carboplatin + edatrexate

Carboplatin + edatrexate is a combination chemotherapy regimen used primarily for the treatment of advanced solid tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and bladder cancer. Edatrexate is a methotrexate analog that inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, leading to disruption of folic acid metabolism necessary for DNA synthesis. It has improved intracellular transport and polyglutamation compared to methotrexate. Carboplatin is a platinum-based alkylating agent that causes DNA crosslinking and damage leading to apoptosis in rapidly dividing cells. The combination shows schedule-dependent synergism with enhanced antitumor activity compared to either drug alone. Clinical studies demonstrated tolerability with dose-limiting mucositis reduced by prophylactic ice chip cryotherapy. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of edatrexate in this combination was established at 110 mg/m2 weekly with carboplatin fixed at 350 mg/m2 every four weeks.

Other names

edatrexate plus carboplatin