NCIt definition : A fluorinated nucleotide antimetabolite analog of the antiviral agent vidarabine (ara-A)
with antineoplastic activity. Administered parenterally as a phosphate salt, fludarabine
phosphate is rapidly dephosphorylated to 2-fluoro-ara-A and then phosphorylated intracellularly
by deoxycytidine kinase to the active triphosphate, 2-fluoro-ara-ATP. This metabolite
may inhibit DNA polymerase alpha, ribonucleotide reductase and DNA primase, thereby
interrupting DNA synthesis and inhibiting tumor cell growth. (NCI04);
Alternative definition : NCI-GLOSS: The active ingredient in a drug used to treat B-cell chronic lymphocytic
leukemia (CLL) that has not responded to treatment with other anticancer drugs or
that has gotten worse. Fludarabine blocks cells from making DNA and may kill cancer
cells. It is a type of purine antagonist and a type of ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor.;