Enhanced Radiosensitization of Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells by Pemetrexed When Combined With Methoxyamine to Inhibit Base Excision Repair

Abstract

The multi-target folate inhibitor Pemetrexed (Pem) has been introduced to regimens of radiation therapy (RT) and a platin for treatment of Stage III non-squamous cell lung cancer. In vitro studies suggest radiosensitization by Pem in human lung cancer cell lines. Pem and certain other drugs (fludarabine, temozolomide) are more effective when delivered in conjunction with the base-excision repair (BER) inhibitor methoxyamine (MX). MX covalently reacts with abasic sites generated by these drugs, preventing further steps in BER.