DCTER

DCTER is an intensive multi-agent induction chemotherapy regimen primarily utilized in pediatric clinical trials for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). The regimen was a cornerstone of the Children's Cancer Group (CCG) trials CCG-2891 and CCG-2961, where it was used to evaluate standard versus intensive timing of induction therapy. DCTER is an acronym representing its five constituent drugs: dexamethasone (a corticosteroid), cytarabine (an antimetabolite), 6-thioguanine (a purine analog), etoposide (a topoisomerase II inhibitor), and daunorubicin (an anthracycline, also known as rubidomycin). The regimen is typically administered in 4-day cycles and is designed to target leukemic blasts through multiple mechanisms, including DNA synthesis inhibition, DNA intercalation, and the induction of apoptosis.

Other names

dexamethasone + cytarabine + 6-thioguanine + etoposide + daunorubicin