Chemotherapy Drugs

Question 1

Classes of chemotherapy drugs

Answer 1

Antimetabolites, Alkylating agents, Intercalating agents, Mitotic inhibitors

Question 2

Examples of antimetabolites (Chemotherapy)

Answer 2

5 Fluorouracil, Methotrexate

Question 3

Mechanism of action of antimetabolites (Chemotherapy)

Answer 3

Inhibit purine and pyramidine synthesis, Preventing DNA synthesis

Question 4

Example of alkylating agents

Answer 4

Cisplatin

Question 5

Mechanism of action of alkylating agents

Answer 5

Form covalent bonds between DNA strands preventing DNA replication

Question 6

Examples of mitotic inhibitors

Answer 6

Taxanes, Vinca alkaloids

Question 7

Mechanism of action of Taxanes

Answer 7

Inhibit spindle recycling

Question 8

Mechanism of action of Vinca alkaloids

Answer 8

Prevent spindle formation

Question 9

ADRs of chemotherapy

Answer 9

Alopecia, Mucositis, Vomiting, Skin toxicity, Lung fibrosis, Cardiac toxicity, Myelosuppression, Diarrhoea, Renal failure, Myalgia

Question 10

ADR of Cisplatin

Answer 10

Peripheral neuropathy

Question 11

ADRs of mitotic inhibitors

Answer 11

Glove and stocking neuropathy

Question 12

Monitoring during chemotherapy

Answer 12

ECGs, LFTs, Spirometry, Creatinine, Evoked neural response, Radiological imaging, Tumour markers

Question 13

Mechanisms of chemotherapy resistance

Answer 13

Upregulate multidrug resistance protein, Down regulate uptake proteins, Up regulate inhibiting enzymes, Up regulate DNA repair enzymes