P3.07-006 Pemetrexed Exerts Intratumor Immunomodulatory Effects and Enhances Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Blockade in MC38 Syngeneic Mouse Tumor Model

Pemetrexed is a well-known folate pathway inhibitor that is used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and mesothelioma. Folate pathway is also known to play a critical role during T cell activation. However, the role of pemetrexed in modulating antitumor T cell-mediated immune response is largely unknown. Recent clinical data for cohorts C and G in the KEYNOTE-021 trial revealed compelling activity of pemetrexed-based chemotherapy in combination with PD-1 antibody (pembrolizumab) in NSCLC patients suggesting a potential positive interaction between these two therapeutic modalities.