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. 2012:2012:637094.
doi: 10.5402/2012/637094. Epub 2012 Feb 19.

The evolution of methotrexate as a treatment for ectopic pregnancy and gestational trophoblastic neoplasia: a review

Monika M Skubisz  1 , Stephen Tong
Affiliations

The evolution of methotrexate as a treatment for ectopic pregnancy and gestational trophoblastic neoplasia: a review

Monika M Skubisz et al. ISRN Obstet Gynecol. 2012.

Abstract

Methotrexate was developed in 1949 as a synthetic folic acid analogue to compete with folic acid and thus interfere with cell replication. While initially developed as a potential treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a serendipitous observation led to methotrexate's use to effect the dramatic cure of a case of advanced choriocarcinoma. This prompted the exploration for the potential of methotrexate to treat other conditions involving disordered trophoblastic tissue. Methotrexate has subsequently revolutionized the treatment of two pregnancy-related conditions-gestational trophoblastic neoplasia and ectopic pregnancy. This article reviews the development of modern treatment protocols that use methotrexate to medically treat these two important gynaecological conditions.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The mechanism by which methotrexate inhibits cellular proliferation. Active transporter includes the reduced folate carrier and an endocytic pathway activated by a folate receptor; dUMP: deoxyuridine monophosphate; CH2FH4: methylenetetrahydrofolate.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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