Chemotherapy Action

Question 1

What are the 3 main mechanisms of action of chemotherapy drugs?

Answer 1

Blocking synthesis of pre DNA molecule components e.g. folic acid
Directly damaging DNA in cells
Interrupting synthesis or breakdown of mitotic spindles

Question 2

According to the BNF what are some of the serious side effects from Chemotherapy drugs?

Answer 2

Extravasation of intravenous drugs
Oral Mucositis
Tumour Lysis Syndrome
Hyperuricaemia
Bone Marrow Suppression
Alopecia
Thromoembolism

Question 3

Why should blood count be checked before and after chemotherapy?

Answer 3

Because chemotherapy may have to be delayed or doses reduced if bone marrow is not recovered.

Question 4

Why is it important to treat neurtropenic patients who have a fever with broad spectrum antibiotics?

Answer 4

An infection can prove fatal for these patients if left untreated.

Question 5

What are the different classes of chemotherapy agents?

Answer 5

Anthracyclines and other cytotoxic antibiotics
Vinca alkaloids
Antimetabolites
Alkylating agents

Question 6

How do Vinca Alkaloid agents exert a cytotoxic effect?

Answer 6

Inhibit microtubule assembly, preventing spindle formation during mitosis

Question 7

How do Alkylating agents exert a cytotoxic action?

Answer 7

Cross linking of DNA bases; interfering with DNA replication

Question 8

How do cytotoxic antibiotics exert cytotoxic action?

Answer 8

Interfering with enzymes involved in DNA replication

Question 9

What is a serious complication for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy that results from a lower levels of neutrophils?

Answer 9

Neutropenic sepsis

Question 10

What type of anti-biotics are used to treat neutropenic sepsis in cancer patients?

Answer 10

Beta-lactam Antibiotics

Question 11

How do Beta Lactam Antibiotics exert their bacteriacidal effects?

Answer 11

By interfering with the structural crosslinking of peptidoglycans in bacterial cell walls

Question 12

What is the main characteristic of the condition neutropenia?

Answer 12

Abnormally low neutrophils

Question 13

From commencement of chemotherapy how long does it take for the neutrophil count to reach its lowest point?

Answer 13

5-7 days from commencement

Question 14

How long will it take for the bone marrow to recover the neutrophil count after chemotherapy?

Answer 14

2-4 weeks

Question 15

What are patients at increased risk from if they experience neutropenia?

Answer 15

Infection

Question 16

For patients receiving chemotherapy, when are they more at risk of developing Neutropenic sepsis?

Answer 16

Within the first two cycles of chemotherapy.