🍽️ cytarabine,(prescription)

Antineoplastic Activity: Cytarabine belongs to a class of medications known as antimetabolites, which work by interfering with DNA synthesis and inhibiting the growth and replication of cancer cells. Cytarabine is a nucleoside analog that is incorporated into DNA during the S-phase of the cell cycle, leading to DNA strand breaks and inhibition of DNA synthesis. This ultimately results in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis (programmed cell death) of cancer cells.

Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): Cytarabine is a cornerstone of induction chemotherapy regimens for the treatment of newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a type of blood cancer characterized by the rapid proliferation of immature myeloid cells in the bone marrow. Cytarabine is often used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs such as anthracyclines (e.g., daunorubicin) or cytarabine plus anthracycline-based regimens (e.g., "7+3" regimen) to induce remission and achieve a complete response in patients with AML.

Treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): Cytarabine may also be used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a type of blood cancer that affects lymphoid cells. It is often used in combination with other chemotherapy agents as part of induction, consolidation, or maintenance therapy regimens for ALL, particularly in pediatric patients. Cytarabine-based chemotherapy regimens help to eradicate leukemic cells from the bone marrow and achieve long-term remission in patients with ALL.

Treatment of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL): Cytarabine may be used in the treatment of certain types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), particularly aggressive subtypes such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) or Burkitt lymphoma. It may be used as part of combination chemotherapy regimens to induce remission, reduce tumor burden, and improve survival outcomes in patients with NHL.

Dosage and Administration: Cytarabine is typically administered intravenously (IV) or subcutaneously (SC) by a healthcare professional in a hospital or clinic setting. The dosage and schedule of administration depend on factors such as the type of cancer being treated, the patient's overall health, and their response to treatment. Cytarabine is often given in cycles, with rest periods between doses to allow the body to recover from side effects.

Side Effects: Common side effects of cytarabine may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mucositis (inflammation of the mucous membranes), bone marrow suppression (resulting in low blood cell counts), hair loss, fatigue, and increased risk of infection. Cytarabine can also cause neurotoxicity, particularly at high doses or with prolonged use, leading to neurological symptoms such as headache, confusion, seizures, and cerebellar dysfunction.

Long-term Effects: Cytarabine treatment may be associated with long-term effects such as increased risk of secondary malignancies, particularly therapy-related myeloid neoplasms (t-MN) or myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), as well as infertility and reproductive toxicities. Patients should be informed about the potential long-term effects of cytarabine therapy and may require long-term monitoring for late-onset complications.