MANAGEMENT of toxic
MTX concentrations
LEUCOVORIN rescue
For more than 30 years,
leucovorin rescue has been a cornerstone
of HDMTX treatment.1
leucovorin rescue has been a cornerstone
of HDMTX treatment.1
- Limited effectiveness in the presence of high-circulating MTX concentrations (>10 mmol/L for 48 hours or longer)2
- Excessive doses may impact the MTX efficacy at the next HDMTX course2
- Leucovorin rescue is essential, but it does not clear MTX from the body
DIALYSIS-based methods
Haemofiltration, high-flux haemodialysis, charcoal haemoperfusion or haemofiltration, peritoneal dialysis, exchange transfusion, plasma exchange.2
- Limited effectiveness in removing methotrexate and its metabolites3
- Success rates highly variable3
- Repeated cycles may be required due to rebound effect1,4
- Methods not readily available outside of major medical centres3
- Risks associated with the insertion of vascularaccess devices, transfusion of blood products, electrolyte imbalances3
Abbreviations: HDMTX, high dose methotrexate; MTX, methotrexate.
Patients who have one or more of the following risk factors may experience delayed MTX clearance1,2,5:
Nephrotoxic comedication (NSAIDs,PPIs,etc)
BMI >=25 kg/m2
Renal insufficiency priot to HDMTX (i.e. CrCl < 60 mL/min)
Prior toxicity with HDMTX
Adult and elderly patients, as many as 60% of whom may have some degree of renal disfunction
Third spacing (pleural effusions, ascites, intracranial fluid)
Volume depletion due to vomiting, diarrhea, or other factors
Polyuria
Urine pH<7
BMI, body mass index; CrCl, creatinine clearance; NSAID, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug; PPI, proton pump inhibitor.
References
- Howard SC, et al. Preventing and managing toxicities of high-dose methotrexate. Oncologist. 2016;21(12):1471-82.
- Ramsey LB, et al. Consensus guideline for use of glucarpidase in patients with high-dose methotrexate induced acute kidney injury and delayed methotrexate clearance. Oncologist. 2018;23(1):52-61.
- Widemann BC, et al. High-dose methotrexate-induced nephrotoxicity in patients with osteosarcoma. Cancer. 2004;100(10):2222-32.
- Widemann BC, Adamson PC. Understanding and managing methotrexate nephrotoxicity. Oncologist. 2006;11(6):694-703.
- Schwartz S, Borner K, Müller K, et al. Glucarpidase (carboxypeptidase G2) intervention in adult and elderly cancer patients with renal dysfunction and delayed methotrexate elimination after high-dose methotrexate therapy. Oncologist. 2007;12:1299-1308.
UK-VRX-2600031 Date of Last Revision: February 2026
United States
Germany