Description
Methotrexate sodium is a type of chemotherapy called an antimetabolite. Methotrexate sodium kills cancer cells by preventing them from making DNA. Methotrexate sodium may also help the body’s immune system kill the cancer.
Methotrexate sodium is approved to be used alone or with other drugs to treat:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), including ALL that has spread to the central nervous system, or to prevent it from spreading there. It is used in adults and children.
- Breast cancer.
- Gestational trophoblastic disease.
- Head and neck cancer (certain types).
- Lung cancer.
- Mycosis fungoides (a type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma) that is advanced. It is used in adults.
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma that is advanced. It is used in adults.
- Osteosarcoma that has not spread to other parts of the body. It is used following surgery to remove the primary tumor.
Methotrexate sodium is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.