The Evolution of Methotrexate as a Treatment for Ectopic Pregnancy and Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia : A Review

Abstract EN

Methotrexate was developed in 1949 as a synthetic folic acid analogue to compete with folic acid and thus interfere with cell replication.

While initially developed as a potential treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a serendipitous observation led to methotrexate's use to effect the dramatic cure of a case of advanced choriocarcinoma.

This prompted the exploration for the potential of methotrexate to treat other conditions involving disordered trophoblastic tissue.

Methotrexate has subsequently revolutionized the treatment of two pregnancy-related conditions—gestational trophoblastic neoplasia and ectopic pregnancy.

This article reviews the development of modern treatment protocols that use methotrexate to medically treat these two important gynaecological conditions.