ADI-PEG20 + cytarabine

**ADI-PEG20 + cytarabine** is an investigational combination therapy consisting of pegylated arginine deiminase (ADI-PEG20) and the antimetabolite cytarabine. ADI-PEG20 is an enzyme that depletes extracellular arginine, thereby inducing selective tumor cell death in argininosuccinate synthetase–deficient (ASS-deficient) cancers (such as most acute myeloid leukemia [AML] cells). Cytarabine is a chemotherapy agent that inhibits DNA synthesis. The combination has been studied in phase I clinical trials for AML, especially in older patients or those unfit for intensive chemotherapy, seeking to improve response by targeting two complementary vulnerabilities: arginine auxotrophy and proliferative capacity of malignant cells. Polaris Pharmaceuticals developed ADI-PEG20, and the combination has been tested with low-dose cytarabine[1][2][3][4].

Other names

pegylated arginine deiminase + cytarabine