Cladribine (Leustatin)

General information

Class/mechanism: Purine analog; mimics the nucleoside adenosine, inhibiting adenosine deaminase, which interferes with DNA synthesis and repair.
Route: IV, 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

• Hairy cell leukemia (FDA)

Diseases for which it is used

• Acute myeloid leukemia
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
• Hypereosinophilic syndrome
• Indolent lymphoma
  • B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue
• Langerhans cell histiocytosis
• Mantle cell lymphoma
• Systemic mastocytosis

Diseases for which it was used

• Waldenström macroglobulinemia

Patient drug information

• Cladribine package insert
• Cladribine (Leustatin) patient drug information (Chemocare)
• Cladribine (Leustatin) patient drug information (UpToDate)

History of changes in FDA indication

• 1993-02-26: Initial FDA approval for treatment of active hairy cell leukemia. (Based on Saven et al. 1998)

History of changes in EMA indication

• 1993-02-26: EURD

Also known as

• Generic names: 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine, 2-CdA
• Brand names: Leustatin, Litak, Movectro