Cancer pathology

Question 1

what is chemotherapy

Answer 1

aims to force cells into apoptosis by targeting DNA, RNA and proteins. non specific to cancer cells so all rapidly dividing cells are affected

Question 2

how can chemotherapy be delivered

Answer 2

IV and oral preparations, combination chemo increases efficacy

Question 3

3 types of chemotherapy

Answer 3

alkylating agents and platinum drugs, antimetabolites, organic drugs

Question 4

types of organic drugs

Answer 4

vinca alkaloids, taxanes, Anthracyclines

Question 5

side effects of chemotherapy

Answer 5

nausea, diarrhoea, alopecia, cystitis, pulmonary fibrosis etc

Question 6

types of personalised system therapies

Answer 6

hormonal therapies, targeted therapies, immunotherapy

Question 7

example of cancer that hormones play a role in

Answer 7

breast cancer- oestrogen promotes cell proliferation within breast tissue so prolonged exposure to oestrogen increases risk.

Question 8

how is breast cancer treated

Answer 8

anti oestrogen drugs - tamoxifen or aromatise inhibitor

Question 9

examples of targeted therapy

Answer 9

epidermal growth factor receptor signalling pathway targeting, CDK inhibitors

Question 10

type of EGF receptor inhibitor

Answer 10

tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Question 11

immune checkpoint inhibitors

Answer 11

removal of brakes of the immune system that are put on by immune checkpoint, allowing increased T cell activity

Question 12

type of immune checkpoint inhibitor

Answer 12

pembrolizumab- binds to PD1 receptor and blocks its interaction with PDL1 and helps restore immune response

Question 13

side effects of immunotherapy

Answer 13

every itis pretty much- colitis most common

Question 14

prevention therapeutic options

Answer 14

change in diet, environment, screening, genetics, chemo prevention

Question 15

types of local or regional treatment

Answer 15

surgery, radiotherapy

Question 16

types of systemic treatment

Answer 16

hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, CAR T cell therapy

Question 17

scans for cancer

Answer 17

CT, MRI, USS, PET

Question 18

5 Rs of radiobiology

Answer 18

radiosensitivity, repair, repopulation, reoxygenation, reassortment

Question 19

neoadjuvant

Answer 19

before definitive treatment

Question 20

adjuvant

Answer 20

will increase chances of cure

Question 21

palliative

Answer 21

treatment that makes u comfortable when u cannot be cured 50% of chemotherapy

Question 22

non specific immune therapies

Answer 22

innate (macrophages and NK cells), programmed cell death (PD1) (used in lung cancer and melanoma)

Question 23

specific immune therapies

Answer 23

monoclonal antibodies, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells

Question 24

CAR T cells

Answer 24

artificial T cell receptors using retroviral vectors to give a specific cell killing function directed against cancer cells