Cancer 101

Question 1

What are the therapeutic modalities for cancer?

Answer 1

Surgery, radiotherapy, anticancer drugs.

Question 2

What are the three goals of cancer therapy?

Answer 2

Cure, control, and palliation.

Question 3

How are anticancer drugs classified?

Answer 3

1. Cytotoxic (Conventional chemotherapy), 2. Hormonal therapy, 3. Targeted therapy.

Question 4

What is the mechanism of action of cytotoxic chemotherapy?

Answer 4

Inhibition of RNA and DNA synthesis or cell division.

Question 5

What are examples of alkylating agents?

Answer 5

Cyclophosphamide, melphalan, chlorambucil, cisplatin, carboplatin.

Question 6

What is the mechanism of action of alkylating agents?

Answer 6

Form covalent bonds with DNA, leading to cross-linking between DNA strands and inhibition of DNA synthesis.

Question 7

What are the subclasses of antimetabolites?

Answer 7

1. Anti-folate (e.g., methotrexate), 2. Pyrimidine analogs (e.g., 5-FU), 3. Purine analogs (e.g., 6-mercaptopurine).

Question 8

What is the mechanism of action of methotrexate?

Answer 8

Inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, leading to depletion of tetrahydrofolate and inhibition of DNA and RNA synthesis.

Question 9

What is the mechanism of action of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)?

Answer 9

Converted to nucleotide form, inhibits thymidine synthesis, and incorporates false nucleotides into DNA/RNA.

Question 10

What are examples of natural products used as anticancer drugs?

Answer 10

Vinca alkaloids (vincristine), taxanes (paclitaxel), antibiotics (doxorubicin, bleomycin).

Question 11

What is the mechanism of action of vinca alkaloids?

Answer 11

Inhibit tubulin polymerization, disrupting microtubule assembly and arresting mitosis.

Question 12

What is the mechanism of action of anthracyclines like doxorubicin?

Answer 12

Generate free radicals, inhibit topoisomerase II, intercalate into DNA, causing strand breaks.

Question 13

What are the two main types of targeted therapy?

Answer 13

1. Monoclonal antibodies, 2. Small molecule inhibitors.

Question 14

What is the mechanism of action of trastuzumab?

Answer 14

Binds to HER-2 receptors, inhibiting growth signals in HER-2 positive breast cancer.

Question 15

What is the mechanism of action of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., erlotinib)?

Answer 15

Inhibit EGFR tyrosine kinase, preventing downstream signaling involved in tumor growth.

Question 16

What cancers are treated with hormonal therapy?

Answer 16

Hormone-sensitive cancers, such as breast and prostate cancers.

Question 17

What are examples of hormone receptor antagonists?

Answer 17

Tamoxifen (SERM), flutamide (androgen receptor antagonist).

Question 18

What are examples of aromatase inhibitors?

Answer 18

Anastrozole, letrozole, exemestane.

Question 19

What are the common side effects of cytotoxic anticancer drugs?

Answer 19

Bone marrow suppression, mucositis, alopecia, nausea, vomiting, infertility, teratogenicity.

Question 20

What is the organ toxicity associated with cisplatin?

Answer 20

Nephrotoxicity.

Question 21

What is the organ toxicity associated with bleomycin?

Answer 21

Pulmonary fibrosis.

Question 22

What are the side effects of anthracyclines (e.g., doxorubicin)?

Answer 22

Cardiotoxicity (arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy).

Question 23

What are vesicant drugs?

Answer 23

IV drugs that cause tissue damage when they extravasate, e.g., anthracyclines, vinca alkaloids.

Question 24

What are the two types of drug resistance in cancer therapy?

Answer 24

1. Primary resistance (absence of response on first exposure), 2. Acquired resistance (develops after initial response).

Question 25

What are examples of drug administration routes for chemotherapy?

Answer 25

IV, IM, SC, oral, topical, regional (intrathecal, intracavitary).

Question 26

Which anticancer drugs are administered intrathecally?

Answer 26

Methotrexate, cytarabine.