METHOTREXATE SERUM

HLAB/HOL Code: MTX
UPHSM LIS Test #: 022380
Schedule:
Testing Time: 2-4 Days
Testing Lab: LabCorp

Cause for Rejection:
Gel-barrier tube

Methotrexate, either alone or in combination regimens depending on the patient's risk factors, have been very effective in women with choriocarcinoma and related trophoblastic tumors. Cures have been reported in most individuals treated with low doses of methotrexate plus leucovorin. Although methotrexate induces complete remissions in acute lymphocytic leukemia of childhood, it is of more value for maintenance therapy and is an agent of choice in combination with mercaptopurine. Furthermore, intrathecal methotrexate and cranial irradiation are administered routinely to patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia to prevent meningeal metastases. Methotrexate is a component of combination regimens used to treat non-Hodgkin and Burkitt lymphomas and breast, lung, bladder, cervical, gastric, and ovarian carcinomas. High-dose methotrexate plus leucovorin rescue (with or without other drugs) is used to treat osteogenic sarcoma, some non-Hodgkin lymphomas, and (by some physicians) head and neck tumors. Methotrexate is a primary agent in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas and medulloblastoma. It has shown activity as a single agent against testicular cancer; bladder, lung, colorectal, esophageal, hepatocellular, and cervical carcinomas; soft tissue sarcomas; and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. For some of these neoplasms (testicular, colorectal, and hepatocellular cancers; soft tissue sarcomas and rhabdomyosarcoma) more effective regimens are available and are used much more frequently than methotrexate.

Therapeutic: 0.02−5.00 μmol/L
Potentially toxic: after 24 hours: >5.00 μmol/L, after 48 hours: >0.50 μmol/L, after 72 hours: >0.05 μmol/L