Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.
Pemetrexed is an antifolate chemotherapy medicine: it blocks several folate-dependent enzymes, above all thymidylate synthase, so cancer cells cannot make the building blocks of DNA. It is used for non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer and for mesothelioma. Folic acid and vitamin B12 are given alongside to reduce side effects. It is sold as Alimta, among other names.
Pemetrexed is not broken down by liver enzymes; the kidneys clear it. Studies have looked at genes of the folate pathway it acts on: its main target TYMS, the folate carrier SLC19A1, MTHFR, DHFR and GGH, for how well it worked and for side effects. The findings come from single or a few studies, and there is no CPIC or DPWG guideline.
Every published finding on gene variants and Pemetrexed. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.
PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.
MTHFR rs1801131: Level 3. Efficacy: Neoplasms. 4.
MTHFR rs1801133: Level 3. Efficacy: Mesothelioma, Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma. 2.
SLC19A1 rs1051298: Level 3. Efficacy: Mesothelioma, Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma. 2.
ABCC2 rs2273697: Level 3. Efficacy: Mesothelioma. 1.
Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.
Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.
More drugs from the same category
Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.
Content updated September 2026.
ReadYourDNA provides educational interpretation of DNA data you already have. It is not diagnostic, not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to a clinician before acting on any result.
Raw DNA Data Reports for 23andMe & AncestryDNA · About ReadYourDNA · FAQ · Methodology & Science · Pricing · Support and complaints · Legal & Contact · Health Traits · Pharmacogenomics · Carrier Status · Variant Explorer · The Human Karyotype · Privacy Policy · Terms of Service · Accessibility · Consumer Health Data Privacy · Your Privacy Choices · Editorial Standards · Your Data, Checkable · Sample Report · ReadYourDNA and Promethease compared · What is inside a 23andMe raw data file · What is inside an AncestryDNA raw data file · What a chatbot can and cannot do with your raw DNA file · Where a raw DNA file can still be uploaded in 2026
Written, maintained and operated by Martin Pechhacker, sole proprietor, Vienna, Austria. Trade register GISA 40064420. support@readyourdna.com