Intrathecal pemetrexed chemotherapy combined with systemic therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and leptomeningeal metastases: a retrospective study

BackgroundLeptomeningeal metastases (LM) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) present a challenging prognosis, with systemic therapies often limited by the blood-brain barrier. However, intrathecal pemetrexed injections can increase intracranial drug concentrations, aiding in disease control.Object...

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Main Authors: Wenjuan Zhong, Longqiu Wu, Zhengang Qiu, Wei Yu, Linfang Liu, Huaqiu Shi, Shugui Wu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1545174/full
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author Wenjuan Zhong
Wenjuan Zhong
Longqiu Wu
Longqiu Wu
Zhengang Qiu
Zhengang Qiu
Wei Yu
Linfang Liu
Huaqiu Shi
Huaqiu Shi
Shugui Wu
author_facet Wenjuan Zhong
Wenjuan Zhong
Longqiu Wu
Longqiu Wu
Zhengang Qiu
Zhengang Qiu
Wei Yu
Linfang Liu
Huaqiu Shi
Huaqiu Shi
Shugui Wu
author_sort Wenjuan Zhong
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundLeptomeningeal metastases (LM) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) present a challenging prognosis, with systemic therapies often limited by the blood-brain barrier. However, intrathecal pemetrexed injections can increase intracranial drug concentrations, aiding in disease control.ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of combining intrathecal pemetrexed with systemic therapy in patients with NSCLC and LM.MethodsThirty-one patients with NSCLC and LM who received intrathecal pemetrexed chemotherapy between 2018 and 2022 at First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical College were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsOf the 31 patients enrolled, six had LM at initial diagnosis. The median number of intrathecal pemetrexed injections was 4 (2-26), with an intracranial control rate of 87.1% (27/31). Median iPFS was 9 months (95% CI: 2.77-15.23), and median iOS was 12 months (95% CI: 5.94-18.06 months). Most adverse events (AEs) were grade 1-2, with four (12.9%) grade 3 AEs (including two cases of grade 3 leukopenia; one, grade 3 diarrhea; one, grade 3 interstitial pneumonitis). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that the combination of bevacizumab (p<0.05) and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group(ECOG) score of ≤ 1 (p<0.05) were favorable prognostic factors for survival.ConclusionIntrathecal pemetrexed injections combined with systemic treatment demonstrated significant therapeutic efficacy and manageable safety in NSCLC patients with LM.
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spelling doaj-art-afe3ca8aa5c34c2dab1a9cd2c4175a762025-08-20T03:17:14ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-04-011510.3389/fonc.2025.15451741545174Intrathecal pemetrexed chemotherapy combined with systemic therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and leptomeningeal metastases: a retrospective studyWenjuan Zhong0Wenjuan Zhong1Longqiu Wu2Longqiu Wu3Zhengang Qiu4Zhengang Qiu5Wei Yu6Linfang Liu7Huaqiu Shi8Huaqiu Shi9Shugui Wu10Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, ChinaJiangxi Clinical Medical Center for Cancer, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, ChinaDepartment of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, ChinaJiangxi Clinical Medical Center for Cancer, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, ChinaDepartment of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, ChinaJiangxi Clinical Medical Center for Cancer, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, ChinaThe First Clinical Medical College, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, ChinaThe First Clinical Medical College, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, ChinaDepartment of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, ChinaJiangxi Clinical Medical Center for Cancer, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, ChinaDepartment of Oncology, The Affiliated Ganzhou Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, ChinaBackgroundLeptomeningeal metastases (LM) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) present a challenging prognosis, with systemic therapies often limited by the blood-brain barrier. However, intrathecal pemetrexed injections can increase intracranial drug concentrations, aiding in disease control.ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of combining intrathecal pemetrexed with systemic therapy in patients with NSCLC and LM.MethodsThirty-one patients with NSCLC and LM who received intrathecal pemetrexed chemotherapy between 2018 and 2022 at First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical College were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsOf the 31 patients enrolled, six had LM at initial diagnosis. The median number of intrathecal pemetrexed injections was 4 (2-26), with an intracranial control rate of 87.1% (27/31). Median iPFS was 9 months (95% CI: 2.77-15.23), and median iOS was 12 months (95% CI: 5.94-18.06 months). Most adverse events (AEs) were grade 1-2, with four (12.9%) grade 3 AEs (including two cases of grade 3 leukopenia; one, grade 3 diarrhea; one, grade 3 interstitial pneumonitis). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that the combination of bevacizumab (p<0.05) and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group(ECOG) score of ≤ 1 (p<0.05) were favorable prognostic factors for survival.ConclusionIntrathecal pemetrexed injections combined with systemic treatment demonstrated significant therapeutic efficacy and manageable safety in NSCLC patients with LM.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1545174/fullnon-small cell lung cancerleptomeningeal metastasespemetrexedintrathecal chemotherapyEGFR
spellingShingle Wenjuan Zhong
Wenjuan Zhong
Longqiu Wu
Longqiu Wu
Zhengang Qiu
Zhengang Qiu
Wei Yu
Linfang Liu
Huaqiu Shi
Huaqiu Shi
Shugui Wu
Intrathecal pemetrexed chemotherapy combined with systemic therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and leptomeningeal metastases: a retrospective study
Frontiers in Oncology
non-small cell lung cancer
leptomeningeal metastases
pemetrexed
intrathecal chemotherapy
EGFR
title Intrathecal pemetrexed chemotherapy combined with systemic therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and leptomeningeal metastases: a retrospective study
title_full Intrathecal pemetrexed chemotherapy combined with systemic therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and leptomeningeal metastases: a retrospective study
title_fullStr Intrathecal pemetrexed chemotherapy combined with systemic therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and leptomeningeal metastases: a retrospective study
title_full_unstemmed Intrathecal pemetrexed chemotherapy combined with systemic therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and leptomeningeal metastases: a retrospective study
title_short Intrathecal pemetrexed chemotherapy combined with systemic therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and leptomeningeal metastases: a retrospective study
title_sort intrathecal pemetrexed chemotherapy combined with systemic therapy in patients with non small cell lung cancer and leptomeningeal metastases a retrospective study
topic non-small cell lung cancer
leptomeningeal metastases
pemetrexed
intrathecal chemotherapy
EGFR
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1545174/full
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