High-dose intravenous methotrexate in the management of breast cancer with leptomeningeal disease: Case series and review of the literature. Hematol Oncol Stem Cell Ther 2019 Dec;12(4):189-193
Date
10/21/2019Pubmed ID
31629723DOI
10.1016/j.hemonc.2019.08.008Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85075443191 16 CitationsAbstract
Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) in breast cancer is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. While there is currently no standard therapy, treatment options include craniospinal radiotherapy, intrathecal chemotherapy and systemic chemotherapy. Craniospinal radiotherapy has not demonstrated improved survival and intrathecal chemotherapy is often poorly tolerated due to associated neurotoxicity. The use of systemic chemotherapy can be limited by inadequate central nervous system penetration. High-dose systemic methotrexate administered intravenously (HD-MTX), has been reported to improve quality of life and provide durable remissions for LM in breast cancer. We present three cases of metastatic breast cancer and LM with prolonged survival after administration of HD-MTX. Based on our observations and review of the literature, HD-MTX seems to be a viable treatment option for patients with LM in breast cancer, and in select cases, the use of HD-MTX, as part of a multimodality treatment plan, may be associated with prolonged survival.
Author List
Kapke JT, Schneidewend RJ, Jawa ZA, Huang CC, Connelly JM, Chitambar CRAuthor
Jennifer M. Connelly MD Professor in the Neurology department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AgedBreast Neoplasms
Combined Modality Therapy
Female
Humans
Meningeal Neoplasms
Methotrexate
Middle Aged
Neoplasm Metastasis
Quality of Life
