Chapter 13.1

Question 1

1. State the mechanism of action for the following categories of anti-cancer drugs directly affecting DNA synthesis and function: alkylating agents

Answer 1

prevent DNA replication/translation. Cause breaks in DNA chain

Question 2

antitumor antibiotics

Answer 2

inhibit transcription and causes breaks in DNA chain

Question 3

platinum coordination complexes

Answer 3

Platinum coordination complexes: inhibit DNA replication

Question 4

topoisomerase inhibitors

Answer 4

key enzyme needed for DNA replication. Drugs will inhibit this enzyme causing breaks in DNA chain

Question 5

anti-metabolite

Answer 5

inhibit DNA synthesis

Question 6

2. State the mechanism of action of the following anti-cancer drugs directly affecting cell mitosis: vinka alkaloids

Answer 6

inhibit formation of microtubules

Question 7

taxanes

Answer 7

inhibit breakdown of microtubules

Question 8

3. List the three primary ways that anticancer hormones exert their anti-cancer effects.

Answer 8

inhibit production of a hormone
Block or reduce effects of hormone
Inhibit cell growth or induce cell death

Question 9

4. State why most conventional anticancer drugs exert severe and potentially toxic side effects.

Answer 9

most of these drugs do not discriminate between health tissues and cancerous tissues

Question 10

5. Define the term targeted therapy.

Answer 10

focus on a specific abnormal trait in the cancer cell that is not present in healthy cells

Question 11

6. List the two primary targeted therapies used in the treatment of cancer.

Answer 11

monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Question 12

7. State the mechanism of action of monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of cancer.

Answer 12

cell cloning techniques used to manufacture antibodies that bind to a specific antigen on tumor cells

Question 13

8. State the mechanism of action of tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Answer 13

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors: inhibits the tyrosine kinase receptors. Prevents cell division

Question 14

9. State the mechanisms of action of the following immunotherapies used to treat cancer: cytokines

Answer 14

directly activate pathways that inhibit cell division, promote cell death. Encourage cytotoxic immune cells to attack cancer cells

Question 15

monoclonal antibodies.

Answer 15

monoclonal antibodies: inhibit proteins that are suppressing the immune cells that normally attack cancer

Question 16

10. Describe the immunotherapy referred to as adoptive cell transfer.

Answer 16

adoptive cell transfer: grow patient’s T-cells in lab and reinsert into patient.

Question 17

11. State how retinoids are used in the therapy of cancer

Answer 17

help cells differentiate and replicate at a more normal rate

Question 18

12. List the common side effects observed with anti-cancer drug therapy.

Answer 18

hair loss, GI problems, anemia, fatigue, neurotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, skin rashes

Question 19

13. State the basis for many of the side effects observed with anti-cancer drug therapy

Answer 19

normal cells are also experiencing the same toxic changes as the tumor cells

Question 20

14. State the basic rationale for using combination chemotherapy regimens

Answer 20

This process of combination chemotherapy increases the chance of successfully treating the cancer because of the additive and synergistic effect of each agent

Question 21

16. Match each of the following anti-cancer agents with its therapeutic category: cyclophosphamide, daunorubicin, cisplatin, etoposide, methotrexate, vincristine, tamoxifene, leuprolide, rituximab, imatinib, interferon alpha-2b.

Answer 21

Cyclophosphamide: Akylating agent
Daunorubicin: antitumor antibiotic 
Cisplatin: platinum coordination complex
Etoposide: topoisomerase inhibitor
Methotrexate: antimetabolites
Vincristine: vinka alkaloids
Tamoxifene: antiestrogens
Leuprolide: gonadotropin releaseing hormone drugs
Rituximab: monoclonal antibodies
Imatinib: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors
interferon alpha-2b: cytokine

Question 22

17. State considerations of a physical therapist working with a patient taking chemotherapy

Answer 22

patient support and managing their pain. Exercising. Looking out for side effects