Alimta (also known as pemetrexed) is a chemotherapy drug marketed by Eli Lilly. Alimta is used together with other chemotherapy agents to treat lung cancer.
Function
Alimta kills cancer cells by blocking three enzymes that cancer cells need for survival, according to the American Cancer Society.
Recommendation
According to National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) 2009 Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology, Alimta is recommended for use in combination with either cisplatin or carboplatin to treat locally advanced and metastatic lung cancer.
Side Effects
Side effects of Alimta include anemia, low white blood cell count and decrease in blood platelets, according to the American Cancer Society. Patients taking Alimta are recommended to take a vitamin B12 supplement and folic acid to reduce the side effects of Alimta.
Considerations
If used during pregnancy, Alimta can cause harm to the fetus, according to Drugs.com.
Expert Insight
Alimta is often combined with cisplatin to treat advanced lung cancer. According to a 2008 study published in "Journal of Clinical Oncology," patients treated with cisplatin and pemetrexed have the same survival rate as patients treated with cisplatin and gemcitabine, another standard chemotherapy combination for lung cancer. However, patients treated with cisplatin and pemetrexed have fewer and less severe side effects.
References
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology
- Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER): Lung Cancer
- "Journal of Clinical Oncology"; Phase III Study Comparing Cisplatin Plus Gemcitabine With Cisplatin Plus Pemetrexed in Chemotherapy-Naive Patients With Advanced-Stage Non--Small-Cell Lung Cancer; Scagliotti et al.; July 2008
