1. CYTARABINE
Cytarabine, or cytosine arabinoside, is a chemotherapy agent used mainly in the treatment
of cancers of white blood cells such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and non-Hodgkin
lymphoma.[1] It is also known as Ara-C (Arabinofuranosyl Cytidine).[2] It kills cancer cells by
interfering with DNA synthesis.
MECHANISM OF ACTION:-
Cytosine arabinoside interferes with the synthesis of DNA. It is an antimetabolic agent with the
chemical name of 1β-arabinofuranosylcytosine. Its mode of action is due to its rapid conversion
into cytosine arabinoside triphosphate, which damages DNA when the cell cycle holds in the S
phase (synthesis of DNA). Rapidly dividing cells, which require DNA replication for mitosis, are
therefore most affected. Cytosine arabinoside also inhibits both DNA[5] and RNA
polymerases and nucleotide reductase enzymes needed for DNA synthesis.
USES:-
Cytarabine is mainly used in the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia, acute lymphocytic
leukaemia (ALL) and in lymphomas,[7] where it is the backbone of induction chemotherapy.
Cytarabine also possesses antiviral activity, and it has been used for the treatment of
generalised herpesvirus infection. However, cytarabine is not very selective in this setting and
causes bone marrow suppression and other severe side effects, so it is used mainly for the
chemotherapy of hematologic cancers.
Cytarabine is also used in the study of the nervous system to control the proliferation
of glial cells in cultures, the amount of glial cells having an important impact on neurons.
SIDE EFFECTS:-
One of the unique toxicities of cytarabine is cerebellar toxicity when given in high doses.
Possible infection resulting from granulocytopenia and other impaired body defences,
and hemorrhage secondary to thrombocytopenia
Toxicity: Leukopenia, Thrombocytopenia, anemia, GI disturbances, stomatitis, conjunctivitis,
pneumonitis, fever, and dermatitis, Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia.
STRUCTURE:-
![CYTARABINE
Cytarabine, or cytosine arabinoside, is a chemotherapy agent used mainly in the treatment
of cancers of white blood cells such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and non-Hodgkin
lymphoma.[1] It is also known as Ara-C (Arabinofuranosyl Cytidine).[2] It kills cancer cells by
interfering with DNA synthesis.
MECHANISM OF ACTION:-
Cytosine arabinoside interferes with the synthesis of DNA. It is an antimetabolic agent with the
chemical name of 1β-arabinofuranosylcytosine. Its mode of action is due to its rapid conversion
into cytosine arabinoside triphosphate, which damages DNA when the cell cycle holds in the S
phase (synthesis of DNA). Rapidly dividing cells, which require DNA replication for mitosis, are
therefore most affected. Cytosine arabinoside also inhibits both DNA[5] and RNA
polymerases and nucleotide reductase enzymes needed for DNA synthesis.
USES:-
Cytarabine is mainly used in the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia, acute lymphocytic
leukaemia (ALL) and in lymphomas,[7] where it is the backbone of induction chemotherapy.
Cytarabine also possesses antiviral activity, and it has been used for the treatment of
generalised herpesvirus infection. However, cytarabine is not very selective in this setting and
causes bone marrow suppression and other severe side effects, so it is used mainly for the
chemotherapy of hematologic cancers.
Cytarabine is also used in the study of the nervous system to control the proliferation
of glial cells in cultures, the amount of glial cells having an important impact on neurons.
SIDE EFFECTS:-
One of the unique toxicities of cytarabine is cerebellar toxicity when given in high doses.
Possible infection resulting from granulocytopenia and other impaired body defences,
and hemorrhage secondary to thrombocytopenia
Toxicity: Leukopenia, Thrombocytopenia, anemia, GI disturbances, stomatitis, conjunctivitis,
pneumonitis, fever, and dermatitis, Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia.
STRUCTURE:-](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/cytarabine-130303062715-phpapp01/85/Cytarabine-1-320.jpg)
