Article: Busulfan

Busulfan
Systematic (IUPAC) name
1,4-bis(methylsulfonyloxy)butane
Identifiers
CAS number	55-98-1
ATC code	L01AB01
PubChem	148760
DrugBank	APRD00664
Chemical data
Formula	C6H14O6S2
Mol. weight	246.304
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	?
Metabolism	?
Half life	?
Excretion	?
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	?
Legal status	Px-only
Routes	Oral, Parenteral

Busulfan is a chemotherapy drug that is an alkylating agent (slows the growth of cancer cells). It is marketed in the US by GlaxoSmithKline under the brand name Myleran, and has been in clinical use since 1959. Currently, its main uses are in bone marrow transplantation, especially in Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), where it is used as a conditioning drug. Toxicity may include pulmonary fibrosis and hyperpigmentation.

Busulfan also induces thrombocytopenia, a condition of lowered blood platelet count and activity. The drug was recently used in a study (published April 2006, Science) to examine the role of platelet-transported serotonin in liver regeneration.