Cancer Treatment

Pemetrexed under brand name Alimta is a form drug manufactured by Eli Lily and Company. Its purpose to treat maligant pleural mesothelioma and non small cell lung cancer.

In 2004, United States Food and Drug Administration approved the drug for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), in combination with cisplatin. In 2008 FDA approved as first line treatment in combination with cisplatin, against of locally-advanced and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

Maligant pleural mesothelioma is relatively a mainstream cancer, with only an approximate 2,000 new cases each year. Whose incidence is expected to increase in the, Western Europe, United Kingdom and Australia over the next 20 years. MPM is usually linked previously exposure to asbestos. When asbestos fibres are swallowed or inhaled, they can cause scarring of the lung tissues, cancer of the bronchial tree and sometimes cancers in the peritoneum and pleura.

To treat malignant pleural mesothelioma, generally, patients are encouraged to take a drug known as Pemetrexed. MTA, anti-folates, Pemetrexed lends its success to fighting MPM through its ability to block folic acid from reaching cancer cells. Pemetrexed prevents no growth of the cancer cells that lead to MPM growth. There is no standard chemotherapy treatment for MPM. Pemetrexed in combination with cisplatin is the only chemotherapy regimen that is currently licensed for this indication. However, a variety of combination and single-agent regimens such as the mitomycin C, vinblastine and cisplatin combination (MVP) or vinorelbine are used. Pemetrexed costs about £800 for a 500-mg

In 2003, Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vogelzang et al release a 6 report , randomized trial that compared cisplatin alone to cisplatin plus pemetrexed, a new anti folate, in patients with unresectable MPM. The combination chemotherapy was well tolerated and was associated with a significantly better progression-free and overall survival. Other researcher’s finding that shown to experience an increased life span by up to three years when battling malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Common side effect associated with Pemetrexed included vomiting, nausea, neutropenia and fatigue. Somehow, mucositis , skin rash and liver function also has been reported.

In fact, all patients with MSM are selected to dose of Pemetrexed in lung cancer treatment.Generally, patients with shingles, heart disease, kidney and liver disease are not allowed to using Pemetrexed in MSM treatment.

In fact, all patients with MSM are selected to use of Pemetrexed in lung cancer treatment, Generally, patients with shingles, heart disease, kidney and liver disease are not allowed to using Pemetrexed in MSM treatment.




By: koay lye chin