The excellent review by Drs. Takimoto and Allegra summarizes the current status of the new antifolates in clinical development. Based on knowledge of why methotrexate(Drug information on methotrexate) is ineffective in the treatment of many tumors (ie, either intrinsic or acquired resistance), and on the identification of new targets for folate inhibitors (eg, thymidylate synthase [TS] and glycinamide ribonucleotide [GAR] transformylase), new antifolate development has recently received a great deal of attention from both industry and academic centers.
Trimetrexate(Drug information on trimetrexate) with leucovorin protection (not rescue) has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of Pneumocystis carinii infections. A phase I study using trimetrexate to biochemically modulate fluorouracil(Drug information on fluorouracil)-leucovorin showed an encouraging response rate of 20% in patients with tumors previously treated with fluorouracil-leucovorin. Phase II studies with this combination are in progress in patients with untreated colorectal cancer.
Another potentially exciting use of trimetrexate with leucovorin protection is the treatment of human malignancies that have impaired ability to transport methotrexate or reduced folates. Thus, acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells propagated in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice, which are resistant to methotrexate as a result of decreased function of the reduced folate carrier transporter, were found to be sensitive to trimetrexate with leucovorin protection, using a schedule similar to that used to treat P carinii [1]. Clinical studies of this combination are planned in patients whose tumor cells demonstrate this phenotype.
Edatrexate, a "better methotrexate" (as discussed by Takimoto and Allegra), may have its greatest value when used in combination with paclitaxel(Drug information on paclitaxel) (Taxol), cisplatin(Drug information on cisplatin) (Platinol), or alkylating agents, as shown in preclinical models. Early results in the clinic are encouraging [2].Also of interest is the effectiveness of this drug for the treatment of malignant fibrous histiocytoma, a sarcoma subtype [3].
Thymidylate Synthase Inhibitors
Perhaps the most exciting of the second-generation antifolates are the TS inhibitors. As in the case of dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors, TS-inhibiting compounds that are either ex- tensively polyglutamylated or that cannot be polyglutamylated are in clinical trials. Among the former, Tomudex has significant activity in colon cancer, and is now being tested in a phase III trial that is comparing its activity with that of fluorouracil-leucovorin. Tomudex and CPT-11 are the first new effective drugs found to treat colon cancer since the introduction of fluorouracil. The combination of Tomudex and fluorouracil has produced sequence-dependent synergy in colon cancer cell lines, [4] and plans are being formulated to test this combination in the clinic.
Finally, in addition to Tomudex, the Agouron compound AG-377 is now in phase II trials, and it will be of great interest to learn whether compounds like AG-377, which do not require polyglutamylation for activity, are active against tumors intrinsically resistant to methotrexate that have impaired polyglutamylate formation. In this regard, the Burroughs Wellcome compound 1843U89, a TS inhibitor also in phase I clinical trials, is converted only to the diglutamate and yet is retained by cells [5]. This compound has promising preclinical activity, even in methotrexate-resistant cell lines [6].
The next 5 years should be exciting ones, as the spectrum of activity of these compounds, as well as their use in combination and in new treatment approaches are investigated.
A 52-year-old man presented with an erythematous lesion in the axilla of unknown duration. Surgical excision was performed. What is your diagnosis?
