[High-dose methotrexate/leucovorin adjuvant chemotherapy of osteogenic sarcoma: biochemical effects in DNA-synthesis of bone marrow cells (author's transl)].

DNA metabolism in bone marrow cells was measured under high-dose Methotrexate/Leucovorin adjuvant chemotherapy of a patient with primary amputation of his right leg because of osteogenic sarcoma. The biochemical data showed that there was no rescue effect of Leucovorin after 200 mg/kg Methotrexate. Corresponding to this "biochemical failure" of the rescue effect the patient died from the complications of a long and very severe bone marrow suppression. To improve the safety of this therapeutic regimen the intravenous injection and in some cases a higher dose of Leucovorin is recommended.