Cancer therapy (9.2)

Question 1

Outline the key approaches used in cancer therapy

4 main categories

Answer 1

1. Surgery
2. Chemotherapy
3. Radiotherapy
4. Other: Immunomodulation, biological, targeted therapies

Question 2

Chemotherapy

Description, uses, resistance,

Answer 2

Mechanism: Use of one or more anti-cancer drugs to induce malignant cell death

Generally, use of multiple drugs is seen to allow different phases of the cell cycle to be targeted (increasing cytotoxic effects) whilst also decreasing the emergence of resistance.

Uses: Neoadjuvant (before treatment), adjuvant (following treatment to prevent reoccurence), palliative

Resistance:

• Aging cancer cells are more resistant: Less active division seen
• Changes in drug transport: Efflux systems
• Target increased in number or modified
• Inactivation of chemotherapeutic drugs

Adverse effects: