Nelarabine for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoblastic lymphoma.

Abstract

Nelarabine (506U78) is a soluble prodrug of 9- Darabinofuranosylguanine (ara-G), a deoxyguanosine derivative. Nelarabine has significant activity in patients with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and lymphoma (T-LBL). Principal toxicity is grade 3 or 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Neurologic toxicity with Guillain-Barré syndrome, depressed level of consciousness, and peripheral neuropathy are concerning side effects. Nelarabine is well tolerated and has significant antitumor activity in T-ALL and T-LBL. Nelarabine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for patients with T-ALL/LBL who failed at least two prior regimens. Nelarabine is being explored in children and will be explored in the near future in adults with newly diagnosed T-ALL.

• Authors: Daniel J DeAngelo
• Journal: Hematology/oncology clinics of North America (Hematol Oncol Clin North Am) Vol. 23 Issue 5 Pg. 1121-35, vii-viii (Oct 2009) ISSN: 1558-1977 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19825456 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Arabinonucleosides
• nelarabine

Topics

• Adult
• Arabinonucleosides (therapeutic use)
• Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
• Humans
• Neoplasm Recurrence, Local (drug therapy)
• Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma (drug therapy)
• Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma (drug therapy)
• Salvage Therapy