7: Cytotoxic drugs (chemotherapy) Flashcards
What are cytotoxic drugs?
Drugs which kill cells
i.e chemotherapy
Which types of haematological malignancy can chemotherapy be used to treat?
AML
ALL
Lymphoma
Myeloproliferative disease
Myeloma
Which process, undergone by all cells, do most cytotoxic drugs target?
Cell cycle
Which DMARD is used to treat some cancers and interferes with folate metabolism?
Methotrexate
What is a specific side effect of anthracycline chemotherapy?
Cardiomyopathy
What are immediate side effects of chemotherapy?
Bone marrow failure
GI symptoms due to damage re: gut mucosa
Hair loss
Is alopecia caused by chemotherapy permanent or temporary?
Temporary
What is a side effect specific to vinca alkaloid chemotherapy drugs?
Neuropathy
What is a side effect specific to platinum chemotherapy drugs?
Nephropathy
Chemotherapy drugs are often used in ___.
combination
Chemotherapy can be intensified to the point that you’re essentially wiping out a patient’s blood cell population.
How do you overcome this problem?
Stem cell transplant
A stem cell transplant can come from the patient themselves (___) or a matched donor (____).
patient themselves - autologous
matchde donor - allogenic
Apart from replacing blood cells lost to chemotherapy, how does a stem cell transplant affect the growth of cancer?
Graft vs disease effect
Antibodies produced towards malignant cells
Which chromosomal abnormality is chronic myeloid leukaemia associated with?
Philadelphia chromosome
The Phildelphia chromosome mutation is associated with which malignancy?
Chronic myeloid leukaemia
