Updates in oncology
| MedicineWorld.Org: Updates in oncology |
Alimta for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer
- See JCO May 1, 2004 for more details
- FDA has approved Alimta for second line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer
- Dosage: 500 mg/m2 as 10 minute iv infusion day 1 of a q 21 day cycle. Repeat until disease progression.
- Response rate: 9.1%, median progression free survival 2.9 months, median survival 8.3 months.
- Side effects: Less severe compared to taxotere, less neutropenia compared to docetaxel. Other side effects: fatigue (40%), nausia (33%), vomiting(17%), stomatitis (15%), neurosensory, alopecia (6%),
diarrhea (13%), rash (15%), edema (5%)
Precautions
- Monitor creatinine clearance and hold if <40
- Start B12 and folate supplimentation one week prior to starting treatment and continue throughout treatment
- Use steroid prophylaxis to decrease the incidence of skin rash. The dose is 4 mg bid for 3 days(one day before, on the day of chemo, and one day after chemo).
| MedicineWorl.Org: Updates in oncology |
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