The results from the interim analysis were not favorable to continue this trial.

Patients with relapsed or chemotherapy-refractory SCLC have a dismal prognosis. Unfortunately, available treatments result in few durable responses. Pemetrexed is a well-tolerated agent, which is active in NSCLC. Since chemotherapy agents, which are active in NSCLC, are usually also active in SCLC, this trial will examine the efficacy and activity of pemetrexed in this palliative setting

OUTLINE: This is a multi-center study.

• Pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 i.v. q 3 wks

All patients will also receive folic acid 350-1000 mcg. po once daily beginning approximately 1 week prior to the first dose of pemetrexed and continuing until completion of pemetrexed, Vitamin B12 1000 mcg. IM every 9 weeks beginning approximately 1 week prior to the first dose of pemetrexed and continuing until completion of pemetrexed, and dexamethasone 4 mg po bid the day before, the day of, and the day following each treatment with pemetrexed

Chest x-ray will be performed prior to each cycle (if other disease assessment by imaging is not performed) in order to ensure patients are not rapidly progressing.

Cycles are repeated every 3 weeks for up to 6 cycles or PD or intolerable side effects.

Performance Status: ECOG 0, 1, or 2

Life Expectancy: Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• WBC > 3000/mm3
• ANC > 1500/mm3
• Platelet count > 100,000/mm3
• Hemoglobin > 8 g/dL

Hepatic:

• Bilirubin < 1.0 X upper limit of normal
• Aspartate aminotransferase (AST, SGOT) < 2.5 x upper limit of normal. AST may be < 5 x upper limit of normal for patients with liver metastasis

Renal:

• Creatinine clearance of > 45 ml/ min (by Cockcroft-Gault)

Cardiovascular:

• No unstable or uncompensated cardiovascular conditions

Pulmonary:

• No unstable or uncompensated respiratory conditions

Inclusion Criteria:

• Histological or cytological proof of neuroendocrine cancers (including small cell cancers of any site [including lung] or poorly differentiated neuroendocrine cancers of the lung with (unidimensionally) measurable disease as per the RECIST criteria
• Chemoresistant or chemosensitive disease
• Patients must have received treatment with at least one but not more than 2 prior chemotherapy regimens, including one regimen containing a platinum agent
• Radiation therapy must have completed their radiation at least 14 days prior to being registered for protocol therapy, and toxicities due to radiation must have recovered to < grade 1 or baseline prior to registration
• Negative pregnancy test

Exclusion Criteria:

• No clinically significant infections as judged by the treating investigator
• No symptomatic CNS metastasis
• No radiation to > 25% of the marrow containing spaces
• No previous treatment with pemetrexed
• No uncontrolled pleural effusions
• No current breastfeeding