Chemotherapy Flashcards
What is chemotherapy
Compound which targets DNA,RNA & proteins
Forces cells into apoptosis
Non-specific
What cells does chemotherapy affect
All dividing cells
How is chemotherapy delivered
IV & Oral
Administered in cycle
What determines chemo cycles
Pharmacokinetics
What does combination chemo increase
Efficacy
What are the three types of chemo
Alkylating agents+ platinum drugs- Block DNA repl.
Antimetabolites- Mimic molecules required for cell div.
Organic drugs- Alkaloids/taxanes/anthracyclines
What does personalised systemic therapies involve
Hormonal therapies- anti-oestrogen, aromatase inhibitors
Targeted therapies- EGFR, VEGF, CDK 4/6
Immunotherapy- PD1, PD-L1, CTLA 4
What does hormone therapy involve
Targets hormones directly
E.G. breast cancer- Prevents oestrogen overproliferation
How do targeted therapies work
Use of EGF inhibitors E.g Tyrosine kinase inhibitors
Use of CDK4/6 Inhibitors
What is an example of EGF inhibitor
tyrosine kinase inhibitors
What are the side effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitor
Diarrhoea
Dry skin
rash
hypertension
liver dysfunction
What are CDK 4/6 inhibitors
Cyclin dependant kinase inhibitors
Cyclin D pushes cells from G0->G1 phase
Cyclin D regulates Cyclin E - Pushes cells from G1->S phase
Inhibitors block progression of cells through cycle
What is immunotherapy
Using bodies own immune system to fight cancer
What are the cells involved in this
immunotherapy
Derived from Haematopoietic stem cells
B cells
T cells
What is the role of the immune checkpoints
Ensure self-tolerance maintained
Activated by ligand binding
Eg PD-1-> PD-L1 &CTLA-4 -> B7
Immune checkpoint inhibitors remove immune system brakes to increase T cell activity
