Pemetrexed: a multitargeted antifolate agent with promising activity in solid tumors

Ann Oncol. 2000 Oct;11(10):1335-41. doi: 10.1023/a:1008379101017.

Abstract

Pemetrexed disodium (ALIMTA, LY231514 (MTA)) is a novel multitargeted antifolate, that inhibits at least three enzymes involved in folate metabolism and DNA synthesis. These enzymes are thymidylate synthase, dihydrofolate reductase, and glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase. This agent has shown broad antitumor activity in phase II trials in a wide variety of solid tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer, breast, colon, pancreas, bladder, head and neck, and cervical carcinomas, and is undergoing randomized phase III studies. MTA has also shown promising activity in a broad range of tumors in combination with other active agents such as gemcitabine and cisplatin. The clinical pharmacology, toxicity and clinical activity of MTA are reviewed in this report.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Folic Acid Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Glutamates / adverse effects
  • Glutamates / pharmacology
  • Glutamates / therapeutic use*
  • Guanine / adverse effects
  • Guanine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Guanine / pharmacology
  • Guanine / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Pemetrexed

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Folic Acid Antagonists
  • Glutamates
  • Pemetrexed
  • Guanine