Common Antineoplastics: How It Works

Question 1

Bendamustine (Treanda)

Answer 1

Not completely understood, non-cell cycle specific

Question 2

Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)

Answer 2

Non-cell cycle specific. Forms inter and intrastrand DNA-DNA cross links which inactivates DNA.

Question 3

Carboplatin (Paraplatin)

Answer 3

Non-cell cycle specific. Readily crosses cell membranes. Cytotoxicity inhibits DNA replication, RNA transcription, and protein synthesis.

Question 4

Cisplatin (Platinol)

Answer 4

Non-cell cycle specific. Readily crosses cell membranes. Cytotoxicity inhibits DNA replication, RNA transcription, and protein synthesis.

Question 5

Oxaliplatin (Eloxatin)

Answer 5

Non-cell cycle specific. Readily crosses cell membranes. Cytotoxicity inhibits DNA replication, RNA transcription, and protein synthesis. Spectrum of activity is different from other platinums.

Question 6

Irinotecan (Camptosar)

Answer 6

Cell cycle specific. Inhibits the enzyme topoisomerase 1 which stops cells in the DNA synthesis phase.

Question 7

Topotecan (Hycamtin)

Answer 7

Cell cycle specific. Inhibits the enzyme topoisomerase 1 which stops cells in the DNA synthesis phase.

Question 8

Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)

Answer 8

Non-cell cycle specific but max effects occur in the synthesis cell phase. Mainly inhibits the enzyme topoisomerase 2 which disrupts DNA replication.

Question 9

Doxorubicin Liposomal (Doxil)

Answer 9

Non-cell cycle specific, but max effects are in the synthesis cell phase. Mainly inhibits the enzyme topoisomerase 2 which disrupts DNA replication.

Question 10

Etoposide (VP-16, Vepesid, Toposar)

Answer 10

Cell cycle specific. Acts on the enzyme topoisomerase 2 to prevent further progression in cell cycle which causes cell death.

Question 11

Vincristine (Oncovin)

Answer 11

Cell cycle specific. Interferes with microtubules which leads to cell cycle arrest in the metaphase of mitosis.

Question 12

Docetaxel (Taxotere)

Answer 12

Cell cycle specific. Promotes assembly of microtubules and stabilizes their formation rendering them non-functional in the cell. This leads to cell cycle arrest (and death) during mitosis.

Question 13

Paclitaxel (Taxol)

Answer 13

Cell cycle specific. Promotes assembly of microtubules and stabilizes their formation rendering them non-functional in the cell. This leads to cell cycle arrest (and death) during mitosis. Also acts as a radiation sensitizer.

Question 14

Paclitaxel protein-bound (Abraxane)

Answer 14

Cell cycle specific. Promotes assembly of microtubules and stabilizes their formation rendering them non-functional in the cell. This leads to cell cycle arrest (and death) during mitosis. Combined with human albumin eliminating the need for special tubing and certain pre-meds.

Question 15

Pemetrexed (Alimta)

Answer 15

Cell cycle specific. Mimics nutrients a cell needs for metabolism and protein synthesis. Inhibits both DNA synthesis and folate metabolism during the synthesis phase.

Question 16

Azacitidine (Vidaza)

Answer 16

Cell cycle specific. Directly incorporates into DNA causing an inhibition of protein synthesis which leads to cell death.

Question 17

Decitabine (Dacogen)

Answer 17

Cell cycle specific. Directly incorporates into DNA causing inhibition of protein synthesis which leads to cell death.

Question 18

Fluorouracil (5-FU, Adrucil)

Answer 18

Cell cycle specific. Incorporates into RNA and DNA during cell synthesis, interfering with cell growth.

Question 19

Gemcitabine (Gemzar)

Answer 19

Cell cycle specific. Incorporated into DNA strands during the synthesis phase, inducing cell death.

Question 20

Arsenic Trioxide (Trisenox)

Answer 20

Induces the maturation or cancer cells into normal cells. Can also cause programmed cell death.

Question 21

Bleomycin Sulfate (Blenoxane)

Answer 21

Cell cycle specific. Acts in the G2 phase, causing DNA strand breakage.

Question 22

Mitomycin (Mitozytrex, Mutamycin)

Answer 22

Non-cell cycle specific. Causes chromosomal breaks and shortens strands of DNA. Also acts as a radiation sensitizer.