Certain type of brain tumour patient reacts well to high dose of Methotrexate

In a recent study published in January 29, 2008 issue of Neurology a medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, people with certain type of brain tumour live longer by taking high doses of the chemotherapy drug Methotrexate.

Tracy Batchelor, MD with Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Centre in Boston said, “Our findings show high-dose methotrexate alone or in combination with other chemotherapy drugs is the most effective treatment available for primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL).

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Batchelot authored the study.

During the research 25 adult who were newly detected with PCNSL were given high dose of methotrexate every two weeks for four months or until the tumour dissolved, the patient were then followed for 6 and a half year.

The result was compared to the patient who received radiation therapy, in this study in which patients were given high doses of methotrexate, complete diminution was found in 52% of the patients while 40% of these patients have not relapsed after an average of seven years.

Contrary to one year average survival rate of patients who received radiation therapy, the average for those receiving methotrexate was 4 and half year.

“Our findings support the role of methotrexate as a critical chemotherapy drug in the treatment of this type of brain tumour,” said Batchelor. “Moreover, it appears some people may achieve a long remission through the methotrexate alone.”

This high dose of methotrexate though has appeared to benefit the patient but more studies are to be done to find the best dose of methotrexate which can yield most effective research with fewer side effects.