Chemo Quiz

Question 1

Which statement about alkylating agents is not correct?

a) Alkylating agents raise the pH of cancer cells to dangerously high levels resulting in death of susceptible cells
b) Healthy cells are able to metabolize cyclophosphamide to a non-toxic compound
c) Alkylating agents exert their toxic effects via a transfer of alkyl groups to various cellular groups including DNA. The resulting defective DNA is recognized during specific cell-cycle checkpoints which triggers cell death via apoptosis
d) The favorite target of alkylating agents is the N7 residue of guanine. Once alkylated the purine guanine is unable to pair with the pyrimidine cytosine.

Answer 1

a) –> alkylating agent’s MOA has nothing to do with changing cellular pH, it works by inhibiting proper DNA synthesis which induces apoptosis

Question 2

Which statement is NOT correct?

a) Platinum contain agents enter cells via the copper transport mechanism
b) Low concentrations of chloride enhance the activation of cisplatin to a toxic compound. Increasing the chloride content of urine can minimize cisplatin toxic effects on the kidney
c) Cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin have the same MOA. Therefore the indications, dosing, use and precautions are all the same
d) Platinum containing agents are associated with very high rates of nausea and vomiting. Other toxicities include ototoxicity and electrolyte abnormalities and nephrotoxicity

Answer 2

c)

Question 3

Identify the matching statements:

1) Purine
2) Pyrimidine
3) Nitrogen base plus deoxyribose sugar
4) Nitrogen base plus deoxyribose sugar plus
phosphate linked to deoxyribose

a) nucleoside
b) thymine
c) guanine
d) nucleotide

Answer 3

1c
2b
3a
4d

Question 4

Match the correct statements:

1) Folinic acid
2) Methotrexate
3) Vinca alkaloids (vincristine, vinblastin)
4) Pyrimidine analogs

a) Inhibits dihydrofolate reductase which is the enzyme necessary for activation of folic acid
b) Bind to tubulin and prevent polymerization into microtubules. Chromosome in susceptible cells are unable to align
c) The activated version of folic acid
d) Fluorouracil, and cytosine arabinoside

Answer 4

1c
2a
3b
4d

Question 5

Match the correct statements:

1) Paclitaxel
2) Bleomycin
3) Topoisomerase inhibitors
4) Free radical generator

a) A copper chelating peptide, active against lymphoma lacking overlapping toxicities with other agents
b) Is isolated from the bark of the Western Yew tree and has a MOA similar to the Vinca alkaloids
c) Thought to be the mechanism of cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin
d) Prevent the repair of DNA. Includes doxorubicin, etoposide, topotecan

Answer 5

1b
2a
3d
4c

Question 6

T or F: In the combination regimen of rCHOP:

-Rituxan, a murine antigen, binds to CD20 antigens found on B lymphocytes and activates the human immune system against these cells
-Cyclophosphamide is highly active against B lymphocytes and prevents the proper pairing of DNA base pairs
-Doxorubicin is highly active against B lymphocytes and acts to prevent DNA repair
-Vincristine does not permit chromosomes to align in susceptible cells
-Prednisone is highly active against B lymphocytes

Answer 6

True