Alimta approved for nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) maintenance therapy

The FDA has approved Alimta (pemetrexed injection, from Eli Lilly) as maintenance therapy for patients with locally advanced or metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose disease has not progressed after four cycles of platinum-based first-line chemotherapy. This approval was based on results from a Phase 3, global, multicenter, double-blind trial that compared the efficacy, with respect to overall survival, of Alimta plus best supportive care versus placebo plus best supportive care in 663 patients with stage IIIB/IV NSCLC whose disease had not progressed after four cycles of platinum-based induction chemotherapy. The trial supported previous studies looking at the use of histology to tailor treatments for patients with advanced nonsquamous NSCLC.

Alimta is already indicated in combination with cisplatin for the initial treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC or for the treatment of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma whose disease is unresectable or who are otherwise not candidates for curative surgery. Alimta is also indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC after prior chemotherapy.

For more information call (800) 545-5979 or visit www.alimta.com.