Chemotherapy Flashcards
How many cells must be in a tumour before it can be physically detected?
10^9
In what cases in curative chemotherapy used
Solid tumours
What is meant by each letter in the TMN score
T= tumour- local mass and extension N= nodes- has it reached nodes M= metastasis- has it spread systemically
What is the purpose of adjuvant chemotherapy
To eridicate or control micro-metastasis
What are the 3 functions of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy
To make surgery or RT possible
To alleviate surgical damage
To eradicate micro-metastasis
In what malignancies is chemotherapy the primary treatment
Haematological malignancies
Define ‘specific cell cycle phase drug’
What does its action depend upon?
Agents with major activity in particular phase of cycle
Schedule dependent
Define ‘non specific cell cycle phase drug’
What does its action depend upon?
Agents with significant activity in multiple phases
Dose dependent
Name 5 non phase specific drugs
- Cyclophosphamide
- Chlorambucil
- Cisplatin
- Actinomycin- D
- L- asparaginase
Name a drug that acts in the G1 phase
Vinblastine
Name a drug that acts in the S phase (3)
Methotrexate
6-Mercaptopurine
5-Fluorouracil
Name the drugs that act in G2 phase v(4)
Bleomycin
Etoposide
Topotecan
Daunorubicin
Name the drugs that act in the M phase (4)
Vincristine
Vinblastine
Paclitaxel
Docetaxel
Where do antimetabolites act?
At DNA synthesis
Where do alkylating agents act
Directly upon the DNA
Where do intercalating agents act
At DNA transcription and DNA duplication
Where do spindle poisons act
Mitosis
How do drugs act indirectly
By altering the hormonal mileau
Name some examples of indirectly acting dryugs (5)
- Corticosteroid
- Oestrogens
- 5 alpha reductase inhibitor
- Gnrh agonist
- Progestins
Give some examples of directly acting cytotoxic drugs (3)
Alkylating agents
Antimetabolites
Natural products
Give some examples of natural products with cytotoxic properties
Antibiotics Vinca alkaloids Taxanes Epipodophyllotoxins Camptothecin analogs Enzymes BIological response modifers
5 types of drugs that are classified as alkylating agents
- Nitrogen Mustards Ethyleneimine Alkyl Sulfonate Nitrosureas Triazines
3 types of drugs that are classified as antimetabolites
- Folate antagonists
- Purine antagonists
- Pyrimidine antagonists
What are vinca alkaloids obtained from
Vinca Rosea
Name 4 vinca alkaloids
Vincristine
Vinblastine
Vindesine
Vinorelbine
What are taxanes obtained fromq
Pacific Yew or European Yew
Name 2 taxanes
Paclitaxel and docetaxel
Name 6 drugs which are used to treat cancer but are known as ‘miscellaneous agents’
Cisplatin Carboplatin Hydroxurea Procarbazine Mitotane Imatinib
How long does chemo treatment usually last
6 months in 2-4 weekly cycles
Side effects of chemo
Tiredness, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, infection, infertility
