cytarabine

Cytarabine is a pyrimidine nucleoside analogue and antimetabolite antineoplastic agent primarily used in the treatment of various leukemias, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), and meningeal leukemia. It is also used to treat lymphoma that has spread to the meninges. Cytarabine acts as a cell cycle phase-specific agent, targeting cells during the S-phase by inhibiting DNA synthesis. After cellular uptake, it is converted into its active metabolite, cytarabine triphosphate (Ara-CTP), which inhibits DNA polymerase and incorporates into DNA, leading to chain termination and inhibition of DNA repair. This results in selective toxicity for rapidly dividing cells.

Brand names

Cytosar-UCytosarTarabine PFSDepoCytVyxeos

Other names

cytarabineliposomal cytarabine