Methotrexate in the chemotherapy of lung cancer.

Methotrexate (MTX) is an active agent in both non-small cell and small cell anaplastic lung cancer. A 26% partial response rate was obtained in 27 previously untreated patients with squamous cell bronchogenic tumors treated with 24-hour infusions of MTX at 400 mg/m2. Responses were seen predominantly in extrathoracic sites. In 38 evaluable patients with small cell carcinomas, 24-hour infusions of MTX at 200 mg/m2 in combination with cyclophosphamide and CCNU produced a 43% complete remission (CR) rate for a median survival of 62 weeks. Fifty-six percent of the CR's were seen in patients with extensive disease.