How does it work for chronic myeloid leukemia?

Drugs.com

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Bosulif (bosutinib monohydrate) is a small molecule chemotherapy drug used to treat adults and some children aged 1 year and older with a type of cancer called chronic myeloid leukemia (CML; also called chronic myelogenous leukemia). Bosulif isn't your typical chemotherapy drug; it's a targeted chemotherapy drug that works by stopping or slowing the growth of CML cells. It works by inhibiting the action of BCR-ABL kinase—a protein typically overproduced by CML cells, stopping or slowing the growth of CML cells. In addition to its role in targeting BCR-ABL, it also inhibits Src, Lyn and Hck, which are part of the Src family of kinases. Bosulif belongs to the class of medicines known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

What is chronic myeloid leukemia?

CML is a type of blood cancer originates within the bone marrow, affecting the blood-forming cells. Specifically, CML impacts cells within the myeloid cell line, encompassing monocytes, red blood cells, platelets, and granulocytes—key infection-fighting white blood cells. In the case of CML, these cells undergo uncontrolled growth, much like other cancer types.

CML typically arises when DNA is swapped during cell division between chromosomes 9 and 22 in a process known as translocation. This leads to a chromosome 22 that is shorter than it should be, which is called a Philadelphia chromosome. When the DNA is swapped from one chromosome to another an abnormal gene that promotes cell growth and division, called BCR-ABL, is also formed. The BCR-ABL gene makes a protein called a tyrosine kinase, which Bosulif targets.

Related medical questions

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords