Cladribine is a type of chemotherapy known as a purine nucleoside analog. It works by interfering with the growth and survival of certain white blood cells, particularly lymphocytes and monocytes, which are involved in many blood cancers.

Once inside the cell, cladribine is converted into an active form that gets incorporated into the cell's DNA. This damages the DNA and prevents the cell from repairing itself or dividing properly. As a result, both actively dividing and resting (quiescent) cancerous lymphocytes are destroyed. This unique action makes cladribine effective against blood cancers where abnormal lymphocytes are present, such as in Hairy Cell Leukemia and, in some cases, other rare leukemias like T-Cell Prolymphocytic Leukemia.

By reducing the number of abnormal blood cells, cladribine helps restore normal blood cell production and improves symptoms related to the disease.

cladribine

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