Pemetrexed and Cisplatin in Treating Patients With Advanced, Persistent, or Recurrent Cervical Cancer

Inclusion Criteria

• •DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• •Histologically confirmed squamous or nonsquamous cell carcinoma of the cervix
• •* Advanced, persistent, or recurrent disease
• •Disease not amenable to curative therapy
• •Measurable disease, defined as ≥ 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion ≥ 20 mm by conventional techniques or ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT scan
• •Must have ≥ 1 target lesion to be used to assess response
• •* Tumors within a previously irradiated field will be designated as "non-target" lesions unless progression is documented or a biopsy is obtained to confirm persistence ≥ 90 days following completion of radiotherapy
• •PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• •GOG performance status 0-2
• •Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm\^3
• •ANC ≥ 1,500/mm\^3
• •Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• •Creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min
• •SGOT ≤ 2.5 times ULN (≤ 5 times ULN if due to hepatic metastases)
• •Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2.5 times ULN (≤ 5 times ULN if due to hepatic metastases)
• •Negative pregnancy test
• •Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• •Neuropathy (sensory and motor) ≤ grade 1
• •Able to take folic acid, vitamin B12, and dexamethasone according to study protocol
• •No history of other invasive malignancies within the past 5 years, except nonmelanoma skin cancer
• •No active infection requiring antibiotics with the exception of uncomplicated UTI
• •No presence of third space fluid which cannot be controlled by drainage
• •PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• •Recovered from effects of recent surgery, radiotherapy, or other therapy
• •At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy directed at the malignant tumor
• •At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy
• •More than 3 years since prior radiotherapy for localized cancer of the breast, head and neck, or skin and patient remains free of recurrent or metastatic disease
• •No prior radiotherapy to any portion of the abdominal cavity or pelvis except for the treatment of cervical cancer
• •No prior radiotherapy to more than 25% of marrow-bearing areas
• •No prior cancer treatment that contraindicates study treatment
• •No prior cytotoxic drugs for advanced or recurrent carcinoma of the cervix
• •* Prior cisplatin as a radiosensitizer for primary treatment of disease allowed
• •No nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or salicylates 2-5 days before, during, or for 2 days after receiving pemetrexed disodium
• •* No NSAIDS with a long half-life (e.g., naproxen, piroxicam, diflunisal, or nabumetone) 5 days before, during, and for 2 days after receiving pemetrexed disodium
• •Concurrent hormone replacement therapy is permitted
• •Concurrent daily low-dose acetylsalicylic acid therapy (≤ 325 mg/day) allowed
• •Concurrent use of acetylsalicylic acid (up to 1.3 g/day) allowed