How effective is pemetrexed and carboplatin?
Objective response rates were 26.8% for pemetrexed/oxaliplatin patients and 31.6% for pemetrexed/carboplatin patients. Median time to progression was 5.5 and 5.7 months for pemetrexed/oxaliplatin and pemetrexed/carboplatin, respectively. Median overall survival was 10.5 months for both treatment groups.
How toxic is pemetrexed?
Severe (and potentially fatal) renal toxicity has been reported with pemetrexed. Renal toxicity may occur with single-agent pemetrexed or when used in combination with other chemotherapy agents. Pneumonitis has been reported and may occur more frequently in association with radiation.
Is pemetrexed well tolerated?
Pemetrexed is a key anticancer agent for treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Pemetrexed is generally well tolerated, but individual-patient differences exist in severity of adverse events.
How long can you take pemetrexed?
You might have 4 to 6 treatments, taking 3 to 6 months in total. You have the following to reduce the side effects of pemetrexed and cisplatin. You take folic acid tablets starting 5 days before you begin treatment, continuing throughout treatment, and for 3 weeks after treatment ends.
Does pemetrexed cause hair loss?
LESS COMMON SIDE EFFECTS OF PEMETREXED Your hair may thin out, though it is unlikely you will lose all of the hair on your head. Hair loss normally starts after your first or second cycle of chemotherapy. It is almost always temporary, and the hair will continue to grow after you finish your chemotherapy.
How often is pemetrexed given?
You usually have pemetrexed every 3 weeks. Each treatment takes about 10 minutes. Pemetrexed blocks the action of folic acid in the body.
What is maintenance pemetrexed?
Maintenance pemetrexed is a feasible option for the patients achieving disease control in locally advanced and metastatic non squamous NSCLC among the Indian population. Patients receiving maintenance pemetrexed enjoy longer progression free and OS with delay in symptomatic worsening.
Is pemetrexed a chemotherapy drug?
Pemetrexed is a type of chemotherapy. It is also called by its brand name Alimta. You might have it as a treatment for: pleural mesothelioma (cancer of the outer covering of the lungs)
How effective is pemetrexed?
In 24 patients (33.3 %) disease progression was observed during first two months after pemetrexed monotherapy. Median progression-free survival reached 4.5 months, while median overall survival reached 9 months.
Why is vitamin B12 needed for pemetrexed?
Dr. Bunn concluded that folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation significantly reduces the number of episodes of grade 4 hematologic or grade 3-4 non-hematologic toxicity associated with pemetrexed disodium use. This may be attributed to decreases in homocysteine levels.
Who makes Alimta?
Alimta (pemetrexed) is a chemotherapy drug manufactured by Eli Lilly and has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of pleural mesothelioma and non-small cell lung cancer. Mylan isn’t the first to develop generics for Alimta.