Antineoplastic & Immunomodulatory Drugs Flashcards
What are neoplasms?
Cancer cells that can spread from the site of origin to other areas of the body
Where does rapid cell division occur in the body?
GI tract, bone marrow, reproductive organs and hair follicles
What are the 5 phases of the cell cycle?
G1, S, G2, M, G0
Explain the 5 phases of the cell cycle: G1, S, G2, M, G0
G1: enzymes needed for DNA synthesis are produced S: DNA synthesis and replication G2: RNA and protein synthesis M: mitosis phase G0: resting phase
All neoplastic drugs are:
cytotoxic and interfere with normal and abnormal cells
What is growth fraction?
Percentage of cancer cells that are actively dividing
What is doubling time?
Time required for number of cancer cells to double
What are CCNS (Cell Cycle Nonspecific) Drugs do?
Effective on all phases of the cell cycle
What do Alkylating agents (which are CCNS) do?
Cross link DNA to inhibit replication
Name 1 CCNS drug
Procarbazine
What do antitumor antibiotics do?
Inhibit DNA, RNA and protein synthesis
What do steroid drugs do?
Have an anti-inflammatory effect, suppress bone marrow cells, reduce edema and suppress tumor growth. More effective at the S&M phase.
Name an example of a steroid drug
Prednisone
Antimetabolites (which are CCS) do what?
Affect the S phase involving DNA synthesis
Name an antimetabolite and immunosuppresive drug
Azathioprine, not recommended for cats or pregnant animals
What do alkaloids (which are CCS) do?
Stop cancer cell division, are chemicals derived from plants. Works on M phase.
Name 3 alkaloid drugs
Vincristine, Vinblastine, Vinorelbine (Vin(e)=alkaloid plant drugs)
What is calculation of antineoplastic drug doses based on?
Body surface area in square meters
What are some tips for handling antineoplastic drugs?
Wear latex gloves, wipe all external surfaces and bottles with 70% alcohol. Wear goggles and/or filtration mask and wash hands. Maintain record of all exposures.
What is paraneoplastic syndrome?
Tumor associated changes in an animal’s body structure and/or function that occur distant to the tumor. Often the first sign of malignancy.
Name 2 clinical examples of paraneoplastic syndrome
Alopecia (feline pancreatic carcinoma) and peripheral neuropathy (insulinoma)
Name 3 BRM (biological response modifiers)
Interleukins, Acemannan, Monoclonal antibodies
What do interleukins do?
Promote the replication of antigen-specific T cells
What does Acemannan do?
potent stimulator of macrophage activity, is an immune polysaccharide used in tx of fibrosarcomas and MCT
What do monoclonal antibodies do?
Cytotoxic effect on tumor cells and are used in conjunction with other antineoplastic drugs
Name 2 immunosuppressive drugs
Cyclosporine and Azathioprine
What does cyclosporine do? Adverse effects?
Inhibits growth of T-lymphocytes, used to manage KCS and immune mediated skin disorders. Adverse effects are vomiting and nephrotoxicity.
What does Azathioprine do?
affects cells in the S phase, inhibits T and B lymphocytes
Name an enzyme for cancer pain
L-asparaginase
