Evaluation of methotrexate in the treatment of bronchogenic carcinoma

One hundred ninety-five patients with disseminated bronchogenic carcinoma were treated with 10 different dosage schedules of methotrexate. Patient response to methotrexate therapy varied with the type of treatment, but overall, 18% of the patients treated responded to a measurable degree. Survival was not increased in any of the treatment categories when compared to a placebo group; however, the survival of patients that responded to therapy was greater than the survival of patients that did not respond to therapy. Methotrexate will find its greatest potential use in combination with other drugs proven to be effective in treating bronchogenic carcinoma.