METHOTREXATE

cytotoxic drug used to slow the growth of certain cancers, especially a highly malignant but rather rare form in women called choriocarcinoma. It has also been used in the treatment of psoriasis, a skin disease in which abnormally rapid proliferation of epidermal cells occurs, and as an inhibitor of some types of immune reactions. Methotrexate is an antimetabolite of the vitamin folic acid. It prevents the synthesis of nucleic acids and thus inhibits cell reproduction.