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Abstract
Background
Pemetrexed has been prescribed newly as a second line chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). The aim of study was to determine the efficacy and toxicity of pemetrexed in advanced NSCLC.
Methods
Patients with histologically or cytologically confirmed NSCLC were evaluated from June 2006 to December 2008. The patients had relapsed or progressed after prior chemotherapy treatment. They were treated with intravenous pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 for 10 min on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle.
Results
A total of 89 patients were eligible for analysis. The response rate and disease control rate were 11% and 66%. Non-squamous cell carcinoma histology was significantly associated with a superior response rate (p=0.035) and disease control rate (p=0.009) than squamous cell carcinoma histology. The median survival time was 13 months and the median progression free survival time was 2.3 months. The median survival time of patients with ECOG PS 0~1 was 13.2 months, whereas median survival time was 11.6 months for patients with PS 2 (p=0.002). The median progression free survival time of patients with PS 0~1 were 3.8 months, but 2.1 months for patients with PS 2 (p=0.016). The median progression free survival time of smokers with non-squamous cell carcinoma was 3.4 months, which was significant (p=0.014). Grade 3~4 neutropenia were seen in 7.9% patients.
Figures and Tables
Figure 1
Waterfall plot of response on pemetrexed in advanced NSCLC. Waterfall plot illustrates patients' response to pemetrexed. Bars represent measurement for Response Evaluation Criteria for Solid Tumor-designated target lesions. Bars below the dotted line represent patients with confirmed partial response.
Figure 2
Median survival and median progression free survival (PFS) curve of patients with pemetrexed chemotherapy. The median survival time was 13 months and the median progression free survival time was 2.3 months.
Figure 3
Progression free survival (PFS) curve of patients divided according to smoking and histology subtype. The median progression free survival time of smokers with non-squamous cell carcinoma was 3.4 months, which was significant.
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