This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend 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 HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by DiLorenzo, J. A. Articles by Calabresi, P. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by DiLorenzo, J. A. Articles by Calabresi, P.

Selective Alteration of Immunocompetence with Methotrexate and 5-Fluorouracil¹

Department of Medicine, Roger Williams General Hospital 02908, and Division of Bio-Medical Sciences, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912

A drug combination comprised of methotrexate (1 mg/kg given on Day 2 of the sensitization period) followed in 1 hr by 5-fluorouracil (50 mg/kg) is capable of potentiative suppression of humoral antibody production without concomitant inhibition of cell-mediated immunity. Thus, this combination suppressed 19 S hemolytic antibody production in C3HeB/FeJ mice by 88% but had no inhibitory effect upon allograft rejection in A/J mice or upon contact sensitivity to oxazolone in C3HeB/FeJ mice. Treatment during the induction of hypersensitivity to methylated bovine serum albumin, a response apparently having a cell-mediated component opposed by a humoral blocking component, resulted in strong stimulation of the edematous end point in male C3HeB/FeJ mice. Stimulation of methylated bovine serum albumin-induced hypersensitivity was also found in female mice when leucovorin was added to the regimen. This selective immunosuppressive regimen might prove beneficial in attempts to control the production of serum blocking factors.

¹ This work was supported by USPHS Grant GM 16538-05.

Received 7/23/73. Accepted 10/ 1/73.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. L. Schappell, J. C. Alper, and C. J. McDonald Treatment of Advanced Mycosis Fungoides and Sezary Syndrome With Continuous Infusions of Methotrexate Followed by Fluorouracil and Leucovorin Rescue Arch Dermatol, March 1, 1995; 131(3): 307 - 313. [Abstract] [PDF]