Pemetrexed injected into the spinal fluid for EGFR‑mutant lung cancer that has spread to the leptomeninges.
Official title: Efficacy of Intrathecal Pemetrexed Combined With Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor for Treating Leptomeningeal Metastasis in EGFR-Mutant NSCLC After Failure of Osimertinib
Run by Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan · NCT05805631 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This tests whether giving pemetrexed directly into the spinal fluid helps people with EGFR‑mutant non‑small cell lung cancer whose cancer has spread to the leptomeninges after osimertinib has stopped working.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 20 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 23 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan Government |
| Drugs / interventions | denosumab, osimertinib, chemotherapy, immunotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Taipei, Taiwan) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 1, 2024 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | March 24, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT05805631 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (≥20 years) with non‑squamous EGFR‑mutant NSCLC, probable or confirmed leptomeningeal metastasis, intracranial progression after osimertinib, stable extracranial disease, ECOG 0–3, and adequate marrow, liver, and renal function are the intended candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients without EGFR activating mutations, with squamous histology, uncontrolled extracranial progression, poor organ function, or very limited life expectancy are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a single‑center phase II interventional trial giving intrathecal pemetrexed to patients with EGFR‑mutant non‑small cell lung cancer and leptomeningeal metastasis who have shown intracranial progression on osimertinib. Eligible patients must have probable or confirmed leptomeningeal disease by EANO‑ESMO criteria, stable extracranial disease, ECOG performance status 0–3, and adequate organ function. Treatment consists of pemetrexed delivered into the cerebrospinal fluid with safety and intracranial disease control monitored by MRI, CSF analysis, neurological exams, and routine labs. The trial aims to measure neurological response, CSF cytology/radiographic changes, and safety outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce neurological symptoms and better control leptomeningeal disease, potentially prolonging survival for some patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous phase I/II reports and case series have suggested intrathecal pemetrexed can have activity in NSCLC leptomeningeal disease, but evidence remains limited and not yet definitive.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria * At least 20 years of age. * Patients with metastatic non-squamous NSCLC harboring known EGFR activating mutation and with a diagnosis of probable or confirmed LM by the European Association of Neuro-Oncology-European Society for Medical Oncology (EANO-ESMO) guideline. \[5\] EGFR activating mutations include exon19 deletion, T790M, L858R, G719X, L861Q, or S768I. * Intracranial disease progression after osimertinib use, proved by contrast-enhanced MRI * Stable extra-cranial disease status, judged by investigators. * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-3 and a minimum life expectancy of 12 weeks * Normal bone marrow and organ function as defined below: * Marrow: Hemoglobin ≥9gm/dL, ANC ≥1500/mm3 platelets ≥100,000/mm3 * Hepatic: Serum total bilirubin ≤1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN), ALT (SGPT) and AST (SGOT) ≤3 x ULN. * Renal: Creatinine clearance (Ccr) ≥45 mL/min. * For female patients of childbearing potential, agreement (by patient and/or partner) to use a highly effective form(s) of contraception that results in a low failure rate (\< 1% per year) when used consistently and correctly, and to continue its use for 5 months after the last dose of IP. Such methods include: combined (estrogen and progestogen containing) hormonal contraception, progestogen-only hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation together with another additional barrier method always containing a spermicide, intrauterine device (IUD), intrauterine hormone-releasing system (IUS), bilateral tubal occlusion, vasectomized partner (on the understanding that this is the only one partner during the whole study duration), and sexual abstinence. * Ability to understand and willingness to sign an IRB approved written informed consent document. * Willing to provide CSF and plasma samples for ctDNA analysis. Exclusion criteria * Uncontrolled extra-CNS disease which needs other systemic treatment than EGFR-TKI. * Uncontrolled tumor-related pain * Uncontrolled or symptomatic hypercalcemia (\> 1.5 mmol/L ionized calcium or Ca \> 12 mg/dL or corrected serum calcium \> ULN). Patients who are receiving denosumab prior to study enrollment must be willing and eligible to receive a bisphosphonate instead while in the study. * Malignancies other than NSCLC within 5 years prior to study enrollment, with the exception of those with a negligible risk of metastasis or death (e.g., expected 5-year OS \> 90%) treated with expected curative outcome (such as adequately treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix, basal or squamous-cell skin cancer, localized prostate cancer treated surgically with curative intent, ductal carcinoma in situ treated surgically with curative intent) * On chronic systemic steroid therapy more than 20 mg prednisolone per day (or equivalent) or on any other form of immunosuppressive medication * Has received a live-virus vaccination within 30 days of planned treatment start * Systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy or major surgery within 2 weeks of the first dose of study medication * Active infection requiring therapy * History of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. * Hepatitis B carrier: Patients with HBV infection were required to be receiving effective antiviral therapy and have a viral load less than 100 IU/mL at screening * Active Hepatitis C * Has received intrathecal chemotherapy within 2 weeks before the start of IP * Has received whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) within 2 weeks before the start of IP * Uncontrolled epilepsy * History of allergic reaction to intravenous pemetrexed. * Severe coagulation abnormality (INR \> 2). * Severe symptomatic hydrocephalus that requires other treatment modalities other than IP * Bulky intra-cranial lesion that requires other treatment modalities other than IP
Where it's running
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Department of Chest Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital
Taipei, Taiwan, Taiwan Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Chi-Lu Chiang, MD
- Email: clchiang@vghtpe.gov.tw
- Phone: 886228712121
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Boosting outcomes after osimertinib plus chemotherapy by adding surgery or focal radiation to the primary lung tumor
This trial will test whether giving surgery or focused radiation to the main lung tumor helps people with EGFR-mutant advanced non-small cell lung cancer who have disease controlled after first-line osimertinib plus chemotherapy stay progression-free longer.
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Comparing intra-pemetrexed with osimertinib for treating leptomeningeal metastasis in lung cancer
This study is testing whether combining a specific type of chemotherapy with a targeted lung cancer drug can help people with leptomeningeal metastasis from lung cancer feel better compared to using the targeted drug alone.
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Intrathecal pemetrexed for leptomeningeal metastases after osimertinib in lung adenocarcinoma
This trial will try giving pemetrexed directly into the spinal fluid to treat leptomeningeal metastases in people with EGFR‑mutant lung adenocarcinoma whose cancer progressed after double‑dose osimertinib.
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Combining gene therapy with osimertinib for advanced lung cancer patients
This study is testing a new gene therapy combined with osimertinib to see if it can help people with advanced lung cancer who haven't responded to their current treatment.
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Osimertinib Plus SRS/SRT for EGFR-Mutant NSCLC with Symptomatic Brain Metastases
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.