Treatment of non-small cell lung cancer with pemetrexed alone or in combination with platinum: An analysis of 86 patients

Objective To study the curative effect and safety of pemetrexed alone or in combination with platinum in treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods Eighty-six patients with histopathology-confirmed locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC who underwent chemotherapy with pemetrexed (500 mg/m² d1), or pemetrexed (500 mg/m² d1)in combination with cisplatin (75 mg/m² d1) or carboplatin (AUC=5 d1) every 21 days in Chinese PLA General Hospital from December 2008 to May 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were also given folic acid, vitamin B12 and dexamethasone during chemotherapy. Results Among the 86 patients, no patient had complete response; 10 patients had partial response; 53 patients had stable disease and 23 patients had progressive disease, with an objective remission rate of 11.6% (10/86) and a disease control rate of 73.3% (63/86). The median disease progression time was 7.3 months, the median survival time was 14.6 months, and the 1-year survival rate was 45.1%. The major adverse effects were gradeⅠ/Ⅱ gastrointestinal reactions and leucopenia. Conclusion The curative effect of pemetrexed alone or in combination with platinum on locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC is good and the patients can well tolerate it.