Pemetrexed Disodium in Treating Patients With Stage IV Non-small Cell Lung Cancer and ECOG Performance Status 3

This pilot phase II trial studies how well pemetrexed disodium works in treating patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 3. Performance status means how well patients are able to perform daily activities and care for themselves. Patients with a performance status of 3 have a limited ability to move around. Currently, only patients who are able to perform most of their daily activities may receive chemotherapy, due to the side effects it may cause. Pemetrexed disodium causes fewer side effects than many chemotherapy drugs and may help treat patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer and a lower performance status.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To evaluate the effect of single agent pemetrexed (pemetrexed disodium) on tumor progression in ECOG performance status 3 patients with stage IV non-squamous histology non-small cell lung cancer in a single arm pilot study.

II. To evaluate the effect of single agent pemetrexed on quality of life in ECOG performance status 3 patients with stage IV non-squamous histology non-small cell lung cancer in a single arm pilot study.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To evaluate toxicity associated with single agent pemetrexed on tumor progression in ECOG performance status 3 patients with stage IV non-squamous histology non-small cell lung cancer in a single arm pilot study.

OUTLINE:

Patients receive pemetrexed disodium intravenously (IV) over 10 minutes on day 1. Courses repeat every 21 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up for at least 30 days and then every 6 weeks thereafter.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients must have histologically confirmed Stage IV non-squamous histology non-small cell lung cancer
* ECOG performance status of 3
* Sensitizing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), anaplastic lymphoma receptor tyrosine kinase (ALK) and ROS proto-oncogene 1, receptor tyrosine kinase (ROS-1) mutations are either negative or unknown
* Absolute neutrophil count \>= 1,500/mcL
* Platelets \>= 100,000/mcL
* Creatinine clearance \>= 45 mL/min
* Women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation; should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately
* Ability to understand and the willingness to sign an Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved informed consent document
* Ability to understand and complete the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) quality of life (QOL) instruments

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients who have previously received chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer, or have received radiotherapy within 2 weeks prior to entering the study, or who have not recovered from adverse events due to treatment more than 2 weeks earlier
* Patients whose tumors are positive for the sensitizing EGFR mutation
* Patients whose tumors are positive for the sensitizing ALK fusion
* Patients whose tumors are positive for the sensitizing ROS-1 fusion
* Patients may not be receiving any other investigational agents
* Patients with symptomatic or recurrent brain metastases should be excluded from this clinical trial
* History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to pemetrexed
* Pregnant women are excluded from this study; breastfeeding should be discontinued