title: Low-dose methotrexate to treat erythrodermic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: results in twenty-nine patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Most patients with erythrodermic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) have intense, generalized, refractory pruritus. In some large series the median survival was approximately 3 years.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our purpose was to review our experience with methotrexate in the treatment of 29 patients with erythrodermic CTCL observed for up to 129 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective study. Data are presented in terms of response rates, freedom from treatment failure, and overall survival.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve patients (41%) achieved complete remission, and five (17%) achieved partial remission for a total response rate of 58%. The median freedom from treatment failure was 31 months, and the median survival was 8.4 years. Side effects caused treatment failure in only two patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low-dose methotrexate is a valuable first-line treatment for the majority of patients with early to intermediate-stage erythordermic CTCL.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Zackheim
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kashani-Sabet
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Hwang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003873:Dermatitis, Exfoliative / Q000188:drug therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016410:Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D008727:Methotrexate