Cancer 101 Flashcards
(26 cards)
What are the therapeutic modalities for cancer?
Surgery, radiotherapy, anticancer drugs.
What are the three goals of cancer therapy?
Cure, control, and palliation.
How are anticancer drugs classified?
- Cytotoxic (Conventional chemotherapy), 2. Hormonal therapy, 3. Targeted therapy.
What is the mechanism of action of cytotoxic chemotherapy?
Inhibition of RNA and DNA synthesis or cell division.
What are examples of alkylating agents?
Cyclophosphamide, melphalan, chlorambucil, cisplatin, carboplatin.
What is the mechanism of action of alkylating agents?
Form covalent bonds with DNA, leading to cross-linking between DNA strands and inhibition of DNA synthesis.
What are the subclasses of antimetabolites?
- Anti-folate (e.g., methotrexate), 2. Pyrimidine analogs (e.g., 5-FU), 3. Purine analogs (e.g., 6-mercaptopurine).
What is the mechanism of action of methotrexate?
Inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, leading to depletion of tetrahydrofolate and inhibition of DNA and RNA synthesis.
What is the mechanism of action of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)?
Converted to nucleotide form, inhibits thymidine synthesis, and incorporates false nucleotides into DNA/RNA.
What are examples of natural products used as anticancer drugs?
Vinca alkaloids (vincristine), taxanes (paclitaxel), antibiotics (doxorubicin, bleomycin).
What is the mechanism of action of vinca alkaloids?
Inhibit tubulin polymerization, disrupting microtubule assembly and arresting mitosis.
What is the mechanism of action of anthracyclines like doxorubicin?
Generate free radicals, inhibit topoisomerase II, intercalate into DNA, causing strand breaks.
What are the two main types of targeted therapy?
- Monoclonal antibodies, 2. Small molecule inhibitors.
What is the mechanism of action of trastuzumab?
Binds to HER-2 receptors, inhibiting growth signals in HER-2 positive breast cancer.
What is the mechanism of action of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., erlotinib)?
Inhibit EGFR tyrosine kinase, preventing downstream signaling involved in tumor growth.
What cancers are treated with hormonal therapy?
Hormone-sensitive cancers, such as breast and prostate cancers.
What are examples of hormone receptor antagonists?
Tamoxifen (SERM), flutamide (androgen receptor antagonist).
What are examples of aromatase inhibitors?
Anastrozole, letrozole, exemestane.
What are the common side effects of cytotoxic anticancer drugs?
Bone marrow suppression, mucositis, alopecia, nausea, vomiting, infertility, teratogenicity.
What is the organ toxicity associated with cisplatin?
Nephrotoxicity.
What is the organ toxicity associated with bleomycin?
Pulmonary fibrosis.
What are the side effects of anthracyclines (e.g., doxorubicin)?
Cardiotoxicity (arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy).
What are vesicant drugs?
IV drugs that cause tissue damage when they extravasate, e.g., anthracyclines, vinca alkaloids.
What are the two types of drug resistance in cancer therapy?
- Primary resistance (absence of response on first exposure), 2. Acquired resistance (develops after initial response).
