Vinca Alkaloids And Methotrexate

Question 1

When are vinca alkaloids used?

Answer 1

• used for a variety of cancers - leukaemias,lymphomas and some solid tumours (breast and lung cancer)

Question 2

Vinablastine, vincristine and vindesine

Answer 2

All for IV use only

Question 3

Vinorelbine

Answer 3

A semi-synthetic vinca alkaloid

Question 4

Give IV only

Answer 4

Intrathecally can cause severe neurotoxicity - intrathecal route is contraindicated

Question 5

Vinscristine side effects

Answer 5

Bronchospasm and neurotoxicity

Question 6

MS

Answer 6

-Chronic immune mediated inflammatory condition in the CNS
- Affects the brain, optic nerve and spinal cord
- leads to severe disability
-no cure
- treatment aimed at reducing frequency and duration of relapses and preventing or slowing down disability

Question 7

What drugs are used to treat MS

Answer 7

Interferon beta
Glatiramer acetate
Fingolimod - taken orally for highly active diseases
Natalizumab - only recommended for treating rapidly evolving severe relapsing - remitting MS

Question 8

Hormone responsive malignancy - breast cancer

Answer 8

• most common form of malignancy in women
• risk factors(age,early onset menstruation, late menopause,family history, oral contraceptives and postmenopausal HRT)
• Management includes: surgery,radiotherapy, drug therapy or combination of these

Question 9

Early and locally advanced breast cancer

Answer 9

• surgery,radiotherapy or drug treatment
• tamoxifen also given after surgery alone or with other chemo meds
• women who decline chemo may be given goserelin
• anastrozle and letrozole (aromatase inhibitors) are also used

Question 10

Advanced breast cancer

Answer 10

• endocrine therapy - 1st line
• aromatase inhibitors (eg. Anastrazole,terozole and exemestane) offered to patients with no history of endocrine therapy or in previously treated with tamoxifen