imatinib + cytarabine

Imatinib + cytarabine is a combination therapy used primarily in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Imatinib is a small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor that specifically targets the BCR-ABL fusion protein, c-Kit, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGF-R), thereby inhibiting cancer cell proliferation and survival. Cytarabine is an antimetabolite chemotherapeutic agent that interferes with DNA synthesis by incorporating into DNA during the S phase of the cell cycle, leading to inhibition of DNA polymerase and repair mechanisms. The combination has been shown to have synergistic effects in CML, improving molecular response rates compared to monotherapy[1][2][3][5]. This regimen has been studied in phase II clinical trials for newly diagnosed CML patients.