What is Methotrexate Drugs?
Methotrexate is a chemotherapy drug that can be used to treat cancer and some autoimmune diseases. It was first developed in the late 1940s and FDA approved in 1953. Since then, it has become one of the most commonly prescribed disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) worldwide due to its effectiveness against certain malignancies and inflammatory conditions.
How does Methotrexate Drugs work?
Methotrexate works by inhibiting an enzyme called dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) which is involved in folic acid metabolism. By blocking the action of this enzyme, methotrexate decreases the levels of folic acid and its derivative tetrahydrofolate in the body. This negatively impacts DNA synthesis and cell division, making it an effective treatment against rapidly dividing cancer cells and cells involved in the inflammatory response. Methotrexate is classified as an antimetabolite, meaning it interferes with nucleotide production required for DNA synthesis.
Uses of Methotrexate in Cancer
Methotrexate has been extensively used to treat several types of cancer either alone or in combination with other drugs. Some of the cancers it is commonly used for include:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Methotrexate Drugs is a first-line treatment for ALL in both children and adults. It is often part of combination chemotherapy regimens administered after initial induction chemotherapy.
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma: Methotrexate has shown activity against several subtypes of NHL and is commonly used in multi-agent chemotherapy regimens like CHOP.
- Osteosarcoma: For patients with newly diagnosed osteosarcoma, high-dose methotrexate is part of standard treatment regimens along with other chemo drugs and surgery.
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