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busulphan
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Busulphan is an alkylating drug now used almost exclusively to treat chronic myeloid leukaemia; it is also used to treat polycythaemia rubra vera (1,2,3)
For chronic myeloid leukaemia it is given as either a daily dose or as pulsed dose every 4-6 weeks.
In polycythaemia rubra vera, an oral dose of 4-6mg daily effectively reduces the haematocrit in combination with venesection. It is a second-line drug due to the severity of its side-effects.
- study evidence has revealed no association between leukemic transformation and hydroxyurea or busulphan use if used in the treatment of polycythaemia (3)
Reference:
- Smith, A.G.. Polycythaemia & its management. Prescribers' Journal 1994;34:4:142-151.
- Haanen C, Mathe G, Hayat M. Treatment of polycythaemia vera by radiophosphorus or busulphan: A randomized clinical trial. Br J Cancer. 1981;44: 75 .
- Tefferi A et al. Survival and prognosis among 1545 patients with contemporary polycythemia vera: an international study.Leukemia. 2013 Sep;27(9):1874-81
Last reviewed 01/2018
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