6A - Cancer Treatments

Question 1

Chemical Weapons and Cancer

Answer 1

Sulfur mustard led to investigation of nitrogen mustards
stockpiled in WWII but never used in combat
Leak of nitrogen mustard on a SS John E. Harvey at Bari, Italy. 1000 dead immediately, 800 injured, 69 more deaths followed
617 autopsies showed selective deaths of white blood cells
If a chemical could selectively kill a certain type of cell, could we use that chemical to treat a patient who has that type of cell reproducing too rapidly and uncontrollably?
Cancer is rapid, uncontrolled reproduction of cells
THE BIRTH OF CANCER CHEMOTHERAPY

Question 2

Grow, Divide, (Die,) Repeat

Answer 2

All human cells (except reproductive cells) have a standard cell life cycle
G0 = resting/quiescent phase = cell not dividing
G1 = cell growth. Cell checks to see that it is ready for DNA duplication
S = synthesis = DNA replication occurs
G2 = cell continues to grow
M = mitosis = cell division
I = interphase = gap between cell divisions
some cells are continually replenished throughout our lives, others mature and are never replaced

Question 3

Mitosis Phases

Answer 3

Prophase
Prometaphase
Metaphase

Question 4

Prophase

Answer 4

the previously duplicated DNA condenses into discrete sister chromatids (2 conjoined copies of chromosome); 2 centrosomes move to opposite ends of cell

Question 5

Prometaphase

Answer 5

nuclear membrane disappears; the protein “tubulin” polymerizes from centrosomes to form fibres that connect to chromatids

Question 6

Metaphase

Answer 6

centrosomes begin to depolymerize tubulin, pulling chromatids toward poles of cell, causing chromatids to line up in centre of cell

Question 7

Anaphase

Answer 7

sister chromatids split in the middle and are drawn toward poles of cell via continued depolymerization of tubulin; cell elongates via lengthening of “polar microtubules”

Question 8

Telophase

Answer 8

reverses some earlier effects of mitosis

Question 9

type of cancer is determined by

Answer 9

location in a particular body system
microscopic appearance of cells (many cancer cells don’t look like normal cells - histology)
microscopic appearance of cells is result of one or more particular genetic defects in a cell
as a result, cancer is not one disease, but hundreds or thousands

Question 10

Carcinomas

Answer 10

tumours on epithelial tissue such as skin, breast, lung, prostate, stomach, colon and ovary

Question 11

Lymphomas

Answer 11

cancers of the lymphatic system

Question 12

Leukemias

Answer 12

cancers of the blood, bone marrow, and liver

Question 13

Sarcomas

Answer 13

cancers of the connective tissue, bone, or muscle. Rarest of four types

Question 14

METASTASIS

Answer 14

: when a tumour spreads to other sites in the body

Question 15

How do we treat cancer?

Answer 15

surgery
radiation
chemo

Question 16

War on Cancer: Mustine

Answer 16

nitrogen atom of DNA displaces chlorine atom in Mustine. i.e. DNA is “alkylated”
prevents DNA from uncoiling
cell cannot duplicate DNA
cell cannot divide
leads to apoptosis

Question 17

Vinca Alkaloids

Answer 17

excellent chemotherapeutics, they have many of the common side effects of other cancer drugs
risk of infection (loss of white blood cells), anemia (loss of red blood cells), hair loss, abdominal pain, constipation, nausea and vomiting, numbness in hands and feet, fatigue, skin sores, sore mouth, taste changes

Question 18

Zelboraf and Tafinlar

Answer 18

drugs that target mutations in the BRAF gene