Gemcitabine and pemetrexed disodium combinations in vitro and in vivo.

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Adjei AA

Gemcitabine and pemetrexed disodium combinations in vitro and in vivo.

Lung Cancer. 2001 Dec;34 Suppl 4:S103-5.

PubMed ID

11742712 [ View in PubMed

]

Abstract

Pemetrexed disodium (ALIMTA) is a novel antimetabolite that inhibits at least three folate-dependent enzymes, thymidylate synthase, dihydrofolate reductase, and glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase. Pemetrexed disodium is broadly active in a wide variety of solid tumours, including non-small cell lung, breast, bladder, head and neck and ovarian cancers. Gemcitabine is a broadly active pyrimidine nucleoside antimetabolite, which is approved for the treatment of pancreatic and non-small cell lung cancers. Three preclinical studies have been reported that show cytotoxic synergy between gemcitabine and pemetrexed. Clinical activity with this combination has been observed in a phase I study, with partial responses in three of five patients previously treated for non-small cell lung cancer. An international phase II study of this combination in non-small cell lung cancer is ongoing.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Targets

Drug	Target	Kind	Organism	Pharmacological Action	Actions
Pemetrexed	Dihydrofolate reductase	Protein	Humans	Yes	Inhibitor	Details
Pemetrexed	Thymidylate synthase	Protein	Humans	Yes	Inhibitor	Details
Pemetrexed	Trifunctional purine biosynthetic protein adenosine-3	Protein	Humans	Yes	Inhibitor	Details