cisplatin + fluorouracil + methotrexate

This drug is a combination chemotherapy regimen consisting of three antineoplastic agents: cisplatin, fluorouracil (5-FU), and methotrexate. It is used primarily in the treatment of advanced or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck and other solid tumors. The combination aims to improve response rates by using drugs with different mechanisms of action. - **Cisplatin** is a platinum-based alkylating agent that forms DNA crosslinks leading to apoptosis. - **Fluorouracil (5-FU)** is an antimetabolite that inhibits thymidylate synthase, disrupting DNA synthesis. - **Methotrexate** is a folic acid analog that inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, impairing DNA synthesis and repair. The regimen has shown improved tumor response rates compared to single-agent therapy but with increased toxicity including mucositis, hematologic toxicities, nausea, vomiting, nephrotoxicity (from cisplatin), and requires careful management. Despite higher response rates in some studies for head and neck cancer patients, overall survival benefit remains unclear.

Other names

cisplatin5-fluorouracilmethotrexate combination