Sapacitabine in acute myelogenous leukemia

Introduction: The treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia remains challenging, especially in older adults or those unfit for intensive induction therapy or allogeneic stem cell transplant. Sapacitabine is a novel, rationally-designed, orally administered nucleoside analog that has shown promising activity in early clinical trials in acute myelogenous leukemia. Areas covered: This review covers the biochemical and pharmacologic properties of the drug with a focus on the clinical activity, safety and tolerability of sapacitabine in the treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia. Expert opinion: Sapacitabine is a promising orally administered drug in the treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia. While clinical data have failed to show significant benefit as a single agent, the drug has demonstrated clinical activity as monotherapy. Early clinical data has shown encouraging results in combinations with other agents.