tagraxofusp + cladribine + cytarabine

This combination therapy consists of tagraxofusp, cladribine, and low-dose cytarabine. Tagraxofusp is a CD123-directed cytotoxin composed of recombinant human interleukin-3 (IL-3) fused to a truncated diphtheria toxin payload. It targets the IL-3 receptor (CD123), which is highly expressed on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blasts and leukemic stem cells. Once bound, the drug is internalized, and the diphtheria toxin payload inhibits protein synthesis by irreversibly inactivating elongation factor 2 (EF-2), leading to apoptosis. Cladribine is a purine nucleoside analog that interferes with DNA synthesis and repair by inhibiting ribonucleotide reductase and DNA polymerase. Cytarabine is a pyrimidine analog that primarily inhibits DNA polymerase. This specific regimen is being investigated by Stanford University for patients with relapsed or refractory AML, particularly those who have failed prior venetoclax and hypomethylating agent therapy, based on the rationale that resistance to those agents may retain sensitivity to cladribine-based therapy.

Brand names

Elzonris

Other names

tagraxofusp-erzs