Which of the following is NOT an example of an oral chemotherapy agent?

Which of the following is NOT an example of an oral chemotherapy agent?

• A. Cyclophosphamide
• B. Capecitabine
• C. Temozolomide
• D. Methotrexate

Answer: (D)

Oral chemotherapy agents are drugs given by mouth that provide reliable systemic exposure to treat cancer. Some medicines can be taken orally but have poor or highly variable absorption, so they’re given by IV to ensure consistent drug levels. Methotrexate fits that pattern. Its oral absorption is dose-dependent and can be unpredictable, especially at higher doses used in cancer treatment. For many regimens, achieving the necessary systemic exposure requires intravenous administration rather than relying on the oral route, with additional measures like leucovorin rescue in high-dose therapies. The other drugs are routinely given by mouth in standard cancer regimens: cyclophosphamide has an established oral form, capecitabine is an oral prodrug of 5-FU, and temozolomide is a well-known oral agent with good bioavailability.

Oral chemotherapy agents are drugs given by mouth that provide reliable systemic exposure to treat cancer. Some medicines can be taken orally but have poor or highly variable absorption, so they’re given by IV to ensure consistent drug levels.

Methotrexate fits that pattern. Its oral absorption is dose-dependent and can be unpredictable, especially at higher doses used in cancer treatment. For many regimens, achieving the necessary systemic exposure requires intravenous administration rather than relying on the oral route, with additional measures like leucovorin rescue in high-dose therapies.

The other drugs are routinely given by mouth in standard cancer regimens: cyclophosphamide has an established oral form, capecitabine is an oral prodrug of 5-FU, and temozolomide is a well-known oral agent with good bioavailability.