cancer treatment

Question 1

growth fraction

Answer 1

-ratio of proliferating cells to resting cells

Question 2

late detection, poor response

Answer 2

-consequences of late detections: METS, less responsive, patient more debilitated by disease
-solid tumors respond poorly- low growth fraction, limited blood supply

Question 3

heterogeneity

Answer 3

-ongoing mutation
-cells differ greatly
-as tumor ages, heterogeneity increase

Question 4

intermittent chemo

Answer 4

-goal: 100% CA cell death with limited normal cell injury
-let normal cells recover, but not too long

Question 5

combination therapy

Answer 5

-multiple drugs are better than 1
-reduces drug resistance
-normal cell injury

Question 6

optimal dosing

Answer 6

-dosing schedules:
-maximize results
-cell cycle specific agents
-keep active drug present in body
-regional drug therapy:
-access to tumors
-high drug concentrations
-decrease systemic toxicity
-examples: intraarterial, intrathecal, intraperitoneal, intravesical

Question 7

usual toxicities

Answer 7

-N/V several days after chemo
-1-2 wks after first round
-decreased WBC, RBC, platelets
-diarrhea
-alopecia
-fatigue
-pale skin

Question 8

other toxicities

Answer 8

-3 major complications: neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, erythrocytopenia
-stomatitis
-reproductive toxicities
-hyperuricemia- caused by cell death/destruction of DNA
-extravasation- vesicant
-carcinogenesis
-organ damage

Question 9

anti cancer agents

Answer 9

-cytotoxic agents:
-alkylating agents
-antimetabolites
-antitumor antibiotics
-mitotic inhibitors
-hormonal agents:
-biologicals:
-targeted drugs