Biomaterial Database

Methotrexate absorption in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. 1981

A W Craft, and A Rankin, and W Aherne

The absorption of oral methotrexate (MTX) has been studied in 124 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Blood levels of MTX were very variable and unpredictable. There was a 20-fold difference between the highest and lowest peak level achieved. Division into two groups has shown that those children who absorb MTX slowly have a worse disease-free survival. It is possible that MTX damages the intestinal mucosa and causes a malabsorption of itself in some children. It is suggested that future protocols for the treatment of ALL should include pharmacokinetic studies, which may help to explain the unexpected relapses of good prognosis patients and lead to the development of more effective treatment.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007408	Intestinal Absorption	Uptake of substances through the lining of the INTESTINES.	Absorption, Intestinal
D007945	Leukemia, Lymphoid	Leukemia associated with HYPERPLASIA of the lymphoid tissues and increased numbers of circulating malignant LYMPHOCYTES and lymphoblasts.	Leukemia, Lymphocytic,Lymphocytic Leukemia,Lymphoid Leukemia,Leukemias, Lymphocytic,Leukemias, Lymphoid,Lymphocytic Leukemias,Lymphoid Leukemias
D008297	Male		Males
D008727	Methotrexate	An antineoplastic antimetabolite with immunosuppressant properties. It is an inhibitor of TETRAHYDROFOLATE DEHYDROGENASE and prevents the formation of tetrahydrofolate, necessary for synthesis of thymidylate, an essential component of DNA.	Amethopterin,Methotrexate Hydrate,Methotrexate Sodium,Methotrexate, (D)-Isomer,Methotrexate, (DL)-Isomer,Methotrexate, Dicesium Salt,Methotrexate, Disodium Salt,Methotrexate, Sodium Salt,Mexate,Dicesium Salt Methotrexate,Hydrate, Methotrexate,Sodium, Methotrexate
D011379	Prognosis	A prediction of the probable outcome of a disease based on a individual's condition and the usual course of the disease as seen in similar situations.	Prognostic Factor,Prognostic Factors,Factor, Prognostic,Factors, Prognostic,Prognoses
D012008	Recurrence	The return of a sign, symptom, or disease after a remission.	Recrudescence,Relapse,Recrudescences,Recurrences,Relapses
D002648	Child	A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL.	Children
D002675	Child, Preschool	A child between the ages of 2 and 5.	Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D004334	Drug Administration Schedule	Time schedule for administration of a drug in order to achieve optimum effectiveness and convenience.	Administration Schedule, Drug,Administration Schedules, Drug,Drug Administration Schedules,Schedule, Drug Administration,Schedules, Drug Administration
D005260	Female		Females