Chemotherapy Flashcards
Which tissues are not sensitive to toxicity from chemotherapy?
Brain, heart, bone, and skeletal muscle
What is important to remember when using any chemotherapeutic drug?
They are hazardous agents that carry serious risks
Almost all chemotherapy drugs can cause what due to toxicity?
Myelosuppression
What are some benefits of using carboplatin as opposed to cisplatin?
It’s safe for cats and has fewer GI side effects
What phase of the cell cycle does the Vinca alkyloid group of drugs target?
M phase (mitosis)
What is the mechanism of action of methotrexate? Is it cell cycle specific or non-specifc?
Cell cycle specific- S phase
Dihydofolate reductase antagonist (aka anti-folate)
Prevents synthesis of purines for DNA synthesis
What are the common therapeutic uses of vinblastine?
Subsitute for vincristine if peripheral neuropathy is a concern
Mast cell tumors
Which species is most at risk for developing bladder toxicity as a result of treatment with cyclophosphamide?
Dogs
In addition to myelosuppression, lomustine toxicity can cause what?
It’s hepatotoxic- can be given with alpha-lipoic acid or other drugs to help prevent damage
What is the mechanism of action of cytosine arabinoside? Is it cell cycle specific or non-specific?
Cell cycle specific- S phase
Pyrimidine analogue- incorporated into DNA and is interpreted as damage by checking mechanisms
What is the mechanism of action of L-asparaginase?
It degrades asparagine which is needed by lymphoid cells
What is the difference between a cell cycle specific and cell cycle non-specific drug?
Cell cycle specific- targets a stage of the cell cycle so cells must be actively dividing to have an effect
Cell cycle non-specific- have an effect no matter if cells are actively dividing or not
Doxorubicin is used to treat which cancers?
Lymphoma
Osteosarcoma
Hemangiosarcoma
5-Fluorouracil should never be given to which species? Why?
Cats because it causes seizures
Cisplatin is primarily used to treat which cancers?
Osteosarcoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Which tissues are most susceptible to toxicity from chemotherapy?
Bone marrow, gut lining, and lymphoid tissues
What is a benefit of using mitoxantrone over doxorubicin?
It does not produce free radicals
Vincristine toxicity can result in what?
Vesicant
Peripheral neuropathy (problems walking, GI motility)
What is the mechanism of action of vincristine and vinblastine?
Prevents assembly of the mitotic spindle and causes mitotic catastrophe
Which cancer is usually treated with melphalan?
Multiple myeloma
Doxorubicin has a similar mechanism of action to other antibiotic chemotherapy drugs, but also produces what?
Free radicals
L-asparaginase toxicity can cause what?
Anaphylaxis
What can cisplatin toxicity result in?
Fatal pulmonary edema in cats
Nephrotoxic
Can cause nausea
Methotrexate is used to treat which cancers?
Lymphoma
CNS tumors
Osteosarcoma
