Chemotherapy

Question 1

State the different types of cytotoxic agents.

Answer 1

• Alkylating agents
• Antimetabolites
• Mitotic inhibitors
• Antibiotics
• Others e.g hormones

Question 2

A vinca alkaloid is

A An alkylating agent

B An antibiotic

C An antimetabolites

D A hormone

E A mitotic inhibitor

Answer 2

E A mitotic inhibitor

They are METAPHASE arrest agents. They bind to tubuli and block microtubule formation and spindle formation

Question 3

What do alkylating agents do?

Answer 3

Affect DNA directly

Question 4

What do antimetabolites do?

Answer 4

Affect DNA precursors

Question 5

What do cytotoxic antibiotics do?

Answer 5

Prevent cell division

Question 6

Alkylating agents attach to

Answer 6

Free guanines at Nitrogen 6 on separated DNA strands and prevent DNA replication

Question 7

Taxanes:

Answer 7

Mitotic inhibitors that promote spindle fibre formation and ‘freeze’ cells at metaphase when it is about to divide

Question 8

Which cell cycle phase do antimetabolites affect?

Answer 8

S phase

Question 9

EXPLAIN which stage of mitosis is prevented by action of vinca alkaloids.

Answer 9

Stage = Metaphase

Explanation = Vinca alkaloids bind to tubulin and block microtubule/spindle formation