Antimitotics, Alkylators, Platinums Flashcards
Which drugs make up the vinca alkaloids?
- vincristine
- vinblastine
- vinorelbine
What are the major differences btw. the vinca alkaloids?
- Differ in their tubulin-binding affinities: VCR > VBL > VRL
- AEs: VCR is less myelosuppressive than VBL. VCR is more likely to cause peripheral neuropathy or GI effects such as ileus.
- VCR and VBL: decrease the shortening rate and increase the time microtubules spend in an attenuated state to a much greater extent
- VCR and VBL= natural, VRL= synthetic
- VCR- possesses formyl grp, VBL= possesses methyl grp
Describe the microtubule structure.
Composed of tubulin (heterodimer= alpha and beta)
- assemble into linear protofilaments (13 in each MT)
- arrange into a helix with one turn
What is meant by microtubule treadmilling?
It occurs when one end of a filament grows in length while the other end shrinks resulting in a section of filament seemingly “moving” across a stratum or the cytosol.
- Two ends (treadmilling)
minus= alpha tubulin exposed= net shortening (slow assembly)
plus= beta tubulin exposed= net elongation (fast assembly)
Which chemotherapeutic drugs have the following MOA?
Bind rapidly and reversibly to tubulin causing inhibition of microtubule assembly
vinca alkaloids
What phase of the cell cycle do vincas block at?
Where does most damage occur and in which phase do the cells die?
metaphase/anaphase in mitosis
Most damage occurs in S phase and cells die in M phase
At higher concentrations, what effects do the vincas have on the microtubules?
What about at lower concentrations?
Higher concentrations= binds along side of MTs leading to disintegration
Lower concentrations= inhibits assembly of MT
T/F: Vinca alkaloids are considered radiosensitizers. Why?
True: due to the ability to block cell cycle in G2/M phase
T/F: Vinca alkaloids are angiogenesis inhibitors. Why?
True: they block endothelial cell proliferation, chemotaxis, and spreading of fibronectin
Choose the correct answers from below that describe other effects of MOA that vincas have beyond what you know for their cytotoxic effects on cancer.
- decreased intracellular transport of AA
- disrupt interphase MTs and DNA synthesis in non-diving cells
- inhibit neutrophils, proliferation of lymphs and fibroblasts
- inhibit DNA/RNA/protein synthesis
- Disrupt cell membrane integrity
- induces expression of TNA-alpha
- Inhibit glycolysis
- Alter intracellular movement of organelles
- inhibits secretory functions
- Maintain structural integrity of platelets
- decreased intracellular transport of AA
- inhibit DNA/RNA/protein synthesis
- Disrupt cell membrane integrity
- Inhibit glycolysis
- Alter intracellular movement of organelles
- Maintain structural integrity of platelets (VCR used for ITP)
What are the major mechanisms or resistance to the vincas?
- all effected by MDR (Pgp/MDR1)
- Alterations in apoptotic pathway
- Alterations in alpha and beta subunits of tubulin (increases MT stability)
- Increased expression of microtubule associated proteins (promote MT assembly and hyperstability)
What is the major dose limiting toxicity for the vinca alkaloids?
VCR- neurotoxicity
VBL, VRL- myelosuppression
What is the major DLT for VCR besides myelosupression?
Neurotoxicity: mixed sensory and motor peripheral neuropathy
Which of the vincas has been linked to SIADH?
vincristine
Which of the vincas is most known to cause ileus in veterinary patients?
vincristine
What is the form of metabolism and also excretion for the vincas?
extensive hepatic metabolism and biliary/fecal excretion
What is the strategy for a vinca extravasation?
- Aspirate drug out
- Warm compress
- Can inject warm saline for dilution
- Can inject hyaluronidase- breaks down hyaluronic acid in soft tissue, allowing for dispersion of the extravasated drug
What is the drug interaction that occurs with VCR and Elspar?
Elspar reduces hepatic clearance of VCR
What is the drug interaction that occurs with vincas and methotrexate?
Vincas block efflux of methotrexate leading to increased intracellular accumulation
What is the reaction of cytochrome p450 inhibitors and vincas?
they increase toxicity of vinca alkaloids
What are the drugs that make up the taxanes?
- Pacilitaxel
2. Docetaxel
Which chemotherapeutic drugs have the following MOA?
- bind to polymerized tubulin along the length of the MT at the N-terminal beta subunit
- inhibit microtubular disassembly, which then prevents the normal growth and breakdown of microtubules that is required for cell division
taxanes
How does the MOA of vincas and taxanes differ?
taxanes: promote elongation which stabilizes the mitotic tubule against disassembly and enhances polymerization; inhibits dynamic reorganization of MT network
vincas: work by the disruption of protein-protein interactions, most specifically by disrupting the interaction between α- and β-tubulin; prevents assembly
Describe the difference in where the vincas and the taxanes bind to the MT?
vincas: bind to the ends of microtubules
taxanes: N-terminal β-subunit; bind to the interior surface
At higher concentrations, what effects do the taxanes have on the microtubules?
What about at lower concentrations?
Higher: inhibit MT dissasembly
(induces a modest increase in MT length at the plus ends)
Lower: inhibit dynamic instability and treadmilling
(reduces the rate and extent of MT shortening at their plus ends)
What phase of the cell cycle do taxanes block at?
Which of the phases of the cell cycle is the most specific?
metaphase/anaphase of mitosis
Mainly M phase, but also blocks G0/G1 phase
MT disruption by the taxanes will lead to induction of which cell cycle regulators leading to a downstream affect of cell disregulation and therefore apoptosis?
p53 and inhibitors of CDKs which leads to cell cycle arrest in G2/M and then apoptosis
T/F: The taxanes are considered radiosensitizers?
True
Choose from below other effects of MOA that taxanes have beyond what you know for their cytotoxic effects on cancer.
- decreased intracellular transport of AA
- disrupt interphase MTs and DNA synthesis in non-diving cells
- inhibit neutrophils, proliferation of lymphs and fibroblasts
- inhibit DNA/RNA/protein synthesis
- Disrupt cell membrane integrity
- induces expression of TNA-alpha
- Inhibit glycolysis
- Alter intracellular movement of organelles
- inhibits secretory functions
- Maintain structural integrity of platelets
- disrupt interphase MTs and DNA synthesis in non-diving cells
- inhibit neutrophils, proliferation of lymphs and fibroblasts
- induces expression of TNA-alpha
- inhibits secretory functions
T/F: Unlike the vincas, taxanes do not have the ability to disrupt endothelial cells and inhibit angiogenesis.
False
What is the metabolism and excretion of the taxanes?
metabolized by cytochrome p450 in the liver and excreted in the bile/feces
What are the mechanisms of resistance of the taxanes?
- MDR
- alteration in tubulin binding sites
- decreased apoptosis due to altered cell signaling
Why is the oral bioavailability of taxanes poor?
- high Pgp on enterocytes
2. intestinal cytochrome p450 enzymes
Which drug can be administered with taxanes in order to alter the Pgp/cytochrome p450
cyclosporine