ABSTRACT
Purpose: To establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and safety profile of bi-weekly Pemetrexed (PEM) when combined with weekly cisplatin (CDDP) and standard dose external beam radiation (EBRT) in patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) carcinomas. Methods: We conducted an open label, single institution, phase I dose escalation study designed to evaluate up to 15–35 patients with advanced or metastatic esophageal and GEJ carcinomas. Results: 10 patients were treated with bi-weekly PEM, weekly CDDP, and EBRT. The MTD of bi-weekly PEM was determined to be 500 mg/m2.