A study looking at the effect pemetrexed has on non small cell lung cancer cells
Please note - this trial is no longer recruiting patients. We hope to add results when they are available.
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This study is using PET-CT scans to look at how a drug called pemetrexed affects non small cell lung cancer cells.
Doctors often use chemotherapy to treat non small cell lung cancer. Pemetrexed is one of the chemotherapy drugs they can use. You may have it at alongside other drugs called cisplatin or carboplatin. People taking part in this trial are having pemetrexed and cisplatin or carboplatin.
Researchers want to learn more about how pemetrexed affects cancer cells. In this study they are using scans called FLT PET-CT scans. A PET-CT scan combines a PET scan and a CT scan.
Before you have a PET scan, you have an injection of a very small amount of a radioactive drug. This is called a tracer. Cancer cells take up more of the radioactive tracer than normal tissue, which then shows up on the scan.
In this study, the researchers are using a tracer called FLT. The aim of the study is see if PET-CT scans can show differences in the amount of FLT that gets into cancer cells before and after you have pemetrexed.
You will not directly benefit from taking part in the study, but it may help doctors to find better ways of measuring how cancer responds to treatment.
Who can enter
You may be able to enter this trial if you
- Have non small cell lung cancer that is stage 3 or 4
- Are going to have pemetrexed and cisplatin or carboplatin chemotherapy
- Have cancer that can be measured on a scan and at least one area of cancer is at least 2cm across
- Are well enough to be up and about for at least half the day (performance status 0, 1 or 2)
- Have satisfactory blood test results
- Are at least 18 years old
You cannot enter this trial if you
- Have cancer that has spread to your brain or spinal cord (central nervous system) and this is causing symptoms
- Have had an experimental drug as part of another trial in the last month
- Cannot have pemetrexed, cisplatin or carboplatin
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Are being monitored because you have been exposed to a large amount of radiation due to your work
Trial design
This study will recruit 24 people. Everybody taking part has 2 PET-CT scans. You have the first scan between 2 and 7 days before you start chemotherapy.
You have chemotherapy in cycles of treatment. In the first cycle of treatment, you have pemetrexed on its own on the first day. You have your 2nd PET-CT scan about 4 hours later. The next day, you have cisplatin or carboplatin.
In the following cycles of treatment, you will have pemetrexed and cisplatin or carboplatin on the same day.
When you have the PET-CT scans, the study team will also take some extra blood samples. This is to study the activity of pemetrexed in the blood and to look for ways of working out who is most likely to benefit from the drug. The researchers will also get a sample of tissue that was removed when you were diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer.
Hospital visits
There will be 2 extra hospital visits to have the PET-CT scans. Both of these will be at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. The study team will provide a taxi to take you for your scans and home again afterwards.
Side effects
You should not have any side effects from taking part in this study, but you may have some discomfort where the needle is put into your arm.
You will be exposed to a small amount of extra radiation by having the PET-CT scans.
There is more information about having a PET-CT scan on CancerHelp UK.
Recruitment start:
Recruitment end:
How to join a clinical trial
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Chief Investigator
Dr Laura Kenny
Supported by
Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC)
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Medical Research Council (MRC)
NIHR Clinical Research Network: Cancer
If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040
