Anti Cancer Drugs Flashcards
___ cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death regardless of gender
lung
three factors that can cause cancer
genetics, environment, diet
there is an increased incidence in ___ cancer
colon
drugs that act during any phase of the cell cycle
cell cycle-nonspecific (CCNS)
drugs exert their influence during a specific phase of the cell cycle and are most effective against rapidly growing cancer cells
cell cycle-specific (CCS)
___ and ___ are two factors that play a major role in how the cancer cells respond to anticancer drugs
growth fraction and doubling time
the percent of actively dividing cells, decreases as the tumor enlarges, and doubling time increases
growth fraction
the time it takes for a tumor to double in size
doubling time
anticancer drugs are more effective against neoplastic cells that have a high ___
growth fraction
treated with surgery first, followed by chemo to eliminate any residual cancer cells that may remain in the body
adjuvant therapy
___ may be given first to help shrink a large tumor, so that it can be surgically removed
neoadjuvant chemotherapy
used to relieve symptoms associated with advanced disease, can improve quality of life
palliative chemotherapy
chemo administration is guided by specific ___ based on the results of controlled research studies.
protocols
the length of treatment is determined by the type and extent of the ___, the type of ___ given, expected ___ of the drugs, and the amount of time that normal cells need to ___.
malignancy, chemo, side effects, recover
___ drug therapy is not usually used to treat cancer because combination therapy with two or more anticancer drugs has demonstrated more effective tumoricidal activity
single-agent
to maximize cell death, ___ and ___ drugs are often combined to increase synergistic effects
CCNS and CCS
a combination of antineoplastic drugs has the advantage of ____ while increasing ____
decreasing drug resistance while increasing cancer cell destruction
____ drugs exert adverse effects on rapidly growing normal cells, such as skin and hair
also affect cells in the GI tract, mucus membranes, bone marrow, and reproductive system
anticancer
____ can occur when there is a significant decrease in the bone marrow activity that results in decreased WBCs, platelets, and RBCs
myelosuppression
adverse effects to anticancer drugs
1) anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia
2) anorexia, N/V/D, stomatitis
3) alopecia, fatigue, and infertility
pg 407 and 408
damage to cell’s DNA by cross-linkage of DNA strands, abnormal base pairing, or DNA strand breaks, thus preventing the reproduction of cancer cells.
belong to the CCNS category
alkylating drugs
an alkylating drug, is an analogue of nitrogen mustard
is a severe vesicant that causes tissue necrosis if it infiltrates into the tissues
cyclophosphamide (PO, IV; take w/ food)
2-3L of water/day
monitor blood count and BUN and creatinine
monitor IV site, I&O, and nutritional status
the pt should be well hydrated while taking cyclophosphamide to prevent ___
hemorrhagic cystitis (bleeding due to severe bladder inflammation)
resemble natural substances, building blocks that not only synthesize but also recycle and break down organic compounds used by the body
interfere with various substances needed for normal cell function
antimetabolites (e.g. 5-fluorouracil, floxuridine)
antimetabolites are classified according to the substances with which they interfere
a folate antimetabolite; affects cells that have high metabolic rates, such as neoplasms, hair follicles, endothelium, cells of the GI tract, fetal cells, and bone marrow
methotrexate
used to treat leukemias and cancers of the GI tract, head and neck, breast, and ovaries
monitor for bleeding and infection, CBC and electrolytes
are similar to natural antibiotics; however, they do not treat infections; instead, they interfere with DNA replication and RNA transcription of cancer cells (CCNS)
antitumor antibiotics
-icin
avoid direct skin contact, cardiotoxic keep on heart monitor
(bleomycin CCS)
derived from plants and are cell cycle specific; they block cell division at the M phase of the cell cycle (block cell division)
plant alkaloids (vincristine)
used w/ another therapy
adverse reactions to plant alkaloids
neurotoxicity: loss of deep tendon reflexes, muscle weakness, paresthesia
the fatty coating helps the chemotherapy drug remain in the system longer and increases the duration of therapeutic effects; also decrease side effects
liposomal chemotherapy
hormones and hormonal agonists and antagonists
1) corticosteroids
2) sex hormones
3) antiandrogens
4) selective estrogen receptor modulators
5) luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists
6) aromatase inhibitors
corticosteroids ___ blood sugar
increase
drugs that are used to slow the growth of hormone-dependent tumors (e.g. prostate and breast cancer)
sex hormones
block the effects of testosterone and estrogen, respectively, thereby slowing or shrinking cancers
antiandrogens
primarily used for breast cancer in both men and women
selective estrogen receptor modulators (tamoxifen)
block the peripheral conversion of androgens to estrogens, thus suppressing the postmenopausal synthesis of estrogen and slowing tumor growth
aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole)
which vaccine can be used to prevent cancer
HPV (cervical cancer and genital warts)
