Cancer Drugs

Question 1

Alkylating Agent: Nitrogen Mustard

Answer 1

Cyclophosphamide
A prodrug, needs to be metabolised by CYP450s
Lymphoma, myeloma, and leukaemia usage
Also used as an immunosuppressant as it has a profound effect on lymphocytes
SEs = N+V, BM depression

Question 2

Alkylating Agent: Platinums

Answer 2

Cisplatin/Carboplatin:
Water soluble
Testicular cancer usage
SEs= seriously nephrotoxic +N+V.

Question 3

Antimetabolite

Answer 3

Methotrexate
Folate Antagonist
Purine nucleotide synthesis inhibitor (dihydrofolate reductase).
Breast cancer, leukaemia, and lymphoma usage
Also used as an immunosuppressant.
SEs= BM suppression and GI epithelial destruction.
(Fluorouracil is the pyrimidine analogue)

Question 4

Cytotoxic Antibiotic: Anthracylcic

Answer 4

Doxorubicin
Binds to DNA, stops DNA synthesis, Topoisomerase inhibitor and increases ROS
Breast and bladder cancer usage
SEs= extravasation at injection site and cardiotoxicity

Question 5

Plant Derivative: Vinca alkaloid

Answer 5

Vincristine
Inhibits microtubule formation
AML and ALL usage
SEs= neurotoxic

Question 6

Plant Derivative: Taxane

Answer 6

Paclitaxel
Inhibits microtubule disassembly
Breast and lung cancer usage
SEs= neurotoxic

Question 7

Hormone Therapy: Anti-Oestrogen

Answer 7

Tamoxifen
Competitive inhibitor of oestrogen
Breast cancer usage 
SEs= menopausal effects. 
Aromatase inhibitors work in a similar way

Question 8

Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor

Answer 8

Vemurafenib
BRAF inhibitor, as BRAF is downstream from EGFR pathway and is auto-activated in cancer.
Metastatic melanoma usage
SEs= arthralgia, fatigue, photosensitive skin reactions and cutaneous SCC/keratoacanthomas.

Question 9

Monoclonal Antibody: HER2 inhibitor

Answer 9

Trastuzumab (Herceptin
Inhibits HER2 a tyrosine kinase receptor. Induces the immune system and decreases the cell cycle
Some breast cancer usage
SEs= hypotension and chills/fever.

Question 10

Monoclonal Antibody: Anti-CLA4

Answer 10

Ipilimumab
Decreases T cell inhibition and increases T cell activation. 
Metastatic melanoma usage 
SEs= GI disturbances common. 
(Also get anti-PD1 which is similar)