Antineoplastic Agents (Molecular therapy)

Question 1

Monoclonal Antibodies (MAB) therapy mechanisms

Answer 1

• Antigen-Antibody complex → recruits immunity to kill tumor cells
• Bind to specific tumor antigens and inhibit their function

Question 2

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors (EGFRs) family examples

Answer 2

→ Cetuximab & Panitumumab
→ Trastuzumab (Herceptin)

Question 3

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) family examples

Answer 3

→ Bevacizumab (Avastin)
→ Ramucirumab

Question 4

Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors examples

Answer 4

Erlotinib

Question 5

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors (EGFRs) family targets

Answer 5

Target EGFR-1 (HER-1) and EGFR-2 (HER-2) binds to cancer cells, blocking them, which causes cell death

Question 6

Cetuximab & Panitumumab RoA and target and indications

Answer 6

→ given IV once a week
→ targets EGFR-1 (HER-1)
→ indications: Wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer, Head and Neck cancers

Question 7

Cetuximab & Panitumumab side effects

Answer 7

1) Skin rash and acne, used as a sign that the patient is responding to the treatment
2) Diarrhea, causing electrolytes wasting
3) Infusion reaction, which is the fever and chills associated with these drugs

Question 8

Trastuzumab (Herceptin) RoA and target and indications

Answer 8

→ given IV as infusion
→ targets EGFR-2 (HER-2)
→ indications: Breast cancer, Gastric cancer

Question 9

Trastuzumab (Herceptin) side effects

Answer 9

1) Congestive heart failure → related to ROS production. Never combine it with Anthracyclines

Question 10

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) family targets

Answer 10

VEGF-A ligand released by the tumor to bind to VEGF-2 receptor on the endothelial cells → initiates Angiogenesis

Question 11

Bevacizumab (Avastin) RoA and target and indications

Answer 11

• given IV every 2 weeks
• targets the VEGF-A ligand
• indication: DoC for metastatic colorectal cancer, combined with 5-FU

Question 12

Ramucirumab RoA and target and indications

Answer 12

• given IV every 2 weeks
• targets the VEGF-2 receptor
• indication: DoC for metastatic colorectal cancer, combined with 5-FU

Question 13

Ramucirumab side effects

Answer 13

1) Delayed wound healing
2) Proteinuria
3) GI perforation

Question 14

Erlotinib RoA and metabolism and indications

Answer 14

• given orally
• metabolized by CYT P450 3A4 in the liver
• indications: Chemotherapy-resistant NSCLC (Non-Small-Cell-Lung-Carcinoma)

Question 15

Erlotinib side effects

Answer 15

Reversible:
NVD / Skin rash and acne / Ocular disorders

Fatal & Rare:
Interstitial lung disease