pentostatin at a glance
Medicine class
Adenosine deaminase inhibitor and cytotoxic anticancer treatment
Licensed use
Single-agent treatment of hairy cell leukaemia in adults
Administration
Given into a vein by a trained cancer-care team
Important checks
Regular blood counts and kidney-function tests are required
What is pentostatin used for?
The selected UK product is licensed for:
Single-agent treatment of adult patients with hairy cell leukaemia.
How does pentostatin work?
Pentostatin blocks adenosine deaminase, an enzyme particularly active in lymphoid cells. This causes purine metabolites to accumulate and contributes to impaired nucleic-acid synthesis, DNA damage and death of leukaemia cells. Its exact antitumour mechanism in hairy cell leukaemia is not fully established.
pentostatin preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 10 mg
How to take pentostatin
Pentostatin is prepared and administered intravenously under specialist supervision; it is not taken by mouth. Intravenous fluid is given before and after treatment to maintain hydration.
Tell the team promptly about infection symptoms, severe rash or neurological symptoms before administration.
Do not drive or operate machinery if treatment causes dizziness, visual disturbance or feeling unwell.
pentostatin side effects
Common or expected effects
- Nausea or vomiting
- Low white-cell, red-cell or platelet counts
- Fever or chills
- Rash or itching
- Tiredness or weakness
- Headache
- Diarrhoea or abdominal discomfort
- Cough, sore throat or other respiratory symptoms
Get urgent medical advice
- Fever, chills or other signs of infection
- Unusual bruising, bleeding, black stools or blood in urine or stools
- Severe rash, facial or throat swelling, or breathing difficulty
- New confusion, fits, tremor, weakness, altered sensation or problems walking
- Severe breathlessness or chest pain
- Jaundice or dark urine
- Marked reduction in urination or swelling suggesting kidney problems
pentostatin in pregnancy
Pentostatin is not recommended during pregnancy because animal studies indicate reproductive toxicity and harm to the developing baby. Effective contraception is advised during treatment and afterwards. Tell the specialist team immediately if pregnancy occurs, and discuss fertility preservation before treatment where relevant.
pentostatin while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not advised during pentostatin treatment or for one week after the final administration because transfer into milk is unknown and serious effects in a nursing infant are possible. Discuss feeding options with the specialist team.
pentostatin interactions
The specialist team should review all prescribed, non-prescription and complementary treatments before pentostatin is given.
Fludarabine
Combined use is not recommended because severe and fatal lung toxicity has occurred.
Vidarabine
Pentostatin may enhance its effects and increase adverse reactions from either treatment.
High-dose cyclophosphamide transplant regimens
Combination with pentostatin, carmustine and etoposide is not recommended because fatal pulmonary oedema and hypotension have been reported.
Common questions about pentostatin
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What cancer is pentostatin licensed to treat in the UK?
It is licensed as single-agent treatment for adults with hairy cell leukaemia.
Is pentostatin chemotherapy?
Yes. It is a cytotoxic anticancer treatment and an inhibitor of adenosine deaminase.
Is pentostatin a tablet?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.