prednisone + cytarabine + vincristine + mercaptopurine

Prednisone + cytarabine + vincristine + mercaptopurine is a multi-agent chemotherapy regimen primarily utilized in the treatment of hematologic malignancies, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This combination employs four distinct mechanisms to target malignant cell populations: prednisone, a synthetic corticosteroid, induces apoptosis in lymphoid cells via glucocorticoid receptor activation; cytarabine (Ara-C), a pyrimidine nucleoside analog, inhibits DNA polymerase and DNA synthesis during the S-phase of the cell cycle; vincristine, a vinca alkaloid, binds to tubulin to prevent microtubule polymerization, leading to mitotic arrest; and mercaptopurine (6-MP), a purine analog, acts as an antimetabolite that interferes with de novo purine synthesis and nucleic acid production. The regimen is typically administered in cycles as part of induction, consolidation, or maintenance protocols to achieve and maintain remission.

Other names

Ara-C + 6-MP + VCR + PrednisoneCytarabine + Mercaptopurine + Vincristine + Prednisone