Methotrexate

Methotrexate is a folate derivative that inhibits several enzymes responsible for nucleotide synthesis. This inhibition leads to suppression of inflammation as well as prevention of cell division. Because of these effects, methotrexate is often used to treat inflammation caused by arthritis or to control cell division in neoplastic diseases such as breast cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. MTX is known to induce adenosine release, which mediates many of its anti-inflammatory effects, including the reduction of proinflammatory cytokines.