Background and purpose:Five-year survival rate of post-operation patients with non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)is less than 40%.Treatments after recurrence are difficult.Our study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of pemetrexed on postoperative recurrence of NSCLC.Methods:From Jan.2006 to Sep.2008,40 NSCLC with postoperative recurrence were observed.All patients had received pemetrexed(ALIMTA)500 mg/m2 or carboplatin eonbined.Results:Among the 40 patients,partial response in 10 patients(25.00%),stable disease in 19 patients(47.50%),progressive disease in 11 patients(27.50%).The total response rate was 25.00%and clinical benefit control rate was 72.50%.Pemetrexed had significantly better disease control rate in female than in male (9 1.30% vs 47.06%,P=0.034),in adenocarcinoma patients than in non-adenocarcinoma's(87.10% vs 22.22%,P=0.001).Median overall survival time(MST)was 10.70 months.Progression-free survival time(PFS)was 5.18 months.Adenocarcinoma patients had longer PFS than non-adenocarcinoma patients.Conclusion:Pemetrexed demonstrates significant antitumor activity and good tolerance in these patients.