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Hydroxyurea
Source: Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Treatment (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: March 13, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.
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Context: Treatment Option Overview for CML
Hydroxyurea is superior to busulfan in the chronic phase of CML, with significantly longer median survival and significantly fewer severe adverse effects.[11] A dose of 40 mg/kg per day is often used initially, and frequently results in a rapid reduction of the white blood cell (WBC) count. When the WBC count drops below 20 × 109/L, the hydroxyurea dose is often reduced and titrated to maintain a WBC count between 5 × 109/L and 20 × 109/L.
Source links and citations
Hydroxyurea is used primarily to stabilize patients with hyperleukocytosis or as palliative therapy for patients who have not responded to other therapies.
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