prednisone + vincristine + daunorubicin + cyclophosphamide + L-asparaginase + cytosine-arabinoside + methotrexate + etoposide

This is a multi-agent chemotherapy regimen composed of eight drugs—prednisone, vincristine, daunorubicin, cyclophosphamide, L-asparaginase, cytosine-arabinoside (cytarabine), methotrexate, and etoposide. Each component has a distinct mechanism of action targeting different aspects of cancer cell biology: - **Prednisone** is a glucocorticoid steroid that induces apoptosis in lymphoid cells. - **Vincristine** is a vinca alkaloid that inhibits microtubule formation during mitosis. - **Daunorubicin** is an anthracycline antibiotic that intercalates DNA and inhibits topoisomerase II. - **Cyclophosphamide** is an alkylating agent causing cross-linking of DNA strands. - **L-asparaginase** depletes asparagine required for leukemic cell survival. - **Cytosine-arabinoside (cytarabine)** is an antimetabolite inhibiting DNA synthesis. - **Methotrexate** inhibits dihydrofolate reductase interfering with folic acid metabolism and DNA synthesis. - **Etoposide** inhibits topoisomerase II leading to double-strand breaks in DNA. This combination targets rapidly dividing malignant cells through multiple mechanisms. It has been used primarily in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), especially for induction or consolidation therapy phases[2][4][5]. The regimen may be adapted based on patient age, disease risk factors, or institutional protocols.

Other names

Pediatric-Like ALL Chemotherapy for Adult Lymphoblastic LymphomaLL03 protocolLL-03 protocolLL 03 protocol