Systematic Analysis of Pemetrexed-based Chemoradiotherapy for Patients with Locally Advanced or Metastatic Esophageal Cancer

Purpose: This systematic analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pemetrexed-basedchemoradiotherapy in treating patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal cancer.
Methods: Clinicalstudies evaluating the efficacy and safety of pemetrexed based regimens on response and safety for relevant patientswere identified using a predefined search strategy. Pooled response rates (RRs) were calculated.
Results: Forpemetrexed-based regimens, 4 clinical studies including 47 patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophagealcancer were considered eligible for inclusion. Systematic analysis showed that, in all patients, the pooled RR was51% (24/47) . Major adverse effects of grade III/IV were esophagitis, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemiaanorexia, fatigue, diarrhea, dysphagia and vomiting. No treatment related death occurred with pemetrexed-basedtreatment.
Conclusion: This systematic analysis suggests that pemetrexed based radiotherapy is associated withreasonable activity and good tolerability in treating patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophagealcancer.