This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Capizzi, R. L. Articles by Bertino, J. R. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Capizzi, R. L. Articles by Bertino, J. R.

Methotrexate Therapy of Head and Neck Cancer: Improvement in Therapeutic Index by the Use of Leucovorin "Rescue"¹

Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510

Twenty-one patients with advanced epidermoid carcinoma of the head and neck were treated with 24-hr infusions of methotrexate followed by leucovorin rescue repeated at 4-day intervals. Thirteen of the 21 patients responded with a greater than 50% reduction of tumor mass and 7 of the 13 sustained a greater than 75% reduction. The median duration of tumor regression was 16 weeks. In general, toxicity was tolerable. The rationale of this regimen and its comparison with other methotrexate schedules is discussed.

¹ Supported by Grant T-430 from the American Cancer Society and USPHS Grant CA-0841.

² Formerly USPHS Postdoctoral Research Fellow (CA-05138). Present address: Molecular Biology Branch, Edgewood Arsenal, Edgewood, Md.

³ Career Development Awardee of the National Cancer Institute (1-K3-CA-8853-06).

Received 11/26/69. Accepted 2/13/70.