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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]