Overview of MTA in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.

Abstract

While advanced non-small cell lung cancer is a malignancy which remains largely refractory to chemotherapy, the 1990s have seen gains in both the number of agents available as well as the frequency of use of these agents in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. This report reviews several studies of MTA (multitargeted antifolate, LY23 1514), a novel antifolate, as first- and second-line treatment. MTA has been tested in advanced non-small cell lung cancer in a variety of patient populations, including those who have received no prior chemotherapy, those who have relapsed following prior platinum-containing therapy, and those who have relapsed following prior chemotherapy which did not contain platinum. In both groups MTA was found to be active, its activity in chemonaive patients was comparable (14%-23%) to currently used new drugs like taxanes and gemcitabine. Additionally, MTA has been studied in combination with cisplatin in patients who are chemotherapy-naive, with a response rate (42%) comparable to other modern combination regimens. Preliminary data appear promising and will be discussed.