Pemetrexed in second line of non-small cell lung cancer

Non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which is the leading cause of cancer mortality, is accounts for 85% of all cases of lung cancer. The majority of NSCLC patients present with advanced, unresectable disease. In advanced disease, chemotherapy with platinun (cisplatin or carbo-platin) in combination with a third-generation cytotoxic drug (gemcitabine, vinorelbine, paclitaxel or docetaxel) can provide a modest improvement in survival with quality of life. Response rates of 20%-40% can be expected with a median survival of 8-10 months and a 1 year survival rate of 30% - 40%. Pemetrexed, a multitargeted antifolate agent, has shown clear activity in mesothelioma and NSCLC. In a phase III trial, second line treatment with pemetrexed demonstrated overall survival comparable to docetaxel with a more manageable toxicity profile. Single agent pemetrexed have shown well tolerate in elderly patients, in combination with radiotherapy where we can use full dose pemetrexed. In second line, in nonsquamous NSCLC pemetrexed administrated with folic acid and vitamin B12, has a significant superior survival compared with docetaxel (9.3 vs 8.0months). Rev Port Pneumol 2008; XIV (Sup.2): S21-S26.