The methotrexate story: a paradigm for development of cancer chemotherapeutic agents

Methotrexate (MTX), one of the earliest cancer chemotherapy agents, continues to be used extensively in the treatment of leukemia and a variety of other tumors. The efficacy of this drug results from its facile uptake by cells, rapid polyglutamylation and virtually stoichiometric inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), a key enzyme in cell replication. From the work of a multitude of biochemists, molecular biologists, organic chemists and pharmacologists, much is known about the mode of action of MTX and the mechanisms by which tumors exhibit inherent or acquired resistance to this drug. MTX enters cells primarily by a carrier-mediated active transport system whose principal substrate is 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, and additional glutamates are added to the gamma-position of the parent glutamate moiety. The tight binding of MTX to DHFR is defined from NMR and X-ray crystallographic studies of the enzyme and its drug or substrate complexes, supplemented by site-directed mutagenesis to confirm specific interactions. Resistance to the drug, encountered in cell culture model systems or in cancer patients, can result from an increased level of DHFR (due to gene amplification), mutant DHFR with reduced affinity for MTX, or decreased uptake or polyglutamylation of the drug. Although DHFR is an extremely well-studied enzyme, there is still some uncertainty about its kinetics, mechanism for reduction of folate, multiple forms, and activation by a diverse group of agents. Prodrug forms of MTX, e.g., MTX alpha-phenylalanine, which can be activated by carboxypeptidase A-monoclonal antibody conjugates, offer promise for improved efficacy of the drug by selective targeting to tumors. The large body of information summarized above has aided in the development of other folate antagonists, provides a paradigm for assessing the status of other cancer chemotherapeutic agents in current use, and offers a platform from which to speculate about the future of the field.