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Updated: May 29, 2026
04:04
Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Intratumoral Injection of Cisplatin for the Treatment of Isolated Mediastinal Recurrence of Lung Cancer
Published on: February 12, 2017
Skin toxicities compromise prolonged pemetrexed treatment
Belen Eguia1, Anne-Marie Ruppert, Julie Fillon
1Service de Dermatologie, Hôpital Tenon, AP-HP and Faculté de Médecine P&M Curie, Université Paris IV, France.
Summary
Pemetrexed can cause skin reactions like conjunctivitis and limb swelling, affecting 35% of patients. Female patients are more likely to experience these pemetrexed-induced cutaneous adverse events (CAEs).
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Dermatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Pemetrexed is a chemotherapy agent approved for non-small cell lung cancer.
- While generally well-tolerated, pemetrexed can cause cutaneous adverse events (CAEs).
- A specific case involved periorbital edema, conjunctivitis, and limb edema leading to fluid retention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of pemetrexed-induced CAEs.
- To identify risk factors associated with the development of CAEs.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort of patients receiving pemetrexed was identified.
- Patients and oncologists completed questionnaires to assess for CAEs.
- Data from 107 patients who received four or more cycles of pemetrexed were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Pemetrexed-induced CAEs occurred in 35% of all patients and 53% of alive patients.
- Conjunctivitis (25%), periorbital edema (15%), and limb edema (13%) were the most common CAEs.
- Female gender was identified as an independent risk factor (p=0.031), with 48% of women experiencing CAEs compared to 18% of men.
Conclusions:
- Pemetrexed frequently causes conjunctivitis and edema of the limbs.
- Female gender is a significant risk factor for developing CAEs.
- CAEs can be disabling, necessitating symptomatic treatment.
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