Two Cases of Busulfan Toxicity
Authors: RICHARD V. SMALLEY
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1966)

Case Studies1 January 1966Two Cases of Busulfan ToxicityRICHARD V. SMALLEY, M.D., ROBERT L. WALL, M.D., F.A.C.P.RICHARD V. SMALLEY, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, ROBERT L. WALL, M.D., F.A.C.P.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-64-1-154 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptBusulfan (1-4, dimethanesulfonoxybutane) (Myleran®) is at present widely used in the therapy of chronic granulocytic leukemia. It is highly effective when administered either as maintainance therapy or intermittently as required. From 87 to 100% of patients under therapy go into an effective remission of their disease and are able to lead useful productive lives (1-9). Toxicity has remained extremely low; the only serious effect noted has been bone marrow depression, and even this is very unusual if the dosage is kept within prescribed limits. Wilkinson (1) in his review, stated that busulfan appeared to be "singularly free of toxic side...References1. WILKINSONTURNER JFRL: Chemotherapy of chronic myeloid leukemia with special reference to Myleran, in Progress in Hematology, Vol. 2, edited by TOCANTINS, L. M. Grune & Stratton, New York and London, 1959, p. 225. Google Scholar2. PETRAKISBIERMANKELLYWHITESHIMKIN NLHRKHLPMB: The effect of 1,4 dimethane sulfonyloxybutane (Myleran) upon leukemia. Cancer 7: 383, 1954. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. BRIDGESHAYESNELSON JMDMMG: Busulfan in the therapy of chronic granulocytic leukaemia. Brit. J. Cancer 15: 468, 1961. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. HAUTABBOTTWINTROBECARTWRIGHT AWSMMGE: Busulfan treatment of chronic granulocytic leukemia. The effect of long term intermittent therapy. Blood 17: 1, 1961. 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Fertil. 5: 187, 1963. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar25. HELLERJONES RHHW: Production of ovarian dysgenesis in the rat and human by busulfan. Amer. J. Obstet. Gynec. 89: 414, 1964. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar26. MOLONEY WC: Management of leukemia in pregnancy. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 114: 857, 1964. CrossrefGoogle Scholar27. DIAMONDANDERSONMCCREADIE IMSR: Transplacental transmission of busulfan in a mother with leukemia. Pediatrics 25: 85, 1960. MedlineGoogle Scholar28. KYLESCHWARTZOLINERDAMESHEK RARSHLW: Syndrome resembling adrenal cortical insufficiency associated with long term busulfan (Myleran) therapy. Blood 18: 497, 1961. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar29. DESAI R: Treatment of chronic granulocytic leukemia and lymphatic leukemia and allied disorders with Myleran and Leukeran in Indian subjects. Acta Haemat. Jap. 22: 160, 1959. Google Scholar30. CALERO C: Hyperpigmentation of the skin in patients with busulfan (myleran) therapy. Arch. Med. Panamen. 12: 101, 1964. Google Scholar31. Case record of the Massachusetts General Hospital, case number 3-1965. New Eng. J. Med. 272: 95, 1965. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar32. PERSSONSODERSTROM SN: Adreno cortical insufficiency in chronic leukaemia. Acta Haemat (Basel) 27: 345, 1962. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar33. KYLEDAMESHEK RAW: Porphyria cutanea tarda associated with chronic granulocytic leukemia treated with Busulfan (Myleran). Blood 23: 776, 1964. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: RICHARD V. SMALLEY, M.D.; ROBERT L. WALL, M.D., F.A.C.P.Affiliations: Columbus, OhioFrom the Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Ohio State University Hospitals and School of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio.This study was supported in part by the James Ewing Beavis Foundation for leukemia research, Ohio State University.Dr. Smalley is an advanced clinical fellow of the American Cancer Society.Requests for reprints should be addressed to Richard V. Smalley, M.D., Temple University Hospital, Broad and Ontario Streets, Philadelphia, Pa. 19140. 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ERSLEV, M.D., F.A.C.P.ALKYLATING AGENTSSPECIAL PROBLEMS IN TOXICITYModern Aspects of Medical Treatment of Malignancy: The Use and Abuse of Cytotoxic Agents 1 January 1966Volume 64, Issue 1Page: 154-164KeywordsBone marrowFibrosisHematology and oncologyHospital medicineHyperpigmentationMenopauseToxicity ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 January 1966 PDF downloadLoading ...