Knowra Cytarabine Cytarabine Cytarabine is a synthetic cytosine arabinoside nucleoside analog used as chemotherapy, especially for acute leukemias. Its arabinose sugar disrupts DNA synthesis after the drug is converted inside cells to an active nucleotide.
Cytarabine triphosphate : The active phosphorylated form of cytarabine that competes with deoxycytidine triphosphate during DNA synthesis. This intracellular metabolite is the principal form that inhibits DNA polymerases and enters DNA.
Acute myeloid leukemia : A rapidly progressing cancer of myeloid blood-forming cells characterized by accumulation of abnormal blasts. Cytarabine is a backbone drug in induction and consolidation regimens for this leukemia.
Myelosuppression : Reduced production of blood cells caused by damage or suppression of bone marrow. Bone-marrow suppression is a major consequence of cytarabine treatment and drives infection and bleeding risks.
Gemcitabine : A fluorinated deoxycytidine analog used as chemotherapy for several solid tumors and blood cancers. Both drugs mimic cytidine, but gemcitabine’s fluorinated sugar gives it different pharmacology and typical uses.
Yoshida sarcoma : A transplantable rat tumor used in cancer research, including early screening of antitumor compounds. Research on antitumor nucleosides in this model helped identify compounds leading to cytarabine.
Deoxycytidine kinase : An enzyme that phosphorylates deoxycytidine and related nucleosides, including cytarabine. It catalyzes the first activation step that allows cytarabine to become cytotoxic.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia : A cancer in which immature lymphoid cells multiply in bone marrow and often enter the blood. Cytarabine appears in some treatment regimens, including therapy directed at disease in the central nervous system.
Cerebellar toxicity : Impairment of cerebellar function that can cause poor coordination, slurred speech, or abnormal gait. High-dose cytarabine can cause this neurologic toxicity, making examination and dose decisions important.
Azacitidine : A cytidine analog that alters RNA metabolism and, after conversion to a deoxynucleotide, DNA methylation. It is another cytidine-derived cancer drug, but acts chiefly through epigenetic effects at lower doses.
James F. Holland : An American oncologist who helped establish combination chemotherapy for leukemia. Holland’s clinical work helped bring cytarabine into effective leukemia treatment strategies.
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