[Curative effect of pemetrexed on the treatment of relapsed primary central nervous system lymphoma].

OBJECTIVE:To explore the efficacy and safety of pemetrexed in the treatment of relapsed primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). METHODS:Seven cases with relapsed PCNSL admitted in our hospital between August 2012 and August 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS:Of the 7 relapsed cases, ectopic recurrence occurred in 3, in situ recurrence in 3 and leptomeningeal metastasis in 1. Patients with relapsed PCNSL were administered with high-dose pemetrexed (900 mg/m²) once for every 3 weeks and supplemented with folic acid and vitamin B₁₂. Complete remission was obtained in 2 patients, partial remission in 3 patients and progressive disease in 2. The overall response rate was 71.4% (5/7). The main adverse reactions were myelosuppression and gastrointestinal reaction. CONCLUSION:Treatment of relapsed PCNSL is difficult, and its prognosis is very poor. Pemetrexed therapy is a meaningful trial.