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Alimta

Pemetrexed (brand name Alimta) is a chemotherapy drug. Its indications are the treatment of pleural mesothelioma as well as non-small cell lung cancer. more...

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Mechanism of action

Pemetrexed is chemically similar to folic acid and is in the class of chemotherapy drugs called folate antimetabolites. It works by inhibiting three enzymes used in purine and pyrimidine synthesis—thymidylate synthase (TS), dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), and glycinamide ribonucleotide formyl transferase (GARFT). By inhibiting the formation of precursor purine and pyrimidine nucleotides, pemetrexed prevents the formation of DNA and RNA, which are required for the growth and survival of both normal cells and cancer cells.

The molecular structure of pemetrexed was developed by Edward C. Taylor at Princeton University and clinically developed by Indianapolis based drug maker, Eli Lilly and Company.

Clinical use

In February 2004, the Food and Drug Administration approved pemetrexed for treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma, a type of tumor of the lining of the lung, in combination with cisplatin. In July 2004, the FDA granted approval as a second-line agent for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.

Patients are required to be on folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation when they are on pemetrexed therapy. (In clinical trials for mesothelioma, folic acid and B12 supplementation reduced the frequency of adverse events.)

Read more at Wikipedia.org

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Puget Sound Cancer Centers Plays Significant Role in Clinical Testing Of Newly Approved Cancer Drug; FDA Approves Alimta for Treatment of Asbestos-Related
From Business Wire, 3/16/04

News Editors/Health/Medical Writers

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 16, 2004

Puget Sound Cancer Centers was actively involved in the clinical testing for the new drug Alimta, the first approved treatment for asbestos-related cancer in patients who are not candidates for surgery.

Alimta, developed by Eli Lilly and Company, recently received Food and Drug Administration approval for use in the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs often associated with asbestos exposure. When combined with the drug cisplatin, a standard chemotherapy agent, Alimta extended the survival rate of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma by 30 percent.

Puget Sound Cancer Centers, in Edmonds and North Seattle, participated in a global Phase III clinical trial comparing the effectiveness of Alimta plus cisplatin versus cisplatin alone. This trial is one of many that Puget Sound Cancer Centers makes available to patients in the local communities.

"Our practice is committed to providing investigational therapies to patients in the King and Snohomish county areas. Through research we can often enhance patient care while increasing our understanding of the effectiveness and safety of new treatments," said Dr. Richard McGee, President and medical oncologist at Puget Sound Cancer Centers.

For more information about ongoing clinical trials for lung cancer, as well as other cancers, please contact Denise Parkinson, Administrator at 206-954-2021.

About Puget Sound Cancer Centers

Puget Sound Cancer Centers (PSCC), operates outpatient community cancer centers located in North Seattle and Edmonds and is the single largest medical oncology practice in the State of Washington. PSCC is independently owned and managed by its ten medical oncology/hematology physicians.

About US Oncology

Puget Sound Cancer Centers is affiliated with US Oncology, America's premier cancer-care services company. The company provides comprehensive services to a network of affiliated practices - comprising more than 875 affiliated physicians in over 450 sites, including 78 integrated cancer centers in 32 states - with the mission of expanding access to and improving the quality of cancer care in local communities. These practices care for approximately 15 percent of the country's new cancer cases each year.

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