How does Bosulif work in chronic myeloid leukemia?

Q: How does Bosulif work in chronic myeloid leukemia?

Bosulif is a targeted chemotherapy drug that works by stopping or slowing the growth of CML cells. It is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor and works by inhibiting BCR-ABL kinase, as well as Src family kinases.

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Oct 3, 2023.

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.

References

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. https://www.lls.org/leukemia/chronic-myeloid-leukemia#:~:text=The%20Philadelphia%20Chromosome%20and%20the%20BCR%3A%3AABL1%20Fusion%20Gene&text=All%20cases%20of%20CML%20are,marrow%20cell%20during%20cell%20division.
Isfort S, Keller-v Amsberg G, Schafhausen P, Koschmieder S, Brümmendorf TH. Bosutinib: a novel second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Recent Results Cancer Res. 2014;201:81-97. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-54490-3_4.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Bosulif. https://labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx?id=884

Is Bosulif a chemotherapy drug?

Bosulif (bosutinib monohydrate) is used to treat cancer but is known as a targeted treatment because it inhibits specific kinases that promote the growth of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Targeted treatments differ from traditional chemotherapy agents because they only target specific proteins on a cell, rather than having an effect on all dividing cells, like traditional chemotherapy agents do. Continue reading

What to avoid when taking Gleevec?

Talk to your doctor about warnings, side effects, use in pregnancy and possible drug interactions with Gleevec.
Take your Gleevec exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use Gleevec if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
Take each tablet with a meal and large glass of water to help prevent stomach irritation.
Do not use a broken Gleevec tablet. The medicine from a broken pill can be dangerous if it gets in your mouth, eyes, or nose, or on your skin.
Do not use grapefruit products while taking Gleevec, unless okayed by your healthcare provider
Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine may affect you. Use caution when driving as Gleevec may cause dizziness, drowsiness or blurred vision.

Is there a generic for Gleevec?

Yes, there is a generic version of Gleevec known as imatinib. Imatinib comes in a 100-mg and 400-mg oral tablet. Generic imatinib was approved in the U.S. in Dec. 2015 and was first manufactured by Sun Pharmaceuticals. Today, there are multiple manufacturers that produce the generic version of Gleevec. Imkeldi, an oral solution of imatinib first approved in November 2024, does not yet have a generic option. Continue reading

How does Bosulif work in chronic myeloid leukemia?

What is chronic myeloid leukemia?

Read next

Is Bosulif a chemotherapy drug?

What to avoid when taking Gleevec?

Is there a generic for Gleevec?

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