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Paper II — 2016 February (2010 Scheme) — Q5

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Paper II
2016 February (2010 Scheme) · 40 marks · 120 min

Question

Methotrexate

Q53 marksShort Notes

Answer

Methotrexate is a folate antagonist (antimetabolite) used both as an anticancer drug and as a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug.

Mechanism of action

  • Inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, blocking regeneration of tetrahydrofolate, the active folate cofactor needed for purine and thymidylate synthesis
  • Impairs DNA synthesis, preferentially affecting rapidly dividing cells (S-phase specific)

Uses

  • Malignancies: acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, choriocarcinoma, osteosarcoma, lymphomas
  • Rheumatoid arthritis (low-dose, weekly — first-line DMARD)
  • Psoriasis
  • Ectopic pregnancy (medical management)
  • Immunosuppression (e.g., in transplant/autoimmune settings)

Adverse effects

  • Myelosuppression
  • Mucositis/stomatitis
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Nephrotoxicity (crystallization in renal tubules at high doses)
  • Teratogenic
  • Pulmonary fibrosis (chronic use)

Rescue agent: Folinic acid (leucovorin), used with high-dose methotrexate to rescue normal cells from toxicity

  1. 1Cancer Chemotherapy

Other Years Asked

  1. 1Mechanism of action, therapeutic uses and adverse effects of vinca alkaloids.2025 March (Supplementary (SAY)) (2019 Scheme)Short Essay · 6 marks
  2. 2Alkylating agents and their uses in cancer chemotherapy2024 March (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme)Short Answer · 4 marks
  3. 3Vinca alkaloids2024 June (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme)Short Answer · 4 marks
  4. 4Cyclophosphamide.2022 July (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme)Short Answer · 4 marks
  5. 5Methotrexate2022 February (2019 Scheme)Short Answer · 4 marks
  6. 6Methotrexate2016 October (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 3 marks
  7. 7Taxanes in cancer chemotherapy.2014 September (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 3 marks
  8. 8Cyclophosphamide2021 February (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 3 marks
  9. 9Methotrexate2024 March (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 3 marks
  10. 10Vinca alkaloids2023 March (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 3 marks
  11. 11Vinca alkaloids2014 March (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 3 marks
  12. 12Vinca Alkaloids2024 August (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 3 marks
  13. 13Methotrexate2019 February (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 3 marks
  14. 14Antibiotics used in cancer chemotherapy2021 May (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 3 marks
  15. 15Methotrexate.2017 February (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 3 marks
  16. 16Alkylating agents2022 May (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 3 marks
  17. 17Cyclophosphamide2013 April (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 3 marks
  18. 18Vinca alkaloids2020 February (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 3 marks
  19. 19Methotrexate2025 August (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 3 marks
  20. 20MESNA is administered during cyclophosphamide therapy2023 July (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 1 mark
  21. 21Rationale for the use of combination of drugs in cancer chemotherapy2017 August (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 1 mark
  22. 22Two uses of methotrexate2018 July (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 1 mark
  23. 23Methotrexate.2025 March (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 1 mark
  24. 24Antitumor antibiotics2018 February (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 1 mark
  25. 25The anticancer drug which acts by inhibiting Topoisomerase II, thereby causing DNA strand breaks is:2025 March (Supplementary (SAY)) (2019 Scheme)MCQ · 1 mark
  26. 26Aromatase inhibitors2014 September (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 1 mark
  27. 27Folinic acid along with 5 – fluorouracil2021 May (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 1 mark
  28. 28Rationale for the use of folinic acid in methotrexate toxicity.2015 September (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 1 mark
  29. 29Rationale for the use of folinic acid in methotrexate overdose2017 August (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 1 mark
  30. 30Anti tumor antibiotics2016 February (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 1 mark
  31. 31Desferrioxamine in Iron poisoning2021 February (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 1 mark
  32. 32Pharmacological basis for the combined use of drugs in cancer chemotherapy.2015 September (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 1 mark
  33. 33Why mesna is given simultaneously with cyclophosphamide.2018 February (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 1 mark
  34. 34Cell cycle specific anti metabolites2015 February (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 1 mark
  35. 35Monoclonal antibodies2016 February (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 1 mark
  36. 36Vinca alkaloids.2024 March (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 0.3 marks
  37. 37 Folinic acid to treat Methotrexate toxicity Name the following (Two examples for each) (5x1=5)2024 August (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 0.3 marks
  38. 38folic acid in Methotrexate toxicity2023 July (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 0.3 marks
  39. 39Folinic acid with methotrexate Name the following (Two examples for each) (5x1=5)2021 February (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 0.3 marks
  40. 40Vinca alkaloids in cancer chemotherapy2019 February (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 0.3 marks
  41. 41Metoclopramide in cancer chemotherapy associated vomiting2021 May (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 0.3 marks

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