Cancer Pharm: Antimetabolites Flashcards
What is the MOA of Methotrexate?
- Inhibits synthesis of THF
- Interferes w/ formation of DNA, RNA, and key cellular proteins
Which enzyme is responsible for activating and increasing the selectivity of the antifolates: methotrexate, pemetrexed, and pralatrexate?
Folyl polyglutamate synthase (FPGS) catalyzes formation of intracellular metabolites which are selectively retained in cancer cells
What are 4 mechanisms by which resistance to Methotrexate may develop?↓
- ↓ drug transport via the reduced folate carrier or folate receptor protein
- ↓ formation of cytotoxic methotrexate polyglutamines
- ↑ levels of the target enzyme DHFR thru gene amplification, etc.
- Altered DHFR protein with reduced affinity for methotrexate
What are 4 drug-drug interactions that you must be aware of when giving Methotrexate?
Aspirin, NSAIDs, penicillin, and cephalosporinsallinhibititsrenal excretion—> ↑toxicity
Which drug is sometimes used in combo with high-dose methotrexate therapy to rescue normal cells from undue toxicity?
Reduced folate leucovorin; reverses action of methotrexate
Which antifolate drug has activity during the S-phase?
Pemetrexed
What is the MOA of the antifolate, Pemetrexed?
- Inhibition of thymidylate synthase (TS)
- Targets and inhibits DHFR and enzymes involved in de novo purine nucleotide biosynthesis
What are some AE’s associated with the antifolate, Pemetrexed; which is unique to this drug?
- Hand-foot syndrome* = painful erythema and swelling of hands and feet
- Myelosuppression
- Skin rash + Mucositis
- Diarrhea + Fatigue
Vitamin supplementation with what can significantly reduce toxicities associated with Pemetrexed and Pralatrexate?
Folic acid and Vitamin B12
What are the 3 MOA’s of the antifolate, Pralatrexate?
- Inhibits DHFR
- Inhibits enzymes involved in de novo purine nucleotide biosynthesis
- Inhibits thymidylate synthase (TS)
The antifolate, Pralatrexate has been approved for the tx of what?
Relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma
What are the 3 active metabolites of 5-FU and what is the MOA of each?
- FdUMP —> inhibition of DNA synthesis thru “thymineless death”
- FUTP –> incorporated in RNA; interferes w/ RNA processing and mRNA translation
- FdUTP –> incorporated into DNA resulting in inhibition of DNA synthesis
What are 4 AE’s of the antimetabolite, 5-FU; which is unique?
- GI toxicity (diarrhea/mucositis) = unique
- Myelosuppression
- Skin toxicity (hand-foot syndrome) = unique
- Neurotoxicity
5-FU is the most widely used drug in the tx of which cancer?
Colorectal cancer
What is special about the antimetaboite, Capecitabine?
A prodrug that is metabolized to 5-FU by thymidine phosphorylase (which has higher expression in some solid tumors - breast and colorectal)
2 main AE’s of the antimetabolite, Capecitabine?
Main = diarrhea, hand-foot syndrome