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Cancer Drug Information

  • Posted: 08/21/2008
  • Updated: 10/25/2011

Leucovorin Calcium

listen 1  (LOO-koh-VOR-in KAL-see-um)

This page contains brief information about leucovorin calcium and a collection of links to more information about the use of this drug, research results, and ongoing clinical trials.

US Brand Name(s): Wellcovorin
FDA Approved: Yes

Use in Cancer

Leucovorin calcium is approved to be used alone or with other drugs to treat:

Leucovorin calcium is also used to prevent and treat the toxic effects of high dose methotrexate when used to treat osteosarcoma and other types of cancer. It is also used to treat overdoses of methotrexate or other folic acid antagonists.

The drug is also being studied in the treatment of other conditions and types of cancer.

More About Leucovorin Calcium

Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary 2 - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.

MedlinePlus Information on Leucovorin Calcium 3 - A lay language summary of important information about this drug that may include the following:

  • warnings about this drug,
  • what this drug is used for and how it is used,
  • what you should tell your doctor before using this drug,
  • what you should know about this drug before using it,
  • other drugs that may interact with this drug, and
  • possible side effects.

Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.

Research Results

Clinical Trial Results: Irinotecan Not Effective in Adjuvant Therapy for Colon Cancer 4 - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: New Chemotherapy Regimen Extends Survival for Patients with Resectable Gastric Cancer 5 - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trials Accepting Patients

Find Clinical Trials for Leucovorin Calcium 6 - Check for trials from NCI's list of cancer clinical trials now accepting patients.

Important: The drug information on this page is meant to be educational. It is not a substitute for medical advice. The information may not cover all possible uses, actions, interactions, or side effects of this drug, or precautions to be taken while using it. Please see your health care professional for more information about your specific medical condition and the use of this drug.


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Glossary Terms

advanced cancer (ad-VANST KAN-ser)
Cancer that has spread to other places in the body and usually cannot be cured or controlled with treatment.
anemia (uh-NEE-mee-uh)
A condition in which the number of red blood cells is below normal.
cancer (KAN-ser)
A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.
colorectal cancer (KOH-loh-REK-tul KAN-ser)
Cancer that develops in the colon (the longest part of the large intestine) and/or the rectum (the last several inches of the large intestine before the anus).
drug (drug)
Any substance, other than food, that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition. Also refers to a substance that alters mood or body function, or that can be habit-forming or addictive, especially a narcotic.
fluorouracil (floor-oh-YOOR-uh-sil)
A drug used to treat cancers of the breast, stomach, and pancreas, and certain types of colorectal and head and neck cancers. It is also used in a cream to treat basal cell skin cancer and actinic keratosis (a skin condition that may become cancer). It is being studied in the treatment of other conditions and types of cancer. Fluorouracil stops cells from making DNA and it may kill cancer cells. It is a type of antimetabolite. Also called 5-fluorouracil, 5-FU, Adrucil, Efudex, and Fluoroplex.
folic acid (FOH-lik A-sid)
A nutrient in the vitamin B complex that the body needs in small amounts to function and stay healthy. Folic acid helps to make red blood cells. It is found in whole-grain breads and cereals, liver, green vegetables, orange juice, lentils, beans, and yeast. Folic acid is water-soluble (can dissolve in water) and must be taken in every day. Not enough folic acid can cause anemia (a condition in which the number of red blood cells is below normal), diseases of the heart and blood vessels, and defects in the brain and spinal cord in a fetus. Folic acid is being studied with vitamin B12 in the prevention and treatment of cancer. Also called folate.
methotrexate (meh-thuh-TREK-sayt)
A drug used to treat some types of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and severe skin conditions, such as psoriasis. Methotrexate stops cells from making DNA and may kill cancer cells. It is a type of antimetabolite. Also called amethopterin, MTX, and Rheumatrex.
osteosarcoma (OS-tee-oh-sar-KOH-muh)
A cancer of the bone that usually affects the large bones of the arm or leg. It occurs most commonly in young people and affects more males than females. Also called osteogenic sarcoma.
overdose (OH-ver-dose)
An amount of drug that is more than what should be taken at one time.
palliative therapy (PA-lee-uh-tiv THAYR-uh-pee)
Treatment given to relieve the symptoms and reduce the suffering caused by cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Palliative cancer therapies are given together with other cancer treatments, from the time of diagnosis, through treatment, survivorship, recurrent or advanced disease, and at the end of life.
prevention (pree-VEN-shun)
In medicine, action taken to decrease the chance of getting a disease or condition. For example, cancer prevention includes avoiding risk factors (such as smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, and radiation exposure) and increasing protective factors (such as getting regular physical activity, staying at a healthy weight, and having a healthy diet).
toxic (TOK-sik)
Having to do with poison or something harmful to the body. Toxic substances usually cause unwanted side effects.
vitamin (VY-tuh-min)
A nutrient that the body needs in small amounts to function and stay healthy. Sources of vitamins are plant and animal food products and dietary supplements. Some vitamins are made in the human body from food products. Vitamins are either fat-soluble (can dissolve in fats and oils) or water-soluble (can dissolve in water). Excess fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body’s fatty tissue, but excess water-soluble vitamins are removed in the urine. Examples are vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E.

Table of Links

1http://www.cancer.gov/PublishedContent/Media/CDR/Media/720849.mp3
2http://www.cancer.gov/Templates/drugdictionary.aspx?CdrID=42584
3http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682336.html
4http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/irinotecan0807
5http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/MAGIC-gastric0706
6http://www.cancer.gov/Search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?id=42584&idtype=1
7http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/alphalist
8http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/drug-page-index
9http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/learningabout/approval-process-for-cancer-
drugs
10http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/investigational-drug-access