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Hypersensitivity reactions to trimetrexate

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Summary

Trimetrexate is a nonclassical antifol currently being tested for efficacy in cancer patients and as an antiparasitic agent against Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in AIDS patients. We have now received the first reports of hypersensitivity reactions in Phase II cancer trials. Two types of reactions were noted. The most severe reaction, immediate hypotension with loss of consciousness, occurred in only one patient. Four other patients exhibited an immediate systemic effect with one or more of the following symptoms: facial flushing, fever, shaking, pruritus, bronchospasm, periorbital edema, and difficulty in swallowing. Immediate hypersensitivity should now be considered a known side effect of trimetrexate therapy, occurring in < 2% of patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Investigational Drug Branch, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, Division of Cancer Treatment, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD

    Jean L. Grem & Susan A. King

  2. Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA

    Mary E. Costanza

  3. Department of Medicine/Oncology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Thomas D. Brown

Authors
  1. Jean L. Grem
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  2. Susan A. King
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  3. Mary E. Costanza
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  4. Thomas D. Brown
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Grem, J.L., King, S.A., Costanza, M.E. et al. Hypersensitivity reactions to trimetrexate. Invest New Drugs 8, 211–214 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00177263

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