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Busulfan

Generic Name
Busulfan
Brand Names
Busulfex, Myleran, Busulfan Fresenius Kabi
Drug Type
Small Molecule
Chemical Formula
C6H14O6S2
CAS Number
55-98-1
Unique Ingredient Identifier
G1LN9045DK

Overview

Busulfan is a bifunctional alkylating agent, having a selective immunosuppressive effect on bone marrow. It is not a structural analog of the nitrogen mustards. It has been used in the palliative treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (myeloid leukemia, chronic), but although symptomatic relief is provided, no permanent remission is brought about. According to the Fourth Annual Report on Carcinogens (NTP 85-002, 1985), busulfan is listed as a known carcinogen.

Indication

For use in combination with cyclophosphamide as a conditioning regimen prior to allogeneic hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation for chronic myelogenous (myeloid, myelocytic, granulocytic) leukemia (FDA has designated busulfan as an orphan drug for this use). It is also used as a component of pretransplant conditioning regimens in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia and nonmalignant diseases.

Associated Conditions

  • Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
  • Essential Thrombocythemia (ET)
  • Polycythemia Vera (PV)

Research Report

Published: May 14, 2025

Busulfan Report

Name: Busulfan Name (English): Busulfan DrugBank ID: DB01008 Type: Small Molecule CAS Number: 55-98-1

Description: Busulfan is an alkylating agent used primarily in the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia and as part of conditioning regimens before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for various hematologic malignancies and non-malignant diseases. It works by alkylating DNA, which disrupts DNA replication and RNA transcription, ultimately leading to cell death.

Pharmacodynamics: Busulfan is a bifunctional alkylating agent that forms DNA crosslinks, mainly guanine-adenine intrastrand crosslinks, interfering with DNA replication and RNA transcription. This non-specific action affects both cancerous and normal cells, particularly hematopoietic progenitor cells.

Pharmacokinetics:

  • Absorption: Well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, with an absolute bioavailability of approximately 80%. Peak plasma concentrations are reached within approximately 0.9 hours.
  • Distribution: Highly lipophilic and crosses the blood-brain barrier.
  • Metabolism: Extensively metabolized in the liver, primarily by conjugation with glutathione via glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), with GSTA1 being the primary isoform.
  • Elimination: Metabolites are excreted in the urine.

Indications:

  • Palliative treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia.
  • Conditioning regimen prior to allogeneic hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation for chronic myelogenous leukemia.
  • Component of pretransplant conditioning regimens in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia and nonmalignant diseases.

Contraindications:

  • Hypersensitivity to busulfan.
  • Severe bone marrow depression.

Continue reading the full research report

Clinical Trials

Title
Posted
Study ID
Phase
Status
Sponsor
2025/08/11
Not Applicable
ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION
2025/07/04
Not Applicable
Not yet recruiting
2025/05/30
Phase 1
Not yet recruiting
City of Hope Medical Center
2025/05/07
Phase 1
Recruiting
2025/05/02
Phase 2
Not yet recruiting
2025/03/12
Phase 2
Recruiting
2025/02/28
Phase 1
ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION
2025/02/05
Phase 1
Recruiting
He Huang
2025/02/05
Phase 1
Recruiting
He Huang
2025/01/31
Phase 2
Recruiting

FDA Drug Approvals

Approved Product
Manufacturer
NDC Code
Route
Strength
Effective Date
Accord Healthcare, Inc
16729-351
INTRAVENOUS
6 mg in 1 mL
1/5/2024
Meitheal Pharmaceuticals Inc.
71288-158
INTRAVENOUS
6 mg in 1 mL
4/21/2021
Sagent Pharmaceuticals
25021-241
INTRAVENOUS
6 mg in 1 mL
9/10/2020
Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc.
59148-070
INTRAVENOUS
6 mg in 1 mL
3/25/2020
Mylan Institutional LLC
67457-893
INTRAVENOUS
6 mg in 1 mL
5/10/2017
Waylis Therapeutics LLC
80725-620
ORAL
2 mg in 1 1
5/15/2023
Hospira, Inc.
0409-1112
INTRAVENOUS
6 mg in 1 mL
8/10/2020
Nexus Pharmaceuticals LLC
14789-013
INTRAVENOUS
60 mg in 10 mL
9/7/2023
Woodward Pharma Services LLC
69784-620
ORAL
2 mg in 1 1
4/15/2022
Pharmascience Inc.
51817-170
INTRAVENOUS
6 mg in 1 mL
5/18/2022

EMA Drug Approvals

HSA Drug Approvals

Approved Product
Manufacturer
Approval Number
Dosage Form
Strength
Approval Date
BUSULFEX® INJECTION 60 mg/vial
SIN13260P
INJECTION, SOLUTION, CONCENTRATE
60 mg/vial
4/30/2007
MYRAN TABLETS 2 mg
SIN11001P
TABLET
2 mg
6/29/1999

NMPA Drug Approvals

Approved Product
Company
Approval Number
Drug Type
Dosage Form
Approval Date
No NMPA approvals found for this drug.

