Cytarabine + mitoxantrone

Cytarabine + mitoxantrone is a combination chemotherapy regimen used primarily for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), secondary AML, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Cytarabine is a pyrimidine nucleoside analogue antimetabolite that inhibits DNA synthesis by incorporating into DNA and inhibiting DNA polymerase, with activity specific to the S phase of the cell cycle[2][3]. Mitoxantrone is an anthracenedione antitumor agent that intercalates into DNA and inhibits topoisomerase II, leading to impaired DNA repair and synthesis; it also has immunosuppressive properties[5]. The combination exploits complementary mechanisms to induce rapid remission in leukemias, especially in regimens where high-dose cytarabine is paired with mitoxantrone for induction therapy[1][4]. This regimen may be used as first-line or salvage therapy in adult patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed/refractory AML or ALL.

Other names

Ara-C (for cytarabine)MA regimen (for the combination in some clinical contexts)