How it is administered

Methotrexate can be taken in several forms depending on your treatment plan:

• Oral tablets or oral solution: Swallowed by mouth, often once weekly. Brands include Jylamvo (oral solution), Trexall, Xatmep, and generic methotrexate tablets.
• Injection: Given by a healthcare professional or sometimes at home. It can be injected into a vein (intravenous), muscle (intramuscular), under the skin (subcutaneous), or into the spinal fluid (intrathecal) for certain types of leukemia or lymphoma.

Your doctor will decide the best form and dose for you based on your diagnosis and treatment plan.

How it works

Methotrexate is a type of chemotherapy medicine known as an antimetabolite. It works by blocking an enzyme called dihydrofolate reductase. This enzyme is needed for cells to make DNA and other genetic material. By blocking this enzyme, methotrexate stops cancer cells from making new DNA, which prevents them from growing and dividing.

Because methotrexate targets rapidly dividing cells, it is especially effective against blood cancers like lymphoblastic lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. However, it can also affect healthy cells that divide quickly, such as those in the bone marrow, mouth, and gut, which is why side effects can occur. Methotrexate is often used as part of a combination chemotherapy regimen to increase its effectiveness and reduce the risk of cancer cells becoming resistant.

Who Should take it

Methotrexate is used to treat both adults and children with certain types of blood cancers, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, such as lymphoblastic lymphoma. It is usually given as part of a combination chemotherapy regimen, meaning it is used with other cancer medicines to increase effectiveness.

Your doctor may recommend methotrexate if you have been diagnosed with these cancers, and it may be used during different phases of treatment, such as maintenance therapy to help keep the cancer from coming back. Methotrexate is also used for other conditions, but in the context of blood cancers, it is a key part of many treatment protocols.

Who should not take it

Methotrexate should not be taken by:

• Pregnant women being treated for non-cancerous conditions, as it can cause serious harm to an unborn baby.
• Anyone with a history of severe allergic reactions to methotrexate.

Caution is needed in people with liver disease, kidney problems, or certain blood disorders. Your doctor will check your health history and may do blood tests before starting treatment. Always tell your healthcare team about all your medical conditions and any medicines you are taking. Methotrexate can interact with other medications and may not be safe for everyone.

Commonly used with

Methotrexate is most often used as part of a combination chemotherapy regimen for blood cancers. This means it is given together with other chemotherapy medicines, such as vincristine, prednisone, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and others, depending on your specific treatment plan.

The combination approach helps target cancer cells in different ways and can improve treatment outcomes.

Commonly tested with

Methotrexate is commonly studied and used in combination with other chemotherapy agents in clinical trials for blood cancers, including lymphoblastic lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. These may include drugs like vincristine, asparaginase, cytarabine, and others, depending on the specific protocol being tested.

Your doctor will select the best combination based on the latest research and your individual needs.