Intro To Chemo And Resistance Mechanisms 1 Flashcards
(13 cards)
What are the goals of chemotherapy?
Curative, Palliative
Goals of chemotherapy encompass both curative and palliative approaches, depending on the cancer type and stage.
Name two types of cancers treated with chemotherapy.
- Acute Leukemias
- Breast Cancer
Other cancers treated include ovarian cancer, prostatic cancer, and lung (small cell) cancer.
What does the ‘log kill phenomenon’ refer to?
Destruction of cancer cells by chemotherapeutic agents follows first-order kinetics
A given dose of drug destroys a constant fraction of cells.
What are critical points for successful cancer treatment?
- Early start to treatment
- Continuing treatment past detection
- Appropriate scheduling of treatment courses
These factors are crucial for achieving a sufficient log-kill of cancer cells.
What is necessary to achieve a cure in cancer chemotherapy?
A TOTAL CELL KILL must be tried
This includes early diagnosis, combination chemotherapy, and intermittent treatment regimens.
What is the rationale behind combination chemotherapy?
- Heterogeneity of cells
- Different biochemical sites of action
- Avoidance of drug resistance
- Maximal cell kill within tolerated toxicity
Combination therapy aims to enhance efficacy and minimize toxicity.
What does ‘acquired resistance’ mean in cancer treatment?
Resistance develops in response to exposure to a given anticancer agent
This can occur after initial effectiveness of the treatment.
What is primary resistance in cancer chemotherapy?
Absence of response on the first exposure to currently available agents
This type of resistance may occur in certain cancers regardless of treatment.
What is the significance of gene amplification in acquired resistance?
It can contribute to tumor evolution and resistance through altered gene expression
This often occurs in solid tumors due to chromosomal rearrangements.
Fill in the blank: Decreased accumulation of cytotoxic drugs is a mechanism of _______.
Acquired resistance
This decrease can lead to reduced effectiveness of chemotherapy.
What are the three main clinical settings for chemotherapy?
- Primary induction
- Neo-adjuvant treatment
- Adjuvant treatment
Each setting serves a different purpose in cancer management.
What is the role of dosage factors in chemotherapy?
Clinical benefit is limited by systemic toxicity and drug resistance
Dose intensity is a critical factor in achieving a cure.
True or False: Intermittent regimens are part of the guiding principles in cancer chemotherapy.
True
Intermittent regimens help manage toxicity and improve treatment outcomes.
