Summary

Cladribine is a purine analog that is used to treat hairy cell leukemia. Its incorporation into DNA in place of a purine causes premature breaks, and subsequent halting, of DNA synthesis. It can cause numerous adverse effects such as neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and myelosuppression.

Key Points

• Cladribine
  • Mechanism
    • Purine analog
      • Inhibits DNA polymerase
      • Causes DNA strand breaks
      • Adenosine analog that is resistant to adenosine deaminase (ADA)
  • Clinical Use
    • Hairy cell leukemia
  • Adverse Effects
    • Nephrotoxicity
    • Neurotoxicity
    • Myelosuppression