New Drug: Nelarabine for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma

Nelarabine for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and T-cell lymphoblastic lymphomaActive ingredient: nelarabine Brand name (sponsor): Nelarabine-Reach (Reach Pharmaceuticals) Presentation: vials containing 250 mg in 50 mL (5 mg/mL) Route of administration: intravenous infusionApproved indication: relapsing/refractory T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma that has not responded to or has relapsed following treatment Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia may involve B cells or T cells.Cancers involving the T cells are relatively rare and mainly affect children.The cancer can be considered to be a leukaemia or a lymphoma, according to the proportion of lymphoblasts found in bone marrow.Acute T-cell lymphoblastic leukaemia and lymphoma can be cured by chemotherapy, with children usually having better outcomes than adults.However, if the disease relapses it is difficult to treat and has a poor prognosis.To find better treatments for relapsed disease, there has been research into drugs targeted at T cells.