pemetrexed + cisplatin + gefitinib

This investigational combination therapy regimen, developed by Guangzhou Medical University, involves the intercalation of gefitinib with a standard chemotherapy doublet of pemetrexed and cisplatin. Gefitinib is a small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), while pemetrexed is an antifolate chemotherapy agent and cisplatin is a platinum-based DNA cross-linking agent. The regimen is specifically designed for the treatment of patients with advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who harbor EGFR wild-type status. The therapeutic rationale is based on preclinical evidence suggesting that EGFR-TKIs can enhance the cytotoxic sensitivity of pemetrexed, potentially improving clinical outcomes in a patient population that typically does not benefit from EGFR-TKI monotherapy.

Other names

pemetrexed/cisplatin intercalating gefitinib