Anti Cancer Drugs Flashcards
Non modifiable risk factors of cancer
Genetics
Age: eg prostate Ca
Sex related.
Race.
Modifiable risk factors or cancer
Environmental Exposure
Chemical carcinogen
Infections
Principle of Cancer Chemotherapy
-Ca chemo cause petal cytotoxic events
- attack is directed at metab sites essential for replication
-lack of specificity of current anti-cancer drugs
- proliferating cells are more susceptible to chemo than non proliferating
-Recommended in disseminated cases or minor metastases following surgery/radiation
-destruction of cells follow first order kinetics: given dose destroys constant fraction of cells
-in most cases combination therapy is more effective
Advantages of combination therapy of anti cancer drugs
Maximal effect within range of tolerable toxicity
Improve effectiveness against broader spectrum
Delay/reduce development of resistance
The mutagenic ability of cancer is worse when what particular anti cancer agent is used
Alkylating agents
Anti cancer drugs are classified into
Cell cycle specific agents
Cell cycle non specific agents
Cell cycle specific agents are divided into
Antimetabolites: S-phase eg methotrexate
Topoisomerase II inhibitors : G1 to S
Taxanes: M phase
Vinca alkaloids: M phase
Anti microtubule inhibitors: M phase
Anti Tumor antibiotics: G2 to Mphase eg bleomycin
Cell cycle non specific agents
Alkylating agents; bulsafan, camestine, cyclophosphamide
Anti tumor antibiotics
Topoisomerase I inhibitors
Platinum analogues
Antracyclins
AntiMetabolites are further classified into
Antifolates: Methrotrexate
Fluoropyrimidines: 5-fluorouracil, capacitabine
Deoxycytidine analogues: Cytarabine
Purine antagonists: Mecaptopurine, 6-thioguanine
What is the MOA of Methotrexate
Binds at the active site of dihydrofolate reductase thereby inhibiting synthesis of tetrahydrofolate and consequently thymidilate
Methotrexate is converted to ………… upon which it’s cytotoxic effects rests
Polyglutamate metabolite
A common side effects of anti folate’s
Myelosupression
What is used to reverse severe adverse effects in patients with methotrexate overdose
Leucovorin
What anti folate is used to treat mesothelioma and non-small cell lung cancer
Pemetrexate
Examples of antifolates used as anti cancer drugs
Methotrexate
Pemetraxate
Pralatrexate
When 5-fluorouracil is activated it gives three metabolites namely;
FdUMP: 5 -fluoro- 2’-deoxyuridine- 5’ monophosphate
FUTP
FdUTP
Function/MOA of FdUMP
Formation of complex with thymidilate synthase reduces production of folate