Phase I trial of pemetrexed in combination with cetuximab and concurrent radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

We studied the combination of pemetrexed, a multi-targeted antifolate, and cetuximab, an mAb against the epidermal growth factor receptor, with radiotherapy in poor prognosis head and neck cancer.

Patients and methods

Patients received pemetrexed on days 1, 22, and 43 on a dose-escalation scheme with starting level (0) 350 mg/m(2) (level -1, 200 mg/m(2); level +1, 500 mg/m(2)) with concurrent radiotherapy (2 Gy/day) and cetuximab in two separate cohorts, not previously irradiated (A) and previously irradiated (B), who received 70 and 60-66 Gy, respectively. Genetic polymorphisms of thymidylate synthase and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase were evaluated.

Results

Thirty-two patients were enrolled. The maximum tolerated dose of pemetrexed was 500 mg/m(2) i

SUBMITTER: Argiris A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3200222 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature