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Medicine 2 Week 6 - 11 > Chemotherapy > Flashcards

Flashcards in Chemotherapy Deck (16)
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1
Q

Cancer Treatments

A
Surgery
Radiotherapy
Chemotherapy
 - Neo-adjuvant
 - Adjuvant
 - Palliative

Immunotherapy

2
Q

Drugs given in malignancies

A

Chemotherapy

3
Q

Why is chemotherapy given in intervals

A

To allow bone marrow recover

Bone Marrow is also targeted as they are also rapidly dividing

4
Q

Effect of Multiple courses of chemotherapy on normal cells and tumour cells

A
5
Q

Targets of Chemotherapy

A

DNA Synthesis

6
Q

Folate antagonists

A

Interfere with synthesis of purines & pyrimidines - (methotrexate)

Antimetabolites

7
Q

How to treat side effects of folate antagonists

A

High dose folic acid is given to patients afterwards to prevent side effects and replenish folic acid reservoirs

8
Q

False substrate approach of chemotherapy

A

5-Fluoruracil

Pyrimidine Analogues
Inhibit thmidylate synthase, incorporated into DNA as false metabolites lead to DNA damage

Antimetabolite

**Chemotherapy

9
Q

Alkylating Agents

A

Cyclophosphamide

Cause chemical cross linking of DNA, preventing DNA replication (I think)

**Chemotherapy

10
Q

Platinum compounds

A

Cisplatin

Inhibition of DNA synthesis by cross-linking Guanine (G) residues

Revolutionised treatment of testicular cancer

  • *Chemotherapy
  • *Think Giratina (G) from Pokemon Platinum
11
Q

Anthracycline antibiotics

A

Doxorubicin

Interfere with nucleotide synthesis by intercalating between DNA strands, inhibiting topoisomerase (involved in uncoiling and supercoiling) and generating free radicals

12
Q

Topoisomerase Inhibitors

A

Etoposide

Inhibition of topoisomerase II prevents ligation of DNA, leading to breaks in DNA strand

**Chemotherapy

13
Q

Microtubule inhibitors

A

Vinca Alkaloids block the formation of the mitotic spindle

Taxanes stabilise spindle fibres and stop them from doing their job

**Chemotherapy

14
Q

Side effects of anticancer chemotherapy

A

Inhibiting all fast growing cells (GI epithelia, hair loss)

Myelosuppression (bone marrow)

  • Neutropaenia/Neutropaenic sepsis
  • Anaemia
  • Decreased platelet counts

Nausea (especially Pt compounds)
Infertility
Cardiotoxicity

15
Q

How to overcome reduced white counts as a side effect of chemotherapy

A

Colony-Stimulating Factors
Antibiotics & Antifungals

Maintain good oral hygeine

16
Q

Palliative Care of Cancer

A
Pain Relief
Strong Opioids
 - Morphine/Heroine
Syringe Drivers
Hospice Care

Decks in Medicine 2 Week 6 - 11 Class (54):