Intrathecal chemotherapy examples include which drugs?

Intrathecal chemotherapy examples include which drugs?

• A. Methotrexate (preservative free), cytarabine
• B. Bleomycin
• C. Decarbazine
• D. Capecitabine

Answer: (A)

Delivering chemotherapy into the CSF is done to directly treat or prevent cancer cells in the central nervous system, where many drugs don’t reach well when given systemically. The drugs used intrathecally are chosen for good CSF penetration and a safety profile suitable for the intrathecal space. Methotrexate (preservative-free) and cytarabine are classic intrathecal agents because they effectively act on malignant cells within the CSF and can be formulated without preservatives that could irritate the meninges. This combination is standard for CNS prophylaxis and treatment in leukemias and lymphomas. Bleomycin is typically given systemically and does not have a routine, safe intrathecal use; dacarbazine is also used systemically rather than intrathecally; capecitabine is an oral prodrug of 5-FU used systemically and is not given into the CSF.

Delivering chemotherapy into the CSF is done to directly treat or prevent cancer cells in the central nervous system, where many drugs don’t reach well when given systemically. The drugs used intrathecally are chosen for good CSF penetration and a safety profile suitable for the intrathecal space. Methotrexate (preservative-free) and cytarabine are classic intrathecal agents because they effectively act on malignant cells within the CSF and can be formulated without preservatives that could irritate the meninges. This combination is standard for CNS prophylaxis and treatment in leukemias and lymphomas.

Bleomycin is typically given systemically and does not have a routine, safe intrathecal use; dacarbazine is also used systemically rather than intrathecally; capecitabine is an oral prodrug of 5-FU used systemically and is not given into the CSF.