Drug discovery in oncology Flashcards
Cellular Transformation, Cancer Treatments, History of Cancer Research, Targeted Therapy, Drug Resistance, Immunotherapy
What causes cellular transformation in cancer?
Genetic lesions affecting proliferation and apoptosis.
Name four main types of cancer treatments.
Surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy.
How does targeted therapy differ from standard chemotherapy?
Targets specific molecular targets with fewer side effects.
What is the role of monoclonal antibodies in cancer treatment?
Designed against targets outside the cell or the cell surface
What causes drug resistance in cancer treatment?
The most common reason is expression of drug-ejecting transporters.
How is the HER2 gene related to breast cancer?
Overexpressed in 20-25% of breast cancers, indicating aggressive disease.
What is the significance of the Philadelphia Chromosome in leukemia?
Found in 95% of CML cases, involving the BCR-ABL fusion gene.
How do cancers avoid immune detection?
downregulating antigen presentation, promoting immune tolerance, and inhibiting immune cell activation, allowing them to evade immune surveillance and attack.
What are cancer stem cells (CSCs) and their role in therapy resistance?
Resistant to therapy and can regenerate tumors.
Name a common mechanism of action for monoclonal antibodies in oncology.
Blocking growth factor receptors.
How do cancer vaccines work?
They stimulate the immune system to attack cancer cells.
What is the significance of immune checkpoint inhibitors?
They prevent cancer cells from evading immune system detection.
What role does CAR-T cell therapy play in cancer treatment?
It genetically modifies T cells to attack cancer cells.
Define “oncogenes” and their role in cancer.
Genes that can transform a cell into a tumor cell when mutated or expressed at high levels.
What is the impact of tumor suppressor genes in cancer development?
Their loss or mutation can lead to cancer progression.
Describe the process of angiogenesis in cancer.
The formation of new blood vessels that supply nutrients to tumors.
How does hormone therapy work in cancer treatment?
blocking the production or action of hormones that promote cancer growth
What is the principle behind combination therapy in oncology?
Using multiple treatments to target different cancer pathways and reduce resistance.
How do alkylating agents work as chemotherapy drugs?
They damage DNA, preventing cancer cells from dividing.
What is targeted therapy’s advantage over traditional chemotherapy?
Targeted therapy attacks specific targets on cancer cells, causing less harm to normal cells.
Explain the concept of “precision medicine” in oncology.
Tailoring treatment to the individual characteristics of each patient’s cancer.
What is the challenge of multi-drug resistance in cancer treatment?
Cancer cells develop resistance to multiple drugs, making treatment difficult.
Define “metastasis” in the context of cancer.
The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another.
What is the role of signal transduction inhibitors in cancer therapy?
They block the pathways that promote cell division and survival in cancer cells.
