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

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.