title: [Sequential methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil].
abstract: There are two purported biochemical mechanisms to explain the sequence-dependent synergy between methotrexate (MTX) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). One hypothesis is to increase incorporation of FU-TP into RNA and another is more sustained inhibition of DNA synthesis. Clinical studies on MTX.5-FU, significantly higher response rates and longer survival have been reported in gastric and colorectal cancer, especially high dose MTX.5-FU and adriamycin (FAMTX) in gastric cancer. An optimal schedule for treatment has not yet been found. Reviewing data from the literature, a one-3 hour interval between the two drugs in gastric cancer and 3-8 hours in colorectal cancer seems to obtain better results. Sequential MTX.5-FU seems to be a very promising combination.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Chemotherapy, Tokyo Metropolitan Komagome Hospital.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sasaki
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D005472:Fluorouracil; D008727:Methotrexate