Skip to content

Folinic Acid for Prevention of Pemetrexed-induced Toxicity

The Effect of Oral Folinic Acid Rescue Therapy on Pemetrexed Induced Neutropenia: A Randomized Open-label Trial

Status
UNKNOWN
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06010277
Acronym
FLEX
Enrollment
50
Registered
2023-08-24
Start date
2023-02-06
Completion date
2024-01-31
Last updated
2023-08-24

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Mesothelioma, NSCLC, Thymoma

Brief summary

Objective The main objective is to evaluate the haematological toxicity in patients who use pemetrexed with and without rescue therapy with folinic acid. Primary endpoint Difference between treatment groups in neutrophil count (\*109/L) at day 8-10 after administration of pemetrexed (nadir). Secondary endpoints The grade neutropenia (according to the CTCAE version 5, 2017) at day 8-10, the homocysteine plasma levels at baseline (predictor for developing toxicity), the efficacy of chemotherapy treatment based on response CT after cycle 2 and 4 and the incidence of discontinuation, dose delays and dose reductions of pemetrexed. Trial design The FLEX-trial is a multi-centre, open label, double arm, randomized trial to compare neutropenia in patients with and without folinic acid rescue therapy where subjects are participating for 4 treatment cycles. Population In total 50 patients (25 in each arm), \>18 years with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or mesothelioma treated with pemetrexed (in combination with other chemo- or immunotherapy) are eligible for inclusion. Interventions Follow-up will take place during the first 4 cycles of chemotherapy with pemetrexed. Patients in the intervention-arm will receive oral folinic acid orally 4 times 45mg / day for 3 days, starting 24 hours after the administration of pemetrexed.

Interventions

DRUGFolinic acid

Follow-up will take place during the first 4 cycles of chemotherapy with pemetrexed. Patients in the intervention-arm will receive oral folinic acid orally 4 times 45mg / day for 3 days, starting 24 hours after the administration of pemetrexed.

Sponsors

Albert Schweitzer Hospital
CollaboratorOTHER
Amphia Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

In order to be eligible to participate in this study, a subject must meet all of the following criteria: 1. ≥18 years old 2. Eligible for treatment with pemetrexed-based chemotherapy based on indication. 3. ECOG performance score of 0-2. 4. Subject is able and willing to sign the Informed Consent Form A potential subject who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study: 1. Contraindications for treatment with folinic acid in line with the SmPC. 1. Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients. 2. Anaemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. 2. The presence of clinically relevant drug-drug interactions, according to the current SmPC of folinic acid.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Difference in neutrophil count (*109/L) at day 8-10 after pemetrexed administration during 2 cycles of chemotherapyBetween day 8-10 in the first 2 cycles (each cycle is 21 days)To evaluate the haematological toxicity (continuous measure) in patients who use pemetrexed with and without rescue therapy with folinic acid.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Grade neutropenia (according to the CTCAE version 5, 2017) at day 8-10 after pemetrexed administration during 2 cycles of chemotherapyBetween day 8-10 in the first 2 cycles (each cycle is 21 days)To evaluate the difference in haematological toxicity based on the CTCAE criteria for neutrophil count
Homocysteine plasma levels at baseline (μmol/L)Once, before the start of the first cycle (each cycle is 21 days)To evaluate the influence of baseline homocysteine plasma levels on occurrence of haematological toxicity.
Efficacy based on response CT after cycle 2 and 4 (categorical: response, partial response, progression)After the second and fourth cycle (each cycle is 21 days)To evaluate the efficacy of the treatment with pemetrexed (based on CT-scan).
Incidence of discontinuation, dose delays and dose reductions of pemetrexed3 monthsTo evaluate the incidence of treatment delay or dose reduction of pemetrexed.

Countries

Netherlands

Contacts

Primary ContactRamon Contrucci, MSc
rcontrucci@amphia.nl0765954354
Backup ContactNikki de Rouw, Phd
nderouw@amphia.nl0765957757

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026