Offers new approach to treatment

From ConsumerAffairs.com

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Alimta (pemetrexed), the first drug available for maintenance therapy of advanced or metastatic lung cancer.

Patients with cancer often receive maintenance therapy to prevent the disease from progressing after their tumor has shrunk or the disease has stabilized in response to chemotherapy.   Alimta disrupts metabolic processes that are dependent on the B-vitamin folate, a necessary ingredient for cell reproduction.

“This drug represents a new approach in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer,” said Richard Pazdur, M.D., director, Office of Oncology Drug Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.  “Typically, patients whose tumors respond to chemotherapy do not receive further treatment after four-to-six chemotherapy cycles.   This study demonstrates an advantage in overall survival in certain patients who received Alimta for maintenance therapy.”

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~Sandy G.