METHOTREXATE

( ARTG ) Antineoplastic chemotherapy,Methotrexate has a broad spectrum of antineoplastic activity.‍‍‍‍‍‍​​​‍​​​​​​ It is indicated for the treatment of breast cancer, gestational choriocarcinoma, and in patients with chorioadenoma destruens and hydatidiform mole.,Methotrexate may be used in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents for the palliative treatment of acute leukaemias, particularly acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. It may also be used in the treatment of Burkitt's lymphoma, advanced stages (III and IV, Peters' Staging System) of lymphosarcoma, especially in children, and in advanced cases of mycosis fungoides.,High dose therapy,In high-dose schedules, methotrexate may be effective alone or in combination therapy, in the treatment of epidermoid cancers of the head and neck, osteogenic sarcoma and bronchogenic carcinoma. Calcium folinate (leucovorin calcium) must be used in conjunction with high dose methotrexate therapy.,Psoriasis chemotherapy (see Boxed Warning),Methotrexate may be of value in the symptomatic control of severe, recalcitrant, disabling psoriasis which is not adequately responsive to other forms of treatment. However, due to the high risk associated with its use, methotrexate should be used after the diagnosis has been definitely established, as by biopsy and/or after dermatologic consultation.