Cytotoxic chemotherapy

Question 1

What is the role of chemo and radiotherapy?

Answer 1

Damages DNA of cancer cells as it divides (mitosis)

Cell recognises it is damaged beyond repair and dies by apoptosis.

Often involves p53. p53 mutations make it more difficult to treat with chemo and radiotherapy.

Question 2

What are examples of cell cycle specific agents?

Answer 2

Antimetabolites

Question 3

What are the general side-effects (immediate) of cytotoxic drugs?

Answer 3

Bone marrow suppression

Gut mucosal damage

Hair loss (alopecia)

Question 4

Examples of mitotic spindle inhibitors?

Answer 4

Plant derivatives -