Cytotoxic Agents Flashcards
name alkylating agents
- cyclophosphamide
what is the mechanism of action of cyclophosphamide?
- alkylating agent
- causes cross-linking in DNA
what are the adverse effects of cyclophosphamide?
- haemorrhagic cystitis
- myelosuppression
- transitional cell carcinoma
name cytotoxic antibiotics
- bleomycin
- anthracyclines (e.g. doxorubicin)
what is the mechanism of action of bleomycin?
degrades preformed DNA
what is the adverse effect of bleomycin?
- lung fibrosis
what is the mechanism of action of anthracyclines?
e.g. doxorubicin
stabilises DNA-topoisomerase II complex inhibits DNA and RNA synthesis
what is the adverse effect of anthracyclines?
e.g. doxorubicin
cardiomyopathy
name antimetabolites
- methotrexate
- fluorouracil (5-FU)
- 6-mercaptopurine
- cytarabine
what is the mechanism of action of methotrexate?
inhibits dihydrofolate reductase and thymidylate synthesis
what are the adverse effects of methotrexate?
- myelosuppression
- mucositis
- liver fibrosis
- lung fibrosis
what is the mechanism of action of fluorouracil?
pyrimidine analogue inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by blocking thymidylate synthase
what are the adverse effects of fluorouracil?
- myelosuppresion
- mucositis
- dermatitis
what is the mechanism of action of 6-mercaptopurine?
purine analogue that is activated by HGPRTase, decreasing purine synthesis
what is the adverse effect of 6-mercaptopurine?
myelosuppression