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Methotrexate and Radiation in the Treatment of Patients with Cancer^*

P. T. Condit, G. R. Ridings, J. W. Coin, G. R. Williams, D. Mitchell, Jr. and G. W. Boles

( Oklahoma Medical Research Institute; Departments of Medicine, Radiology and Surgery, University of Oklahoma School of Medicine; and Department of Radiology, St. Anthony Hospital, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)

About one-third of patients with squamous carcinoma of the head and neck treated with methotrexate experience partial regression of tumors with associated symptomatic relief for a period of 1–3 months. Complete regression for longer periods can occur but is unusual. About two-thirds derive temporary symptomatic relief, particularly reduction of pain. These results can be achieved by large, infrequent intravenous doses with little or no drug toxicity. Intra-arterial administration of methotrexate confers no obvious advantage.

Methotrexate added to conventional protracted schedules of radiation therapy results in unacceptable drug toxicity but can be combined with short intensive courses of radiation without appreciable toxicity. The occurrence of prolonged remissions in patients with squamous carcinoma of the head and neck after treatment with less than curative doses of radiation plus methotrexate suggests that the drug potentiates the therapeutic effects of radiation.

^* Supported by Grants No. T-118 and T-119 and by a Florence L. Fenton Memorial Grant for Cancer Research from the American Cancer Society, and by Grant No. CA-05815 from the National Institutes of Health.

Presented at the 54th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, Toronto, Canada, May 24, 1963.

Present address: Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.

Present address: Providence Hospital, Anchorage, Alaska.

Present address: Billings Deaconess Hospital, Billings, Montana.

Received 3/ 2/64.