has role cytosine antiviral agent pyrimidine nucleoside cytarabine A pyrimidine nucleoside in which cytosine is attached to D-arabinofuranose via a beta-N(1)-glycosidic bond. Used mainly in the treatment of leukaemia, especially acute non-lymphoblastic leukaemia, cytarabine is an antimetabolite antineoplastic agent that inhibits the synthesis of DNA. It also has antiviral and immunosuppressant properties. antimetabolite antineoplastic agent immunosuppressive agent beta-D-arabinoside monosaccharide derivative