Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I'm doing a research report on the chemotherapy drug, methotrexate. The research I've done tells me that it is an antimetabolite, a drug that interferes with DNA and RNA growth. Could you explain in relatively simple terms how this is accomplished? Thanks

Hello Matt9912,

There’s a pretty good explanation of how methotrexate works here:

http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug- ... exate.aspx

Evidently the drug does not interfere with RNA or DNA function in cell division. Rather, it inhibits folic acid metabolism in cancer cells.

I hope this helps. Please ask again if you have more questions.

A. Norman