GM-CSF in the treatment of a patient with severe methotrexate intoxication

J Intern Med. 1993 Jun;233(6):499-502. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2796.1993.tb01006.x.

Abstract

This case report describes the successful treatment of severe methotrexate intoxication in a 72-year-old female patient. Following two prior uneventful courses of a polychemotherapy regimen including low-dose intravenous (i.v.) methotrexate, the patient presented with fever, polymucositis, incipient pyodermia, acute renal failure and pancytopenia 9 days after the third application. Severe methotrexate overdose was confirmed by serum levels. Using a polypragmatic treatment approach focusing on renal function and including granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) this life threatening and nearly fatal intoxication was successfully treated. This case report demonstrates that GM-CSF might contribute to rapid reconstitution of leukopoiesis once methotrexate serum levels are in the subtoxic range.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / adverse effects
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Cyclophosphamide / adverse effects
  • Drug Overdose / etiology
  • Drug Overdose / therapy
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
  • Fluorouracil / adverse effects
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • Methotrexate / administration & dosage
  • Methotrexate / adverse effects
  • Methotrexate / poisoning*
  • Postoperative Care / adverse effects
  • Recombinant Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Fluorouracil
  • Methotrexate

Supplementary concepts

  • CMF regimen