ALIMTA

Alimta, also known the generic name pemetrexed, has been one of the most exciting developments in treatment of mesothelioma in recent years. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a combination of Alimta and Cisplatin for treatment of mesothelioma. Alimta is the first and so far only medicine sanctioned by the FDA specifically to treat mesothelioma. Cisplatin, the other half of the combination therapy, is an older platinum-based chemotherapy agent used for many types of cancer.

Alimta is called a third-generation antifolate. Oother antifolate drugs are used to treat cancer and malaria. Alimta inhibits several enzymes in the folic acid metabolic pathway. It is thought that the drug inhibits key enzymes involved in the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines. An earlier-generation antifolate, methotrexate, was used for mesothelioma in the past. Clinical studies show a 14% single-agent response rate for Alimta. In combination with cisplatin, the response rate was 40%.

The combination of Alimta (pemetrexed) and cisplatin is now the accepted as the standard first-line chemotherapy treatment for mesothelioma in patients that are inoperable. When surgery is done to debulk the tumor, this combination is often administered in follow-on.

Alimta is not a cure for mesothelioma, but clinical trials have shown it is associated with an increased survival for mesothelioma patients. Scientifically, an antifolate antineoplastic agent that disrupts folate-dependent metabolic processes. To lower the chance of side effects with Alimta, patients are given folic acid (vitamin B9) and vitamin B12 before, during, and after treatment.

Alimta is made by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, and the name Alimta is a trademark of that company.

MesotheliomaWeb has been following the Alimta story for years.

Questions and Answers about Alimta

Australia Adds Alimta to Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme - Jan 2008

Pemetrexed and cisplatin in patients with advanced gastric cancer: a Korean cancer study group multicenter phase II study - Abstract, July 2008

New study affirms benefit of Alimta in mesothelioma treatment. - Sept 2007

Alimta Researchers Recognized As Heroes Of Chemistry - Sept 2006

Scientist Reveals His Hopes for Better Tumour Treatment with Alimta - March 2006

Thoracic Cancer Patients Find New Reasons for Hope with Alimta - July 2005

Mesothelioma Cancer drug developed by chemistry professor

Thoracic Expert: Patients With Asbestos-Related Cancer Report Better Quality of Life With Alimta+Cisplatin - June 2003

1,000th U.S. Patient Enrolls in Alimta (pemetrexed) Expanded Access Program - Oct 2003

Questions and Answers on Chemotherapy

FDA Approves Alima for Mesothelioma

Lilly Asbestos-Related Cancer Drug OK'd - Reuters

Alimta/Cisplatin chemotherapy regimen from Eli Lilly

FDA Approves Alimta-Cisplatin Combination for Treatment of Asbestos-Related Cancer Mesothelioma - Eli Lilly Press Release

Lilly Given OK To Make Alimta Available on Expanded Access Basis - July 2002

Drug Company Agressively Pursues FDA Approval For New Mesothelioma Medicine

Carboplatin and pemetrexed in the management of malignant pleural mesothelioma: A realistic treatment option?

Pemetrexed alone or in combination with cisplatin in previously treated malignant pleural mesothelioma: outcomes from a phase IIIB expanded access program.

Cisplatin Plus Pemetrexed (Alimta) shows promise in treatment of Mesothelioma

Study shows survival benefit with Alimta

Lilly's Alimta website

Lilly's History of Alimta (PDF)

FDA's Questions and Answers on Alimta