Pemetrexed, Cisplatin, and Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Esophageal or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2015-09-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
RATIONALE: Pemetrexed may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes
needed for cell growth. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cisplatin, work in different ways
to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from
dividing. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Cisplatin may make
tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy. Giving pemetrexed together with cisplatin
and radiation therapy may kill more tumor cells.
PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of pemetrexed when
given together with cisplatin and radiation therapy in treating patients with stage III or
stage IV esophageal cancer or gastroesophageal junction cancer.