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In vivo folic acid supplementation partially corrects in vitro methotrexate toxicity in patients with Down syndrome
Author(s) -
Peeters Marie A.,
Rethore MarieOdile,
Lejeune Jérocme
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.1995.tb08390.x
Subject(s) - methotrexate , in vivo , toxicity , pharmacology , antifolate , in vitro , folic acid , medicine , antimetabolite , chemistry , biology , biochemistry , genetics
Patients with Down syndrome have been found to have characteristic in vivo and in vitro methotrexate toxicity. The in vitro methotrexate toxicity characteristic of Down syndrome can be diminished by the in vivo administration of supplemental high doses of folic acid. A possible explanation for the increased sensitivity to methotrexate which has been documented in patients with Down syndrome may be due to imbalances in nucleotide pools which result from a gene dosage effect and to greater methylation demands. Supplemental folic acid may be beneficial by virtue of a down‐regulation of excess gene activity and may also provide needed monocarbons.