Paper II
Question
Methotrexate
Answer
Methotrexate is a folate-antagonist antimetabolite, cell-cycle-specific (S-phase).
MOA: methotrexate → competitively inhibits dihydrofolate reductase → blocks tetrahydrofolate regeneration → halts purine and thymidine synthesis → arrests DNA replication. Leucovorin (folinic acid) rescue allows higher, more effective doses while rescuing normal host cells from lethal antifolate toxicity.
Uses: acute lymphoblastic leukemia, lymphomas, choriocarcinoma; at much lower, non-oncologic doses — rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.
Adverse effects: bone marrow suppression, mucositis, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, teratogenicity, pulmonary fibrosis with chronic low-dose use.