PPB Drug Approvals

Approved Product
Registration No.
Company
Licence No.
Strength
Registration Date
No PPB approvals found for this drug.

Health Canada Drug Approvals

Approved Product
Company
DIN
Dosage Form
Strength
Market Date
BUSULFAN INJECTION
02473127
Solution - Intravenous
60 MG / 10 ML
N/A
BUSULFAN FOR INJECTION
eugia pharma inc.
02536935
Solution - Intravenous
60 MG / 10 ML
N/A
MYLERAN
00004618
Tablet - Oral
2 MG
12/31/1954
BUSULFAN FOR INJECTION
marcan pharmaceuticals inc
02475006
Solution - Intravenous
60 MG / 10 ML
N/A
BUSULFAN FOR INJECTION
Sterimax Inc
02463733
Solution - Intravenous
60 MG / 10 ML
10/4/2017
PMS-BUSULFAN
02477343
Solution - Intravenous
6 MG / ML
3/29/2019
BUSULFEX
02240602
Solution - Intravenous
60 MG / 10 ML
9/23/1999
BUSULFAN FOR INJECTION
auro pharma inc
02521296
Solution - Intravenous
60 MG / 10 ML
N/A

CIMA AEMPS Drug Approvals

Approved Product
Company
Registration Number
Pharmaceutical Form
Prescription Type
Status
BUSILVEX 6 mg/ml CONCENTRADO PARA SOLUCION PARA PERFUSION
03254002
CONCENTRADO PARA SOLUCIÓN PARA PERFUSIÓN
Uso Hospitalario
Not Commercialized
BUSULFANO ACCORD 6 MG/ML CONCENTRADO PARA SOLUCION PARA PERFUSION EFG
81189
CONCENTRADO PARA EMULSIÓN PARA PERFUSIÓN
Uso Hospitalario
Commercialized
BUSULFANO ASPEN 2 MG COMPRIMIDOS RECUBIERTOS CON PELICULA
33323
COMPRIMIDO RECUBIERTO CON PELÍCULA
Medicamento Sujeto A Prescripción Médica
Commercialized
ISOLFAN 6 MG/ML CONCENTRADO PARA SOLUCION PARA PERFUSION EFG
82457
CONCENTRADO PARA SOLUCIÓN PARA PERFUSIÓN
Uso Hospitalario
Not Commercialized
BUSULFANO GLENMARK 6 MG/ML CONCENTRADO PARA SOLUCION PARA PERFUSION EFG
85690
CONCENTRADO PARA SOLUCIÓN PARA PERFUSIÓN
Uso Hospitalario
Commercialized
BUSULFANO FRESENIUS KABI 6 MG/ML CONCENTRADO PARA SOLUCION PARA PERFUSION EFG
114951001
CONCENTRADO PARA SOLUCIÓN PARA PERFUSIÓN
Uso Hospitalario
Commercialized
BUSULFANO ZENTIVA 6 MG/ML CONCENTRADO PARA SOLUCION PARA PERFUSION EFG
83135
CONCENTRADO PARA SOLUCIÓN PARA PERFUSIÓN
Uso Hospitalario
Commercialized

Philippines FDA Drug Approvals

Approved Product
Company
License Number
Dosage Form
Strength
Approval Date
No Philippines FDA approvals found for this drug.

Saudi SFDA Drug Approvals

Approved Product
Company
License Number
Dosage Form
Strength
Approval Date
No Saudi SFDA approvals found for this drug.

Malaysia NPRA Drug Approvals

Approved Product
Company
Registration Number
Dosage Form
Strength
Approval Date
No Malaysia NPRA approvals found for this drug.

UK EMC Drug Information

Medicine Name
MA Holder
MA Number
Pharmaceutical Form
Active Ingredient
Authorization Date
No UK EMC drug information found for this drug.

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