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Pemetrexed therapy
Pemetrexed inhibits multiple folate-dependent enzymes involved in nucleotide synthesis, disrupting DNA and RNA production in cancer cells.
Pemetrexed inhibits multiple folate-dependent 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 therapy |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University |
| Drug class | Antifolate antimetabolite |
| Target | Thymidylate synthase, dihydrofolate reductase, glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Oncology |
| Phase | Phase 3 |
Mechanism of action
Pemetrexed is a multitargeted antifolate that inhibits thymidylate synthase, dihydrofolate reductase, and glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase, key enzymes in the folate pathway. By blocking these enzymes, it prevents the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines necessary for DNA and RNA synthesis, leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in rapidly dividing cancer cells.
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
- Fatigue
- Mucositis
- Diarrhea
- Elevated liver enzymes
Key clinical trials
- Reduced-dose Carboplatin-doublet-chemotherapy + Cemiplimab vs Cemiplimab Monotherapy in Treatment Naive Older and Frail Patients With Metastatic NSCLC With PD-L1 <50% (PHASE2)
- A Study to Compare Sacituzumab Tirumotecan (MK-2870) Monotherapy Versus Treatment of Physician's Choice as Second-line Treatment for Participants With Recurrent or Metastatic Cervical Cancer (MK-2870-020/TroFuse-020/Gog-3101/ENGOT-cx20) (PHASE3)
- Sacituzumab Tirumotecan (MK-2870) Versus Pemetrexed and Carboplatin Combination Therapy in Participants With Epidermal Growth Factor (EGFR)-Mutated, Advanced Nonsquamous Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Who Have Progressed on Prior EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (MK-2870-009) (PHASE3)
- Testing the Addition of an Anti-Cancer Drug, TRC102, to the Usual Chemotherapy Treatment (Pemetrexed, Cisplatin or Carboplatin) During Radiation Therapy for Stage III Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (PHASE2)
- Methoxyamine, Cisplatin, and Pemetrexed Disodium in Treating Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors or Mesothelioma That Cannot Be Removed by Surgery or Mesothelioma That Is Refractory to Pemetrexed Disodium and Cisplatin or Carboplatin (PHASE1, PHASE2)
- A Study to Evaluate the Bioavailability of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) Via Subcutaneous (SC) Injection of Pembrolizumab Formulated With Berahyaluronidase Alfa (MK-5180) [MK-3475A] In Advanced Solid Tumors (MK-3475A-C18) (PHASE1)
- Pemetrexed Disodium and Cisplatin With or Without Cediranib Maleate in Treating Patients With Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (PHASE1, PHASE2)
- A Study of LY4050784 in Participants With Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors (PHASE1)
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 therapy CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Pemetrexed therapy updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University portfolio CI