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Clolar

clofarabine
Purine Nucleoside Antimetabolite FDA Approved 2004 Sanofi Genzyme
1. Indications and Usage

Relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in pediatric patients 1 to 21 years of age, after at least two prior regimens.

2. Dosage and Administration

52 mg/m² IV over 2 hours daily for 5 consecutive days
Repeated every 2-6 weeks following recovery of hematologic counts
Premedication: Prophylactic steroids (e.g., hydrocortisone 100 mg/m² on Days 1-3) to mitigate SIRS/capillary leak
Hydration: Continuous IV fluids throughout treatment days to reduce tumor lysis and maintain renal perfusion

3. Dosage Forms and Strengths

Injection: 1 mg/mL (20 mg/20 mL) in single-dose vial

4. Contraindications

None listed.

5. Warnings and Precautions
  • Myelosuppression: Severe and prolonged. Febrile neutropenia in 57%. Recovery may take 2-6 weeks.
  • Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) / Capillary Leak Syndrome: Signs include tachypnea, tachycardia, hypotension, pulmonary edema. Can be fatal. D/C immediately if suspected. Give prophylactic steroids.
  • Tumor Lysis Syndrome: Monitor and provide aggressive hydration. May require dialysis.
  • Hepatotoxicity: Including hepatic VOD/SOS, which has been fatal. Monitor LFTs frequently. D/C if significant hepatotoxicity.
  • Nephrotoxicity: Elevations in creatinine reported. Maintain hydration.
  • Enterocolitis: Including neutropenic colitis, cecitis, and C. difficile colitis.
6. Adverse Reactions
Most Common Adverse Reactions

Vomiting (83%), nausea (75%), febrile neutropenia (57%), diarrhea (56%), pruritus (47%), headache (46%), pyrexia (41%), dermatitis (41%), rigors (38%), abdominal pain (36%), fatigue (36%), tachycardia (35%), epistaxis (31%), anorexia (30%), petechiae (29%), hepatomegaly (25%)

Vomiting
83%
Nausea
75%
Febrile Neutropenia
57%
Diarrhea
56%
Pruritus
47%
Headache
46%
Pyrexia
41%
Dermatitis
41%
Rigors
38%
Abdominal Pain
36%

Consult the complete prescribing information for a comprehensive list of adverse reactions and their frequencies.

7. Drug Interactions

Consult the complete prescribing information for drug interactions, including effects on CYP enzymes, transporters, and concomitant medications that may require dose adjustments or monitoring.

8. Use in Specific Populations
Pregnancy

Consult the full prescribing information for pregnancy-related considerations.

Lactation

Refer to prescribing information for lactation guidance.

Pediatric Use

Pediatric safety and efficacy information is detailed in the full label.

Hepatic/Renal Impairment

Dose modifications for organ impairment are specified in the complete prescribing information.

12. Clinical Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action

Clofarabine is a purine nucleoside antimetabolite. It is phosphorylated intracellularly to the active triphosphate (clofarabine-5'-triphosphate), which inhibits DNA polymerases and ribonucleotide reductase. Inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase depletes deoxyribonucleotide pools needed for DNA synthesis. Incorporation into DNA causes chain termination and induces apoptosis. The 2'-fluoro and 2'-chloro substitutions provide resistance to deamination by adenosine deaminase and phosphorolysis by purine nucleoside phosphorylase.

Pharmacokinetics

Half-life: approximately 5.2 hours. Vd: 172 L/m². Protein binding: 47%. Not appreciably metabolized; 49-60% excreted unchanged in urine. CrCl-dependent clearance.

14. Clinical Studies

Clinical efficacy and safety data supporting the approval are available in the full prescribing information and from the clinical trials listed below.

Pivotal Clinical Trials
Additional Resources
FDA-Approved Tumor Types

Clolar has FDA-approved indications across the following cancer types covered on PipelineEvidence:

External Resources
Important Notice: This page is intended as a navigational reference to the FDA-approved prescribing information for Clolar. It does not replace the full prescribing information. Healthcare professionals should consult the complete package insert available at DailyMed before making prescribing decisions. Patient-specific factors should always guide clinical decision-making.