Haematologica Reports 2005; 1(issue 8):
103-105[prev][index][next]
Oral fludarabine
Verhoef GEG
Head department of Hematology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg,
Leuven, Belgium
Fludarabine is an antimetabolite cytotoxic agent uses for the
treatment of patients with various lymphoid malignancies,
especially B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).1
The intravenous formulation of fludarabine has been available for a
number of years. It is well established as an effective first-line
treatment option in CLL and preferred second-line therapy for
patients with CLL initially treated with an alkylating agent-based
regimen.2-4 Intravenous fludarabine had been
administered as an infusion for 5 consecutive days each month for
about 6 months. This schedule creates a number of difficulties with
respect to convenience with repeated venipunctures and frequent
outpatient visits or hospital admissions. [>Read full article in PDF]
