Cytarabine (Ara-C)

==General information==
Class/mechanism: Pyrimidine analog, mimics cytosine. Converted intracellularly into cytarabine-5-triphosphate (ara-CTP). Exact mechanism of action not known; believed to inhibit DNA polymerase, incorporate into DNA and RNA, and kill cells undergoing DNA synthesis (S-phase) and sometimes block cells from progressing from the G1 phase to the S-phase.Cytarabine (Ara-C) package insert Cytarabine (Ara-C) package insert (locally hosted backup)
Route: IV, IT, SC
Extravasation: irritant or neutral, depending on reference
For conciseness and simplicity, HemOnc.org currently will focus on treatment regimens and not list information such as: renal/hepatic dose adjustments, metabolism (including CYP450), excretion, monitoring parameters (although this will be considered for checklists), or manufacturer. Instead, for the most current information, please refer to your preferred pharmacopeias or the prescribing information.
==Diseases for which it is established (work in progress)==
*Mantle cell lymphoma
*Peripheral T-cell lymphoma
==Diseases for which it is used==
*Acute myeloid leukemia
*Acute promyelocytic leukemia
*Adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma
*Anaplastic large cell lymphoma
*Burkitt lymphoma
*B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
*Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
*Chronic myeloid leukemia
*CNS lymphoma
*Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
*Follicular lymphoma
*HIV-associated lymphoma
*Classical Hodgkin lymphoma
*Hypereosinophilic syndrome
*Langerhans cell histiocytosis
*Myelodysplastic syndrome
*Primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma
*T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
*Transformed lymphoma
==Diseases for which it was used==
*Multiple myeloma
==Patient drug information==
*Cytarabine (Ara-C) package insert
*Cytarabine (Ara-C) patient drug information (Chemocare)Cytarabine (Ara-C) patient drug information (Chemocare)
*Cytarabine (Ara-C) patient drug information (UpToDate)Cytarabine (Ara-C) patient drug information (UpToDate)
==History of changes in FDA indication==
*1969-06-17: initial FDA approval
*1998-10-15 (oldest label available at Drugs @ FDA): indicated in combination with other approved anticancer drugs for remission induction in acute nonlymphocytic leukemia of adults and pediatric patients. (No supporting studies are cited)
*1998-10-15 (oldest label available at Drugs @ FDA): indicated in the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia and the blast phase of chronic myelocytic leukemia. (No supporting studies are cited)
*1998-10-15 (oldest label available at Drugs @ FDA): Intrathecal administration is indicated in the prophylaxis and treatment of meningeal leukemia. (No supporting studies are cited)
==History of changes in EMA indication==
*2001-07-11: EURD
==History of changes in PMDA indication==
*2019-03-26: New indication for the treatment prior to tumor-specific T-cell infusion therapy.
*2023-05-25: New indication and a new dosage for the treatment of acute leukemia.
==Also known as==
*Generic names: Ara-C, arabinosylcytosine, arabinofuranosyl cytidine, cytosine arabinoside
*Brand names:
Synonyms 	Synonyms 	Synonyms 	Synonyms 	Synonyms 	Synonyms 	Synonyms	Synonyms
Alcysten 	Alexan 	ARA 	Arabine 	Arabitin 	Aracitin 	Aracytin	Aracytine
Citagenin 	Citaloxan 	Citarabin	Citarabina	Citarabins	Citarax 	Cylocide	Cytarabin
Cytarabins	Cytarabinum	Cytarbel 	Cytarine 	Cytosar 	Cytosar-U	Cytrosar	Erbabin
Erpalfa 	Fauldcita 	Groven 	Ifarab 	Iretin 	Laracit 	Medsara 	Novutrax
Remcyta 	Starasid 	Tabin 	Tabine 	Udicil 	 	 	
==References==
Category:Drugs
Category:Intrathecal medications
Category:Intravenous medications
Category:Subcutaneous medications
Category:Irritant
Category:Neutral
Category:Antimetabolites
Category:Deoxycytidine analogs
Category:B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia medications
Category:Acute myeloid leukemia medications
Category:Acute promyelocytic leukemia medications
Category:Adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma medications
Category:Anaplastic large cell lymphoma medications
Category:Burkitt lymphoma medications
Category:Chronic lymphocytic leukemia medications
Category:Chronic myeloid leukemia medications
Category:CNS lymphoma medications
Category:Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma medications
Category:Follicular lymphoma medications
Category:HIV-associated lymphoma medications
Category:Classical Hodgkin lymphoma medications
Category:Hypereosinophilic syndrome medications
Category:Langerhans cell histiocytosis medications
Category:Mantle cell lymphoma medications
Category:Myelodysplastic syndrome medications
Category:Peripheral T-cell lymphoma medications
Category:Primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma medications
Category:T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia medications
Category:Transformed lymphoma medications
Category:Multiple myeloma medications (historic)
Category:FDA approved in 1969
Category:EMA approved in 2001
Category:WHO Essential Cancer Medicine