Pemetrexed

Diagram of the molecular structure of Pemetrexed
Brand name: Alimta®
IUPAC: (2R)-2-[[4-[2-(2-amino-4-oxo-1,7-dihydropyrrolo[4,5-e]pyrimidin-5-yl)ethyl]benzoyl]amino]pentanedioic acid
FDA approval: Yes
Manufacturer Link
Usage:

Pemetrexed is used in the treatment of mesothelioma and a variety of NSCLC cancers. It was approved for use in combination with cisplatin as an injected chemotherapyTreatment of cancer patients with anticancer drugs. Commonly called 'chemo'. These drugs work by attacking cell growth or division. Often these agents are used in combination to take advantage of their different modes of attack on cell division. agent.1

Mechanism:

Pemetrexed (Alimta®) works by disrupting folate-dependent metabolic processes essential for the rapid growth of tumors. The inhibition of the enzymeA protein that speeds up the process of chemical reactions in the body without becoming altered in the process. Almost every biological process is driven by the activity of enzymes. Without enzyme catalysts, the complex reactions that build and break down cell parts would not happen at a rate compatible with life. Enzyme names usually describe the reaction that is being catalyzed and all of them end in -ase. thymidylate synthase (TS) leads to inhibition of DNAAbbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid. Composed of very long strings of nucleotides, which are abbreviated as A, C, G and T. DNA is the storage form of our genetic material. All of the instructions for the production of proteins are encoded in our DNA. synthesis, which eventually results in depletion of reduced folates and essential carriers of celular metabolismThe sum of all reactions in a cell or animal. Processes that lead to the creation of biomolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids are termed anabolic pathways. Processes in which biomolecules are broken down, such as the digestion of foods, are termed catabolic. Metabolism is a term that encompasses both sets of processes..1

The structure below is the 3D conformer of Pemetrexed.

Side effects:

Common side effects include myelosuppressionThe decreased activity of the blood cell precursors located in the bone marrow. Both red and white blood cells in the bloodstream originate from these cells which are often short-lived and are replaced constantly by rapidly dividing precursor stem cells. Chemotherapy agents, radiation and many other cancer treatments are designed to attack rapidly dividing cells and inhibit the activity of these normal bone marrow cells. Several side effects of cancer treatment, such as anemia and a decreased ability to fight infections (immunosuppression) are due to the effects of these treatments on bone marrow cells., skin rashes, mucositis and fatigue.1

  • 1.a. b. c. Chu, E., & DeVita, V. T. (2015). Physicians' cancer chemotherapy drug manual 2015. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.