Chemotherapy IV Flashcards
General MOA of Anti-metabolites
Structural analogs of naturally occurring metabolites
Substitute for the naturally occurring metabolites in biochemical pathways and cause cessation of synthesis- usually of nucleic acids
Cell cycle specific (S-phase)
Class of methotrexate
Antimetabolite
Anti-folate (structural analogue of folate)
Cycle specificity of methotrexate
CCS (S pase)
Macromolecular target of methotrexate
Dihydrofolate reductase
MOA of methotrexate
Enters the cell via a specific folate carrier proteins and binds reversibly to DHFR (dihydrofolate reductase)
Folate —DHFR—-> tetrahydrofolate
MTX (and folate) are polyglutamated by folylpolygutamate synthetase - polyglutamated forms are retained in cancer cells -> inhibitory effects on enzymes involved in purine synthesis and thymidylate synthesis
Dihydrofolate accumulates and tetrahydrofolate (carbon donor for purine synthesis) declines
MOA of leucovorin, citrovorum factor
Tetrahydrofolate analogue can rescue the cell from the cytotoxicity of MTX
Selectivity depends on the extent of polyglutamation of MTX in normal and malignant cells (bone marrow cells and intestinal epithelial cells do not form appreciable levels of MTX-polyglutamate = rescued)
Color of Methotrexate
Yellow in solution
Excretion of Methotrexate
Excreted in the urine as the salt of a weak acid (aspirin and penicillins are also excreted this way and these drugs will interfere with excretion; probenecid blocks the organic acid transport system and will also interfere with excretion)
Protein binding of Methotrexate
Highly protein bound: co-administration drugs which displace MTX from albumin binding sites may potentiate toxicity
Volume of distribution of Methotrexate
TBW: Gains access to third space accumulations of fluid and will slowly leak out and cause a prolonged tail of excretion (i.e. in ascites and pleural effusion)
Contraindications of Methotrexate
Ascites and pleural effusions (due to volume of distribution)
Caution in patients with impaired renal function- reduce dose (excretion in urine)
In what situation is Methotrexate solubility increased
Alkalinize excretion promotes excretion (esp. important at high doses)
SEs of Methotrexate (standard dose without rescue)
Mild nausea and vomiting, stomatitis, myelosuppression is dose limiting
Uses of Methotrexate
Intrathecal administration used to treat carcinomatous or lymphomatous meningitis
Breast CA, leukemia, lymphoma, brain tumors, RA, and psoriasis
Choriocarcinoma (first time that a cancer was cured using chemotherapy)
Administration cycle of High Dose Methotrexate with leucovorin rescue
- IV hydration with sodium bicarbonate to alkalinize urine
- Check urine pH each void - pH> 7 and give bicarb
- IV MTX
- Variable time period later begin IV or oral leucovorin administration
- Monitor MTX levels and stop rescue when MTX level is
Toxicity of high dose Methotrexate therapy
No myelosuppression or Stomatitis with rescue
Enteritis, conjunctivitis, renal failure and rarely hepatic failure
Class of Pemetrexed
Anti-folate
MOA of Pemetrexed
Disrupts folate dependent metabolic processes
Drug is transported into the cell via a folate carrier and is polyglutamated
Inhibits thymidylate synthesis
Uses of Pemetrexed
Lung CA and mesothelioma
SEs of Pemetrexed
Myelosuppression is dose limiting
Rash, stomatitis, and diarrhea
Hand-foot syndrome
Dose limiting SE of Pemetrexed
Myelosuppression
Pretreatment to reduce Pemetrexed induced myelosuppression
Parenteral vitamin B12 and oral folic acid
Class of Cytarabine (Cytosine arabinoside)
Antimetabolite
Pyrimidine antagonist
Cycle specificity of Cytarabine
CSS (S phase)
Macromolecular target of Cytarabine
DNA