Oncology

Question 1

What are the side effects of cisplatin?

Answer 1

Ototoxicity, PN, hypomagnesmia

Question 2

What is the mechanism of action of cisplatin?

Answer 2

Causes cross linking of DNA

Question 3

What is the mechanism of action of hydroxyurea?

Answer 3

It inhibits ribonucleotide reductase -> decreasing DNA synthesis -» myelosuppression

Question 4

What is the mechanism of action / SEs of vincristine?

and vinblastine?

Answer 4

Inhibits the formation of microotubules
Vincristine: PN (reversible)
Vinblastine: myelosuppression

Question 5

What is the mechanism of action of cytarabine?

Answer 5

Pyrimidine antagonist. Interferes with DNA synthesis in the S phase of the cell cycle and inhibits DNA polymerase.
SEs: myelosup & ataxia

Question 6

What is the mechanism of action of 6-mercaptapurine?

Answer 6

Purine analogue that is activated by HGPRTase decreasing purine synthesis.
SEs: Myelosup

Question 7

What is the mechanism of action of 5-FU?

Side effects?

Answer 7

Pyrimidine analogue inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by blocking thymidylate synthase in S phase
SEs: Myelosup, mucusitis & dematitis

Question 8

What is the mechanism of action of methotrexate?

Answer 8

Inhibits dihydrofolate reductase and thymidylate synthesis

SEs: myelosup, mucositis, liver fibrosis, lung fibrosis

Question 9

What is the mechanism of action of Doxorubicin?

Answer 9

Stabilises DNA-topoisomerase II complex -> inhibits DNA and RNA synthesis
SEs: Cardiomyopathy

Question 10

What is the mechanism of action of bleomycin?

Answer 10

Degrades preformed RNA

SEs: Lung fibrosis

Question 11

What is the mechanism of action of Cyclophosphamide?

Answer 11

Alkylating agent: causes cross-linkage of DNA

Question 12

What are the side effects of cyclophospamide?

Answer 12

myelosup
haemorrhagic cystitis
transitional cell carcinoma (TCC)

Question 13

What is cyclophosphamide used to treat?

Answer 13

Malignancy: incl breast cancer 
Nephrotic syndrome 
NHL (CHOP)
Lupus nephritis 
Vasculitis