Cancer Chemotherapy Pharmacology Flashcards
Define cancer
uncontrolled growth and spread within the body of abnormal forms of body’s own cells
List some common causes of cell mutations that can lead to tumours
chemicals, viruses, radiation, genetics
Why is cancer a disease of aging?
more accumulation of mutations as people age results in increased chance of out of control cells
Compare the proto-oncogene and oncogene
proto-oncogene is potentially cancer causing but is not activated, mutation turns it into oncogene which supports constant cell proliferation -> cancer
What cells do tumours contain?
tumour cells, immune cells and vascular cells
list the different types of cancer treatment
surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, precision therapy
What genes does uncontrolled proliferation involve?
oncogenes and ineffective tumour suppressors
define cytotoxic anti-cancer drug class
toxic to cells, effects DNA, non-specifically kills dividing cells
define hormonal anti-cancer drug class
acts as physiological agonist, antagonists or hormone synthesis inhibitors to disrupt hormone dependant tumour growth, non-cytotoxic
List some common cytotoxic drug types
alkylating agents, antimetabolites, cytotoxic antibiotics, tubulin binding drugs
List some common non-cytotoxic drugs
antibodies, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, hormonal anti-cancer drugs
Explain the MOA of antimetabolites
antimetabolites block metabolic pathways involved in DNA/RNA synthesis so tumour can’t build new DNA/cells
Explain the MOA of cytotoxic antibiotics
cytotoxic ABs prevent cell division via multiple effects on DNA/RNA synthesis, bind to DNA, inhibit topoisomerase enzyme
Explain the MOA of tubulin binding drugs
tubulin binding drugs interfere with microtubule function which is essential for cell division and transport, they inhibit spindle formation
Explain the MOA of antibodies
inhibit signalling of GF or GF receptors, bind to agonist/receptors to increase receptor internalisation = termination of signalling and targeting for destruction
Explain the MOA of tyrosine kinase inhibitors
inhibit protein kinases involved in GF receptor signalling reducing growth, spread and division
Explain the MOA of hormonal anti-cancer drugs
suppress hormone synthesis/secretion and antagonise hormone action in hormone dependent tumours
List the common symptoms of cytotoxic drugs
bone marrow toxicity, GIT lining damage, nausea, vomiting, alopecia, neurotoxicity, numbness/tingling
List some problems that can occur during pharmacological cancer treatment
resistance due to kinetic and dynamic changes
limited efficacy as drugs need to be matched to patient and specific cancer
SEs
increased chance of infection if bone marrow toxicity occurs
Explain the MOA of alkylating agents
form intra-strand covalent bonds in DNA impeding transcription and replication leading to apoptosis
