
According to the study, patients treated with Alimta were less likely to suffer from fever and infections caued by
low levels of white blood cells. They were also less likely to be hospitalized for fever or other side effects.
Additionally, these patients suffered less hair loss and numbness in arms and legs. The median survival for patients
treated with Alimta was 8.3 months, compared with 7.9 months for patients treated with docetaxel.
For mesothelioma patients, Alimta given in combination with cisplatin was
shown in clinical trial to increase survival. This drug regimen was compared
to cisplatin alone in a trial of 448 patients from 19 countries - the largest
trial to date among patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. Results showed
overall survival was increased 30 percent (12.1 months for Alimta/cisplatin
versus 9.3 months for cisplatin alone), and that 50.3 percent of patients
treated with Alimta/cisplatin were alive a year later compared to 38.0 percent
treated with cisplatin alone. Both the median and one-year rates of survival
were statistically significant.
Treatment Overview:
Treatment options for non-small cell lung cancer and mesothelioma differ depending
upon the stage, size, and location of your tumor. For NSCLC patients, Alimta
is injected into the vein over 10 minutes once every three weeks. For mesothelioma
patients, Alimta is given in combination with another chemotherapy drug -
cisplatin. The cisplatin is given over two hours starting about 30 minutes after
the Alimta injection ends. Patients being treated with Alimta must also take
folic acid and vitamin B12.
To learn more about side effects and what you should
discuss with your doctor before starting Alimta:
To learn more about Alimta:
For more detailed treatment information:
