Alimta is the brand name for pemetrexed. It is a newer drug from a group of chemicals that reduce the availability of certain vitamins to cancer cells. A phase III trial in 2002 showed that the tumors of people treated with pemetrexed along with an older agent, cisplatin, shrunk in 41% of cases, whereas the tumors of only 17% of patients treated with cisplatin reduced in size. The median survival rate of the group given both drugs was 12.1 months, as opposed to 9.3 months for the patients given cisplatin. This trial also demonstrated that the patients treated with the two drugs had increased quality of life scores, and had less pain and less difficulty breathing
Dr. Kaplan
The researchers learned during this trial that giving patients folic acid and vitamin B12 reduced side effects without compromising the efficacy of the drug. Patients treated with Alimta and cisplatin now routinely get the extra vitamins.
77% of the patients in this trial had Stage III or IV disease. In the past, no other therapy has been shown to increase the life expectancy of these patients. Based on the results of this study, Eli Lilly submitted Alimta for FDA approval to treat mesothelioma along with cisplatin, which it received in 2004.
Subsequent large trials have show 1 year survival rates of approximately 60% of patients treated with Alimta, with or without cisplatin or carboplatin, for patients whose cancer could not be treated surgically. It showed similar benefits when used in patients who had already had other chemotherapy.
The Alimta and cisplatin regimen approved by the FDA involves a 21 day cycle with both drugs given intravenously on the first day. Vitamin B12 and folic acid are given, as well as sufficient fluids and medication to combat nausea.
Further research is being done in regard to Alimta and mesothelioma as well as other cancers
