Description
Cytarabine is a cytosine nucleoside analog that exhibits anticancer chemotherapeutic and antiviral activities. This antimetabolite is clinically used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Cytarabine inhibits RNA polymerase and DNA polymerase, preventing DNA synthesis. Although it is too toxic for antiviral use, cytarabine inhibits the growth or replication of herpesviruses such as varicella-zoster and cytomegalovirus (CMV).
References
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Lauter CB, Bailey EJ, Lerner AM. Assessment of cytosine arabinoside as an antiviral agent in humans. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1974 Nov;6(5):598-602. PMID: 15825312.
