Antineoplastic & Immunomodulatory Drugs

Question 1

What are neoplasms?

Answer 1

Cancer cells that can spread from the site of origin to other areas of the body

Question 2

Where does rapid cell division occur in the body?

Answer 2

GI tract, bone marrow, reproductive organs and hair follicles

Question 3

What are the 5 phases of the cell cycle?

Answer 3

G1, S, G2, M, G0

Question 4

Explain the 5 phases of the cell cycle: G1, S, G2, M, G0

Answer 4

G1: enzymes needed for DNA synthesis are produced
S: DNA synthesis and replication
G2: RNA and protein synthesis
M: mitosis phase
G0: resting phase

Question 5

All neoplastic drugs are:

Answer 5

cytotoxic and interfere with normal and abnormal cells

Question 6

What is growth fraction?

Answer 6

Percentage of cancer cells that are actively dividing

Question 7

What is doubling time?

Answer 7

Time required for number of cancer cells to double

Question 8

What are CCNS (Cell Cycle Nonspecific) Drugs do?

Answer 8

Effective on all phases of the cell cycle

Question 9

What do Alkylating agents (which are CCNS) do?

Answer 9

Cross link DNA to inhibit replication

Question 10

Name 1 CCNS drug

Answer 10

Procarbazine

Question 11

What do antitumor antibiotics do?

Answer 11

Inhibit DNA, RNA and protein synthesis

Question 12

What do steroid drugs do?

Answer 12

Have an anti-inflammatory effect, suppress bone marrow cells, reduce edema and suppress tumor growth. More effective at the S&M phase.

Question 13

Name an example of a steroid drug

Answer 13

Prednisone

Question 14

Antimetabolites (which are CCS) do what?

Answer 14

Affect the S phase involving DNA synthesis

Question 15

Name an antimetabolite and immunosuppresive drug

Answer 15

Azathioprine, not recommended for cats or pregnant animals

Question 16

What do alkaloids (which are CCS) do?

Answer 16

Stop cancer cell division, are chemicals derived from plants. Works on M phase.

Question 17

Name 3 alkaloid drugs

Answer 17

Vincristine, Vinblastine, Vinorelbine (Vin(e)=alkaloid plant drugs)

Question 18

What is calculation of antineoplastic drug doses based on?

Answer 18

Body surface area in square meters

Question 19

What are some tips for handling antineoplastic drugs?

Answer 19

Wear latex gloves, wipe all external surfaces and bottles with 70% alcohol. Wear goggles and/or filtration mask and wash hands. Maintain record of all exposures.

Question 20

What is paraneoplastic syndrome?

Answer 20

Tumor associated changes in an animal’s body structure and/or function that occur distant to the tumor. Often the first sign of malignancy.

Question 21

Name 2 clinical examples of paraneoplastic syndrome

Answer 21

Alopecia (feline pancreatic carcinoma) and peripheral neuropathy (insulinoma)

Question 22

Name 3 BRM (biological response modifiers)

Answer 22

Interleukins, Acemannan, Monoclonal antibodies

Question 23

What do interleukins do?

Answer 23

Promote the replication of antigen-specific T cells

Question 24

What does Acemannan do?

Answer 24

potent stimulator of macrophage activity, is an immune polysaccharide used in tx of fibrosarcomas and MCT

Question 25

What do monoclonal antibodies do?

Answer 25

Cytotoxic effect on tumor cells and are used in conjunction with other antineoplastic drugs

Question 26

Name 2 immunosuppressive drugs

Answer 26

Cyclosporine and Azathioprine

Question 27

What does cyclosporine do? Adverse effects?

Answer 27

Inhibits growth of T-lymphocytes, used to manage KCS and immune mediated skin disorders. Adverse effects are vomiting and nephrotoxicity.

Question 28

What does Azathioprine do?

Answer 28

affects cells in the S phase, inhibits T and B lymphocytes

Question 29

Name an enzyme for cancer pain

Answer 29

L-asparaginase