idarubicin + etoposide + cytarabine + cyclophosphamide

This is a combination chemotherapy regimen consisting of four cytotoxic agents—idarubicin, etoposide, cytarabine (also known as Ara-C), and cyclophosphamide. Each drug has a distinct mechanism of action targeting rapidly dividing cancer cells: - **Idarubicin** is an anthracycline antibiotic that intercalates into DNA, inhibiting topoisomerase II and preventing DNA replication. - **Etoposide** inhibits topoisomerase II, leading to DNA strand breaks and apoptosis. - **Cytarabine** is a nucleoside analog that interferes with DNA synthesis during the S-phase of the cell cycle. - **Cyclophosphamide** is an alkylating agent that crosslinks DNA strands, impeding cell division. This combination targets multiple pathways in leukemic or lymphoma cells to maximize antitumor efficacy. It has been used primarily in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in accelerated or chronic phase, and as salvage therapy for aggressive lymphomas[1][2][3][5]. The regimen may be used as induction therapy or prior to stem cell transplantation.