Journal Top Ten -- COLUMNS-Asbestos -- May 2006

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TITLE: "Physical and Chemical Stability of Pemetrexed in Infusion Solutions"

AUTHORS: Zhang Y, Trissel LA.

JOURNAL: The Annals of Pharmacotherapy. 2006 May 23; [Epub ahead of print]

SUMMARY: Pemetrexed is a multitargeted, antifolate, antineoplastic agent that is indicated for single-agent use in locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer after prior chemotherapy and in combination with cisplatin for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma not treatable by surgery. Currently, there is no information on the long-term stability of pemetrexed beyond 24 hoursPemetrexed is chemically stable for 2 days at room temperature and 31 days refrigerated in …