Sketchy Pharm: Bleomycin, Doxorubicin, Daunorubicin, Actinomycin D Flashcards
Why are bleomycin, doxorubicin, and actinomycin called “antibiotics for cancer?”
Because they are produced by fungi and other microorganisms and only incidentally kill cancer
How does bleomycin work?
It has two regions: a DNA-binding region and an iron-binding region. Bleomycin binds to DNA with one end and then generates superoxide radicals with the other, thus causing DNA breaks.
(Think of the BeLuga BLeomycin with the superoxide bubbles in front of the helical kelp.)
True or false: bleomycin is stage-specific.
True! Somewhat surprisingly, it causes cells to halt in G2 (like the Galleon next to the beluga).
Bleomycin has what side effects?
- Pulmonary toxicity, both acute and chronic (coral shaped like lungs)
- Skin striae and hyperpigmentation (pigmented stripes on beluga)
- Stomatitis (beluga with mouth hurt after biting urchin)
- Alopecia (bald belugas)
How do the anthracyclines work?
The anthracyclines –doxorubicin and daunorubicin –generate superoxide radicals (bubbles floating out of RUBy chest) and intercalate in DNA (hearts stuck to helical kelp).
The dose-limiting toxicity of doxorubicin is ________________.
dilated cardiomyopathy (like the rubies in the floppy heart coral)
Note: they also cause myelosuppression (like the open bone chest) that can also be dose-limiting.
What drug can be given with doxorubicin to prevent the heart-damaging effects?
Dexrazoxane
Think of the pirate skeleton on the DEck with the RAZOr who is protecting the heart on the prow of the ship.
Like bleomycin, the anthracyclines also cause what two symptoms?
- Alopecia (bald skeleton)
* Stomatitis (urchin that heart belugas mouth)
How does actinomycin D work?
Like doxorubicin, it intercalates into DNA.
Think of the artifACTs –it’s a stretch, I know –strewn into the DNA.
Actinomycin is commonly used to treat what cancers?
Childhood solid tumors like Ewing’s sarcoma or Wilms tumor (which is why there is a child’s doll in the artifact debris!)
