1. Noun. A particular drug used in chemotherapy. ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Medical Definition of Cytarabine
1. A pyrimidine nucleoside analog that is used mainly in the treatment of leukaemia, especially acute non-lymphoblastic leukaemia. Cytarabine is an antimetabolite antineoplastic agent that inhibits the synthesis of DNA. Its actions are specific for the s phase of the cell cycle. It also has antiviral and immunosuppressant properties.
Pharmacological action: antimetabolite, antineoplastic, antiviral agent, immunosuppressive agent.
Chemical name: 2(1H)-Pyrimidinone, 4-amino-1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-
(12 Dec 1998)
