Cancer drugs Flashcards
This class of cancer drug is cell-cycle non-specific and substitutes and alkyl group for a hydrogen atom which results in interference of DNA replication and RNA transcription:
alkylating agents
An example of an alkylating agent is:
cisplatin
T or F: A patient taking cisplatin will liekly experience mucositis and esophagitis.
FALSE
Patients taking this drug commonly experience severe nausea and vomiting, as well as a metallic aftertaste in their mouths
cisplatin
Antitumor antibiotics mechanism of action is:
inhibiting cell division by binding to DNA and interfering with RNA transcription
An example of an antitumor antibiotic is:
doxorubicin
A person taking doxorubicin is not likely to experience:
renal or hepatic toxicity
Patients that complain of an abnormal dryness of the mouth (xerostomia) are most likely taking:
doxurubicin
Drugs that interfere with nucleic acid synthesis by substituting drug for purines or pyrimidines necessary for normal cellular function are:
Antimetabolites
A patient taking an antimetabolite drug who is having difficulty with vitamin B12, fat and D-xylose absorption, has renal and hepatic toxicity, and change in taste acuity is taking:
methotrexate
When a patient is taking __________________ they should avoid pyridoxine supplementation
fluorouracil
A patient taking an antimetabolite drug and is experiencing moderate vomiting, anorexia, severe mucositis and esophagitis, diarrhea, and hepatic toxicity. Clinical tests reveal no sign of renal toxicity. The drug is:
fluorouracil
Hormones/hormone modifier drugs work by:
altering cellular metabolism by changing body hormonal milieu for unfavorable tumor growth
List one hormone used for treating cancer:
glucocorticoids
A person taking glucocorticoids may experience mild nausea and vomiting T or F:
TRUE
hyperpagia, sodium and fluid retention, gastrointestinal upset, glucose intolerance, K+ wasting, osteoporosis, and negative nitrogen balance are all sides effects of:
glucocorticoids
This class of cancer drug works by inhibiting mitotic spindle formation and blocking mitosis:
Plant alkaloids
Liat an example of a plant alkaloid drug:
vincristine
A person experiencing mild vomiting, anorexia, mucositis and esophagitis, alternating constipation and diarrhea, and hepatic toxicity is taking:
vincristine
What is one hallmark side effect of vincristine?
hyponatremia (abnormally low level of sodium in the blood)
Interferon is a biologic response modifier that works by:
modifying host biologic responses to tumor
A noticible weight change (increase or decrease)can be associated with which drug?
interferon
A person taking interferon is NOT likely to experience:
mucositis & esophagitis and renal toxicity
T or F: A patient taking interferon will most likely experience severe vomiting.
FALSE
Renal tubular necrosis is associated with taking:
cisplatin
Methotexate can have what effect on the liver?
It can cause hepatic fibrosis
Fluid retention is a common side effect for:
glucocorticoids
Both alkylating agents and antitumor antibiotics interfere with DNA and RNA transcription. What is the difference between the two?
alkylating agents work by substituting an alkyl group for a hydrogen atom which interfers with DNA replication, while antitumor antibiotics bind to DNA and inhibit cell division
A side effect of Cisplatin may be the decrease of which 3 minerals?
Serum magnesium, potassium, and zinc
What are the most common indications for use for cisplatin?
Metastatic testicular, metastatic ovarian, and advanced bladder cancer
What are the most common indications for use for doxorubicin?
ALL and AML leukemias, solid tumors
What are the most common indications for use for methotrexate?
chemotherapy, trophoblastic tumors
What are the most common indications for use for fluorouracil?
colorectal and breast cancers
What are the most common indications for use for glucocorticoid steroids?
lymphomas and leukemias
What are the most common indications for use for vincristine?
ALL leukemia, hodgkin lymphoma, non-hodgkin lymphoma, solid tumors
What are the most common indications for use for interferon?
condyloma, leukemia, sarcoma, melanoma, lymphoma
