DepoCyte (Goethe University Frankfurt)

DepoCyte is a sustained-release, liposomal formulation of the chemotherapy agent cytarabine, utilizing the proprietary DepoFoam multivesicular liposome technology. This formulation is specifically designed for intrathecal administration to treat neoplastic meningitis, including lymphomatous meningitis and central nervous system (CNS) involvement in leukemias and aggressive lymphomas. By encapsulating cytarabine in spherical multivesicular liposomal particles, the drug achieves a significantly prolonged half-life in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), maintaining cytotoxic concentrations for over 14 days. This allows for a reduced dosing frequency (typically every two weeks) compared to standard intrathecal cytarabine. The active ingredient, cytarabine, is a pyrimidine antimetabolite that interferes with DNA synthesis by inhibiting DNA polymerase and incorporating into DNA, leading to chain termination and cell death in rapidly dividing cancer cells. Clinical trials led by Goethe University have evaluated its efficacy in treating CNS relapse in adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and Burkitt lymphoma.

Brand names

DepoCyteDepocyt

Other names

liposomal cytarabinecytarabine liposome injectioncytarabine liposomal