Chemotherapy Drug Mechanisms

Question 1

Alkylating agents (Class)

Answer 1

Transfer Alkyl groups to Guanine bases in DNA, causing DNA damage

Question 2

Antimetabolites (Class)

Answer 2

Compounds that substitute for normal building blocks of DNA and RNA, disrupting DNA/RNA synthesis

Question 3

Anti-tumor antibiotics

Answer 3

DIFFERENT FROM ANTI BACTERIAL. 3 major subtypes that slow/halt cell cycle, usually by interfering w/ DNA synthesis enzymes or proteins involved in mitosis

Question 4

Cytoxan

Answer 4

-Alkylating agent
-Transfers alkyl group to cell
-Chemical group of Carbon and Hydrogen.
-Only toxic upon metabolism
-Converted into active form, does DNA damage

Question 5

Cisplatin

Answer 5

-Alkylating like agent
-Damaging DNA via crosslinking

Question 6

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)

Answer 6

-Mimics uracil
-Flourine bonded to hydrogen
-Binds to active site, prevents thymine synthesis

Question 7

Methotrexate (Amethopterin)

Answer 7

-Mimics folic acid
-Inhibits enzymes that use folic acid (Not able to build nucleotides)

Question 8

Adriamyacin

Answer 8

-Intercalater (Wedges itself between base pairs, disrupting replication)
-Effective, harsh cardiac side effects

Question 9

Etoposide

Answer 9

From mandrake plant, prevents unwinding of DNA

Question 10

Taxol

Answer 10

Prevents microtubule disassembly, stopping mitosis during metaphase

Question 11

Vinca alkaloids

Answer 11

Prevent microtubule assembly

Question 12

Treatment aims

Answer 12

Cure, control, palliative

Question 13

Routes

Answer 13

-Orally
-IV
-Intraarterioral
-Intraperitoneal
-During surgery