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Cytarabine (Ara-C)
Cytarabine is a nucleoside analog that inhibits DNA synthesis by being incorporated into DNA, leading to chain termination and cell death, particularly affecting rapidly dividing cells.
Cytarabine is a nucleoside analog that inhibits DNA synthesis by being incorporated into DNA, leading to chain termination and cell death, particularly affecting rapidly dividing cells. Used for Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).
At a glance
| Generic name | Cytarabine (Ara-C) |
|---|---|
| Also known as | cytosine arabinoside (ara-C), Cytosar-U, Tarabine PFS, ARA-C, Cytosar |
| Sponsor | Kura Oncology, Inc. |
| Drug class | Nucleoside analog; antimetabolite |
| Target | DNA polymerase; thymidylate synthase |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Oncology |
| Phase | Phase 3 |
Mechanism of action
Cytarabine (Ara-C) is a cytidine analog that is phosphorylated intracellularly and incorporated into DNA during the S phase of the cell cycle. This incorporation causes DNA chain termination and inhibits DNA polymerase, leading to apoptosis of cancer cells. It is particularly effective against hematologic malignancies due to its preferential uptake and metabolism in rapidly dividing cells.
Approved indications
- Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
- Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)
- Lymphoma
Common side effects
- Myelosuppression (neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Mucositis
- Diarrhea
- Cerebellar syndrome (high-dose)
- Hepatotoxicity
- Fever
Key clinical trials
- Testing the Addition of the Anti-cancer Drug Venetoclax and/or the Anti-cancer Immunotherapy Blinatumomab to the Usual Chemotherapy Treatment for Infants With Newly Diagnosed KMT2A-rearranged or KMT2A-non-rearranged Leukemia (PHASE2)
- A Study to Investigate Blinatumomab in Combination With Chemotherapy in Patients With Newly Diagnosed B-Lymphoblastic Leukemia (PHASE3)
- Pediatric-Inspired Regimen Combined With Venetoclax and Immunotherapy for Adult Ph-Negative Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (NA)
- Testing the Addition of Venetoclax or Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin (GO) to Usual Treatment Regimen (Cytarabine and Daunorubicin, "7+3") for Core Binding Factor Acute Myeloid Leukemia (CBF-AML) to Improve Response (A MyeloMATCH Treatment Trial) (PHASE2)
- Ibrutinib Before and After Stem Cell Transplant in Treating Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (PHASE3)
- Standard-dose vs Intermediate-dose Cytarabine Induction in the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia With RUNX1-RUNX1T1 (PHASE3)
- Comparing Cytarabine + Daunorubicin Therapy Versus Cytarabine + Daunorubicin + Venetoclax Versus Venetoclax + Azacitidine in Younger Patients With Intermediate Risk AML (A MyeloMATCH Treatment Trial) (PHASE2)
- MYELOMATCH: A Screening Study to Assign People With Myeloid Cancer to a Treatment Study or Standard of Care Treatment Within myeloMATCH (MyeloMATCH Screening Trial) (PHASE2)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Cytarabine (Ara-C) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Cytarabine (Ara-C) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Kura Oncology, Inc. portfolio CI