Description

Bartex (busulfan) is a cytotoxic or anti-cancer medication. It is an alkylating agent, which works by damaging the genetic material of cells. It is typically a potent and highly toxic medicine used in specific cancer treatments.

Indication

The primary indication for Bartex (busulfan) is the treatment of certain blood cancers, specifically chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). It is also used in combination with other cancer medicines during hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation (HPCT), also known as a stem cell or bone marrow transplant.

Mechanism of Action

Busulfan, the active ingredient in Bartex, is an alkylating agent. Its mechanism of action involves damaging the genetic material (DNA and RNA) of cancer cells. It introduces alkyl groups into the DNA, which causes breaks and cross-linking in the DNA strands. This prevents the cancer cells from growing and multiplying, leading to their death. This action is not selective to cancer cells, which is why it has serious side effects on healthy, rapidly dividing cells in the body, such as those in bone marrow.