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Cytarabine HD

Gruppo Italiano Malattie EMatologiche dell'Adulto · Phase 3 active Small molecule ✓ Verified May 2026

Cytarabine HD is a Nucleoside analog; antimetabolite Small molecule drug developed by Gruppo Italiano Malattie EMatologiche dell'Adulto. It is currently in Phase 3 development for Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), Lymphoma.

Cytarabine is a cytidine analog that inhibits DNA synthesis by being incorporated into DNA and blocking chain elongation, leading to cell death.

Cytarabine HD is used in the treatment of various conditions, including Central Nervous System Lymphoma, Lymphoma, Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia, and Stage I and Stage II Contiguous Mantle Cell Lymphoma. It is administered as part of immunochemotherapy regimens, often in combination with other medications such as Rituximab, HD-MTX, Cyclophosphamide, and Ifosfamide.

Likelihood of approval
61.3% vs 58.3% industry baseline
If approved by FDA: likely 2028–2030
Steps remaining: NDA/BLA submission
Confidence: High
Why this estimate
  • Baseline phase 3 → approval rate +58.3pp
    Industry-wide phase 3 drugs reach approval ~58.3% of the time (BIO/Informa 2023 industry benchmark across all therapeutic areas).
  • Oncology Phase 3 boost +3.0pp
    Oncology Phase 3 trials have higher approval rates (~61%) than the cross-industry average due to clearer endpoints and FDA oncology pathway.
Predicted approval windows by jurisdiction (conditional on FDA approval)
Regulator Country Likely year Lag vs FDA
FDA US 2028–2030
EMA EU 2029–2031 +0.7 yr
MHRA GB 2029–2031 +0.7 yr
Health Canada CA 2029–2032 +0.9 yr
TGA AU 2029–2032 +1.2 yr
PMDA JP 2029–2032 +1.5 yr
NMPA CN 2030–2033 +2.3 yr
MFDS KR 2029–2032 +1.4 yr
CDSCO IN 2029–2033 +1.8 yr
ANVISA BR 2030–2033 +2.3 yr

Hover any row for the lag rationale. Lag estimates are reduced when the drug has FDA Breakthrough or EMA PRIME designation (sponsors file globally in parallel).

Estimate based on the BIO/Informa industry phase transition rates plus per-drug modifiers for therapeutic area, sponsor type, FDA designations, mechanism, and trial design. Per-jurisdiction lags from Tufts CSDD international approval studies. Not investment, clinical or regulatory advice. Methodology: /methodology#likelihood.

At a glance

Generic nameCytarabine HD
SponsorGruppo Italiano Malattie EMatologiche dell'Adulto
Drug classNucleoside analog; antimetabolite
TargetDNA polymerase; incorporated into DNA
ModalitySmall molecule
Therapeutic areaOncology
PhasePhase 3

Mechanism of action

Cytarabine (ara-C) is a nucleoside analog that mimics cytidine and is phosphorylated intracellularly to its active triphosphate form. This active metabolite is incorporated into DNA during synthesis, causing chain termination and inhibition of DNA polymerase. It is primarily used in hematologic malignancies where rapidly dividing cells are particularly susceptible to its cytotoxic effects.

Approved indications

Common side effects

Key clinical trials

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

SourceUsed for
ClinicalTrials.govTrial 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:

Frequently asked questions about Cytarabine HD

What is Cytarabine HD?

Cytarabine HD is a Nucleoside analog; antimetabolite drug developed by Gruppo Italiano Malattie EMatologiche dell'Adulto, indicated for Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), Lymphoma.

How does Cytarabine HD work?

Cytarabine is a cytidine analog that inhibits DNA synthesis by being incorporated into DNA and blocking chain elongation, leading to cell death.

What is Cytarabine HD used for?

Cytarabine HD is indicated for Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), Lymphoma, Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in blast phase.

Who makes Cytarabine HD?

Cytarabine HD is developed by Gruppo Italiano Malattie EMatologiche dell'Adulto (see full Gruppo Italiano Malattie EMatologiche dell'Adulto pipeline at /company/gruppo-italiano-malattie-ematologiche-dell-adulto).

What drug class is Cytarabine HD in?

Cytarabine HD belongs to the Nucleoside analog; antimetabolite class. See all Nucleoside analog; antimetabolite drugs at /class/nucleoside-analog-antimetabolite.

What development phase is Cytarabine HD in?

Cytarabine HD is in Phase 3.

What are the side effects of Cytarabine HD?

Common side effects of Cytarabine HD include Myelosuppression (neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia), Nausea and vomiting, Mucositis, Hepatotoxicity, Neurotoxicity (at high doses), Infection.

What does Cytarabine HD target?

Cytarabine HD targets DNA polymerase; incorporated into DNA and is a Nucleoside analog; antimetabolite.

Related

Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing