P0054 Maintenance therapy with pemetrexed immediately following induction treatment with pemetrexed plus cisplatin for advanced non-small-cell non-squamous carcinoma of the lung: A single institution’s experience

• Published in: European journal of cancer (1990) 2015-07, Vol.51, p.e13-e13
• Main Authors: Kim, D.H, Kinmond, A, Gilani, S, Giridharan, S, Sule-Suso, J, Jegannathen, A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine
• ISSN: 0959-8049; 1879-0852
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2015.06.040

Background Maintenance therapy with pemetrexed for non-small-cell non-squamous lung cancer following a combination of pemetrexed and cisplatin is a treatment option. We present our experience of such patients at the University Hospital of North Midlands (Stoke-on-Trent, UK). Methods We collected and retrospectively analysed the medical records of all patients locally who had received pemetrexed maintenance therapy for non-small-cell lung cancer between March 2012, and April 2014. Findings 384 patients were diagnosed with lung adenocarcinomas, of whom 80 (20.8%) received pemetrexed-based combination induction chemotherapy. 17 patients subsequently received pemetrexed maintenance therapy, with a mean of 5.9 (range 1–20) maintenance cycles. Mean progression-free survival was 5.2 (range 2–15) months. 1-year progression-free survival was 17.4%. Treatment was discontinued because of disease progression (71%), an adverse event (21%), or death from study disease (7%). Grade 3 and 4 laboratory and non-laboratory adverse events were seen in 11.8% and 17.6% of patients, respectively. Anaemia was the most common adverse event (65% patients grade 1–2; 5.9% patients grade 3–4); 35% of patients required blood transfusion. Neutropenia was seen in 41% of patients (35.3% patients grade 1–2, 5.9% patients grade 3–4). Two patients with neutropenia were withdrawn from treatment due to declining renal function. We noted a significant correlation between performance status and number of maintenance cycles administered (Spearman’s rank; R = −0.511, p = 0.036). Interpretation The mean number of maintenance cycles and the 1-year progression free survival was lower than reported in previous studies; however, the number of cycles was still favourable. Performance status should be carefully considered before this drug regimen is started in patients and haemoglobin levels should be monitored vigilantly between cycles of pemetrexed.