chemotherapy

Question 1

5 classes of chemical drugs

Answer 1

1. Alkylating agents
2. anti-metabolites
3. microtubule inhibitors
4. topo-isomerase inhibitors
5. anthracyclins

Question 2

what is the mode of action for chemo

Answer 2

to interfere/damage DNA, often during cell cycle, resulting in cell death

Question 3

what chemos are cell cycle dependent

Answer 3

anti-metabolites, vinca-alkaloids, taxanes

Question 4

what chemos are cell cycle independent

Answer 4

alkylating agents

Question 5

what do microtubule inhibitors do

Answer 5

block polymerisation. For example, colchicine Vinblastine inhibits beta tubulin

Question 6

2 main issues w chemo

Answer 6

1. effectiveness is dependent on the chemosensitivity of the cancer
2. non-selective for cancer cells

Question 7

which cancers are given chemo in a curative setting

Answer 7

germ-cell tumours, Hodgkins, non-hodgkins lymphomas, paediatric tumours

Question 8

which cancers are given chemo in a palliative setting

Answer 8

breast, ovarian, CRC, lung, haematological malignancies

Question 9

what is adjuvant chemo used for

Answer 9

to reduce the chance of recurrence after surgery (kills microscopic cancer cells)

Question 10

what is neo-adjuvant chemo used for

Answer 10

to reduce the size of the primary cancer before surgery

Question 11

4 ways chemo can be given

Answer 11

IV, oral, local, single agent/combination

Question 12

what toxicity do the majority of chemotherapies have

Answer 12

bone marrow suppression

Question 13

what toxicity do most of chemotherapies have

Answer 13

nausea-vomiting

Question 14

what toxicity do alkylating agents and taxanes have

Answer 14

alopecia

Question 15

what toxicity do anthracyclines and cyclophosphamide 5-FU have

Answer 15

cardiotoxicity

Question 16

what is neutropaenia

Answer 16

when the bone marrow is effected, neutrophil count is <0.5106. it can be life-threatening