The Role of Pemetrexed in Second-Line Chemotherapy for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Title: The Role of Pemetrexed in Second-Line Chemotherapy for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Volume: 11 Issue: 1

Author(s): Steven Tucker

Affiliation:

Keywords: Advanced non-small cell lung cancer, second-line chemotherapy, pemetrexed

Abstract: Despite improvements in first-line therapy for advanced NSCLC all patients with metastatic disease will progress at some point. Patients with favorable prognostic factors such as good performance status, non-squamous histology, stable weight, and perhaps female gender are more likely to receive second-line chemotherapy. Currently the United States FDA recognizes three single agents (docetaxel, erlotinib, and pemetrexed) as established for providing a benefit in patients who have experienced progression after first-line therapy. This review focuses on the role of PEM in the treatment of advanced NSCLC in patients who have experienced disease progression during or after first-line therapy. The multi-targeted antifolate pemetrexed is equivalent to docetaxel for second-line therapy and with less toxicity.

Cite this article as:

Tucker Steven, The Role of Pemetrexed in Second-Line Chemotherapy for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Current Drug Targets 2010; 11 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138945010790031036