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Pemetrexed Disodium Heptahydrate
Pemetrexed is a multitargeted antifolate that inhibits multiple enzymes involved in nucleotide synthesis, disrupting DNA and RNA production in cancer cells.
Pemetrexed is a multitargeted antifolate that inhibits multiple enzymes involved in nucleotide synthesis, disrupting DNA and RNA production in cancer cells. Used for Metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (nonsquamous histology), Malignant pleural mesothelioma, Locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma.
At a glance
| Generic name | Pemetrexed Disodium Heptahydrate |
|---|---|
| Also known as | L-Glutamic acid, N-[4-[2-(2-amino-4,7-dihydro-4-oxo-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-5-yl)ethyl]benzoyl]-, disodium salt, heptahydrate |
| Sponsor | ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group |
| Drug class | Antimetabolite; multitargeted antifolate |
| Target | Thymidylate synthase, dihydrofolate reductase, glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Oncology |
| Phase | Phase 3 |
Mechanism of action
Pemetrexed inhibits thymidylate synthase, dihydrofolate reductase, and glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase, key enzymes in the folate pathway required for purine and pyrimidine synthesis. By blocking these enzymes, it prevents cancer cells from synthesizing the nucleotides needed for DNA and RNA synthesis, leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The disodium heptahydrate formulation is the salt form used for intravenous administration.
Approved indications
- Metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (nonsquamous histology)
- Malignant pleural mesothelioma
- Locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma
Common side effects
- Myelosuppression (neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Mucositis
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Elevated liver enzymes
- Renal toxicity
Key clinical trials
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Pemetrexed Disodium Heptahydrate CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Pemetrexed Disodium Heptahydrate updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group portfolio CI