title: Methotrexate content in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck after low-dose methotrexate.
abstract: Eleven patients with squamous carcinoma of the head and neck who were scheduled for surgical resection or endoscopic biopsy of tumor received 15 mg/m2 of methotrexate (MTX). Samples of tumor, normal mucosa, and plasma were obtained at surgery or endoscopy, 18-24 hours after the last MTX dose. Tissue content and plasma concentration of MTX and folate were measured using sequential radioligand-binding assays. Median MTX content was 50.0 pmol/g wet weight in tumor, 19.0 in normal mucosa, and < 0.5 nM (pmol/ml) in plasma. Since dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) content of human tumors has previously been shown to be less than 5 pmol enzyme/g wet weight, tumor MTX content exceeded expected DHFR content in all but one patient. These data support the concept that low doses of MTX saturate tumor DHFR and that, in this regard, dose escalation may have limited value.
authors.affiliation: Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Schifeling
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: McGuirt
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Capizzi
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Kamen
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D005492:Folic Acid; D008727:Methotrexate