Safety and efficacy of pemetrexed for the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma in patients with various stages of chronic kidney disease

We investigated the safety and efficacy of pemetrexed monotherapy in patients with lung adenocarcinoma and various renal conditions, including chronic kidney disease. We also analyzed whether baseline renal function affected progression-free survival (PFS). We retrospectively analyzed 71 patients who received maintenance-and second-line pemetrexed monotherapy. Patients were divided into two groups according to estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): fair eGFR (>60 mL/min/1.73 m2) and lower eGFR (59 mL/min/1.73 m2 or less). The safety and efficacy were evaluated for each group. Median ages were 73.2 years in the lower eGFR group (n=28) and 64.5 years in the fair eGFR group (n=43). Patients with a lower eGFR achieved a median PFS of 4.7 months, while the median PFS for patients with a fair eGFR was 2.7 months. The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (p=0.075). Both groups showed treatment-related low-grade hematological and non-hematological adverse events. Pemetrexed monotherapy is safe and effective in patients with lung adenocarcinoma with a lower eGFR.