title: Alternating methotrexate and dactinomycin in nonmetastatic gestational trophoblastic disease.
abstract: Alternating 5-day chemotherapy with methotrexate and dactinomycin as primary therapy for nonmetastatic gestational trophoblastic disease was studied in nine patients. The complete response rate was 100% with follow-up of a median of 80 months. Stomatitis was universal but rarely prevented oral alimentation or delayed therapy. Overall, 94% of toxicity was mild or moderate in severity and all toxicity was reversible. This alternating non-cross resistant regimen, reported in a total of 40 patients in the literature, is the only regimen to result in a 100% response rate. This response rate is statistically improved when compared to historical controls receiving methotrexate/folinic acid or pulse dactinomycin. No patients required hysterectomy for disease control. Cooperative prospective phase III studies are needed to determine the efficacy and toxicity of current regimens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Roswell Park Memorial Institute, Buffalo, New York 14263.
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Piver
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003609:Dactinomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013997:Time Factors; D014328:Trophoblastic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D003609:Dactinomycin; D008727:Methotrexate