Blood & Lymph / Immunology - Pharmacology Flashcards
Vincristine & Vinblastine
Vinca alkaloid chemotherapeutic agents used in treatment of leukemias and lymphomas (non/Hodgkins)
Binds to tubulin and inhibits microtubule assembly, thereby preventing mitotic spindle formation (M-phase arrest)
Causes neurotoxicity including areflexia and peripheral neuropathy
Paclitaxel
Taxol themotherapeutic agent used in the treatment of ovarian and breast carcinomas
Hyperstabilizes polymerized microtubules in M phase so that mitotic spindle breakdown cannot occur during anaphase
Causes myelosuppression and alopecia
Cyclophosphamide
Alkylating chemotherapeutic agent used in the treatment of solid tumors, leukemia/lymphoma; covalently cross-links between DNA strands
Causes myelosuppression and hemorrhagic cystitis (partially prevented with mesna)
Mesna
Partially prevents hemorrhagic cystitis associated with use of cyclophosphamide in chemotherapy; thiol group of mesna binds to toxic metabolites of cyclophosphamide
Eculizumab
Humanized antibody - inhibits complement-mediated attack of RBCs in PNH
Warfarin
Inhibits vitamin K epoxide reductase, necessary for the gamma carboxylation of clotting factors II, VII, IX, X and proteins C and S; affects extrinsic pathway
Metabolized by CYP2C9; measured by PT
Used for chronic anticoagulation after STEMI and VTE, and for prevention of stroke in atrial fibrillation; not used in pregnancy (teratogenic, crosses placenta)
Adverse effects: Bleeding, teratogenic, skin/tissue necrosis
Overdose can be reversed by FFP or Vitamin K
Methotrexate
Folic acid analog antimetabolite; inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, decreasing DNA and protein synthesis
Used in treatment of some carcinomas (breast, lung, head and neck) & leukemias/lymphomas, as well as in some inflammatory conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease)
Toxicity: Myelosuppression, fatty change in liver, teratogenic
