Busulfan
Busulfan is used to treat chronic myelogenous leukemiaA cancer affecting the cells that develop into white or red blood cells. Both of these cell types originate from stem cells in bone marrow. Red blood cells function to carry oxygen to our tissues and the white cells (leukocytes) are part of our immune system. The cancerous cells often accumulate in the blood.. Busulfan is usually administered as an oral tablet. 1, 2
Busulfan (Myleran®) is an alkylating agentA chemical that is able to transfer small hydrocarbons to other molecules. They can cause mutations due to their ability to modify nucleotides in DNA. that prevents DNAAbbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid. Composed of very long strings of nucleotides, which are abbreviated as A, C, G and T. DNA is the storage form of our genetic material. All of the instructions for the production of proteins are encoded in our DNA. synthesis and transcriptionThe production of an RNA molecule from a DNA template. An RNA copy of a gene is produced by an enzyme, RNA polymerase. The RNA produced can either be used directly in the cell or can be used to direct the production of a protein through the process of translation. Many of the genes that are altered in cancer cells have potent effects on the process of transcription. See transcription factor. and induces (causes) nucleotideA monomer building block of the nucleic acids DNA and RNA. There are approximately 3 billion nucleotides in the entire human genome. Each chromosome contains about 50-250 million nucleotides. Four nucleotides are used to form DNA abbreviated as A, C, G and T. RNA contains four nucleotides as well, but uses U instead of T, so RNA contains A, C, G and U. Some chemotherapy agents, like 5-Fluorouracil ( 5-FU) and ARA-C are chemically very similar to one of the nucleotides and work by interfering with DNA function. mutations through alterations of all cell cycle phases.1
The diagram above shows the 3D molecular structure of Busulfan.
The most common adverse effect of busulfan is bone marrow depression which results in altered blood cell counts. For this reason, cell counts are monitored frequently to avoid any more serious effects. Other common side effects include: nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.1
Busulfan should not be taken by women who are pregnant and patients should not become pregnant while using this drug, as it may have harmful affects on the developing fetus. Busulfan can cause interstitial pneumonitis, as such patients should be monitored for pulmonary issues.1
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