Pemetrexed plus platinum versus pemetrexed alone in non-small cell lung cancer patients who have progressed after

Su Jin Lee1, Jong-Mu Sun1, Se Hoon Lee1

  • 1Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Abstract

Insights

Platinum combination chemotherapy with pemetrexed improved disease control and showed a trend towards longer progression-free survival in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients after EGFR TKI failure. This finding offers valuable insights for treatment selection in advanced NSCLC.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Medical Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • First-line epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR TKIs) are standard for EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
  • Limited data exists on optimal chemotherapy regimens following EGFR TKI failure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the efficacy and safety of pemetrexed alone versus pemetrexed/platinum combination chemotherapy in NSCLC patients after first-line EGFR TKI failure.
  • To identify chemotherapy regimens that improve outcomes in this patient population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 63 NSCLC patients treated with pemetrexed or pemetrexed/platinum post-first-line EGFR TKI.
  • Comparison of baseline characteristics, response rates, toxicities, and survival outcomes between treatment groups.

Main Results:

  • The pemetrexed/platinum group showed a significantly higher disease control rate (75.0% vs. 44.4%, p=0.017).
  • The pemetrexed/platinum group experienced more Grade 2/3 neutropenia (18.8% vs. 0%, p=0.049).
  • Progression-free survival (PFS) was longer in the pemetrexed/platinum group (5.2 vs. 2.7 months), though not statistically significant (p=0.096).

Conclusions:

  • Platinum combination with pemetrexed demonstrates superior disease control in NSCLC patients progressing after first-line EGFR TKIs.
  • This combination therapy shows a trend towards improved progression-free survival.
  • Pemetrexed/platinum chemotherapy is a viable option for NSCLC patients post-EGFR TKI failure, balancing efficacy and toxicity.