Last reviewed 2026-04-22 · How we verify

Fludarabine (Bayer)

Fludarabine is a purine analog that inhibits ribonucleotide reductase and DNA polymerase, leading to DNA strand breaks and apoptosis in rapidly dividing cells.

Fludarabine is a purine analog that inhibits ribonucleotide reductase and DNA polymerase, leading to DNA strand breaks and apoptosis in rapidly dividing cells. Used for Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

At a glance

Mechanism of action

Fludarabine is a fluorinated nucleoside analog that is phosphorylated intracellularly and incorporated into DNA, causing chain termination and inhibition of DNA synthesis. It also inhibits ribonucleotide reductase, depleting deoxyribonucleotide pools necessary for DNA replication. These mechanisms preferentially affect lymphoid cells, making it effective in hematologic malignancies.

Approved indications

• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
• Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
• Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Common side effects

• Myelosuppression (neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia)
• Infection
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Neurotoxicity
• Tumor lysis syndrome

Key clinical trials

• Study of Busulfan and FLAG Conditioning Regimen for Allogeneic Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation (PHASE4)
• T-cell Based Immunotherapy for of Melanoma (PHASE1, PHASE2)
• Tolerance Induction in Living Donor Kidney Transplantation With Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (NA)
• T-cell Based Immunotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer (PHASE1)

Primary sources

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