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Unpredictable serum levels after oral methotrexate in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

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  • Oral Methotrexate
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Summary

Serum methotrexate levels were measured for 5 h after oral intake in 11 children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The curves obtained with the child's regular dose of methotrexate varied widely, and were independent of the doses used. Peak levels were found in samples taken up to 3 h after ingestion, and ranged from 300 to 1250 ng/ml. In the doses used, methotrexate toxicity was present in one of the eleven children, and was associated with a delayed peak and a high 5-h methotrexate level. Individual drug metabolism could be an important factor in the response to treatment, and needs to be evaluated in the assessment of protocols.

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Author notes

  1. P. J. Kearney

    Present address: Paediatric Unit, The Regional Hospital, Limerick, Ireland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Child Health, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, BS2 8BJ, Bristol, England

    P. J. Kearney & M. G. Mott

  2. Oncology Research Unit, Radiotherapy Centre, BS2 8BJ, Bristol, England

    P. Ann Light & A. Preece

Authors
  1. P. J. Kearney
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  2. P. Ann Light
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  3. A. Preece
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  4. M. G. Mott
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Kearney, P.J., Light, P.A., Preece, A. et al. Unpredictable serum levels after oral methotrexate in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Cancer Chemother. Pharmacol. 3, 117–120 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00254982

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00254982

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