Comparison of pulse methotrexate and pulse dactinomycin in the treatment of low-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.

Author(s): Gilani MM, Yarandi F, Eftekhar Z, Hanjani P

Affiliation(s): Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Publication date & source: 2005-04, Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol., 45(2):161-4.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

Methotrexate and dactinomycin are efficient drugs in the treatment of patients with low-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (LRGTN). To compare the effectiveness of these two drugs in LRGTN, 46 patients were randomised to receive weekly intramuscular methotrexate at 30 mg/m(2) (n = 28) or intravenous dactinomycin at 1.25 mg/m(2) every 2 weeks (n = 18). Fourteen patients (50%) in the methotrexate group and 16 patients (89%) in the dactinomycin group achieved complete response. Greater patient convenience and a lower number of required visits make dactinomycin superior to other alternatives.