Oncology

Question 1

Describe platinum compounds

Answer 1

-Ex = Carboplatin, cisplatin
-These drugs covalently attach an alkyl group to purine base pairs = cross-linking within & between DNA strands
Ex: Tumor cells with BRCA mutations are more likely to accumulate excessive DNA cross-linking & undergo apoptosis when exposed to platinum comp = greater tumor regression

-Cancers with BRCA mutations (defective double-strand DNA repair)

Question 2

Describe Paclitaxel

Answer 2

-Target = cytoskeleton protein tubulin
-Disruption of mitotic spindle formation, chromosome segregation, & cell division