A SINGLE INSTITUTION EXPERIENCE WITH WEEKLY INTRAMUSCULAR METHOTREXATE FOR NONMETASTATIC GESTATIONAL TROPHOBLASTIC DISEASE

The purpose of this study is to report our experience with weekly intr amuscular methotrexate for nonmetastatic gestational trophoblastic dis ease, Treatment was begun at a dose of 40 mg/m(2) and escalated weekly by 5-10 mg/m(2), depending upon response and tolerance, to a maximum dose of 60 mg/m(2). Remission was induced with weekly intramuscular me thotrexate alone in 12 (60%) of 20 patients in 2-12 (median 8) weeks, The remaining 7 patients had a complete response to alternate chemothe rapy, There were no major toxicities, Although the results of the pres ent study are less favorable in terms of response, the overall publish ed results using weekly intramuscular methotrexate for nonmetastatic g estational trophoblastic disease indicate that it is comparable in eff icacy to other first-line treatments while having the advantages of co nvenience, low cost, and low toxicity. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.