Drugs to treat skin cancer

Question 1

Actinic Keratosis is treated with?

Answer 1

An NSAID and a TCA

Question 2

Cisplatin is most likely to be used against

Answer 2

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Question 3

What is used to treat melanoma

Answer 3

“D” drugs- used against melanoma, as is vinblastine or a mustine (carmustine or lomustine)

Question 4

3 Primary types of skin cancer are?

Answer 4

Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma

Question 5

The cause of mortality in skin cancer is

Answer 5

metastatic disease. If treated early, most skin cancer is cured

Question 6

What are the most common sites of metastases in skin cancer?

Answer 6

Intestines, lung, brain.

Question 7

Standard treatment of Basal cell carcinoma is

Answer 7

If the disease is localized, topical flourouracil and/or Imiquimod may be used. If the disease is advanced or metastatic, cisplatin is most effective. Vismodegib is a drug that interferes with the hedgehog pathway and has just been approved for use in BSC.

Question 8

What is Imiquimod’s MOA

Answer 8

Its an immune response initiator, can activate Toll-like receptors, Its also an adenosine receptor blcker. Its also used for actinic keratosis and HPV

Question 9

Side effects of Imiquimod?

Answer 9

Increased photosensitivity, Can alter birth control function when used for HPV (screws up condoms and diaphragms)

Question 10

What the hell is hedgehog signaling

Answer 10

It is important for embryogenesis an dorgan maturation. It is very active during childhood when organs are developing but b adulthood it is quiet exceot in some instances of tissue repair.

Question 11

Hedgehog pathway has been shown to be reactivated in Basal cell carcinoma, the consequence of this signaling incliudes:

Answer 11

Upregulatin of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein, indection of vascular endothelial growth factor and angiopoitins which regulate angiogenesis

Question 12

What is the significance of the HH pathway being Ligand independent?

Answer 12

Clinical inhibitors must act at or below the level of the SMO protein in order to be effective. Acting at the HH binding site is ineffective.f

Question 13

Vismodegib is what

Answer 13

An oral SMO protein inhibitor

Question 14

Vismodegib Side effects

Answer 14

Intrauterine fetal deaths and severe birth defects. Male and female patients must practice birth control. Must be on for 7 mos after last dose. No blood donations for 7 mos after last dose.
Most common side effect is allopecia

Question 15

What is the standard treatment of squamous cell carcinoma?

Answer 15

Surgery and radiation. No drugs

Question 16

Interferon Alpha side effects

Answer 16

worsening of pre-existing AI disease, Cardiac dysfunction, Depression and suicide

Flu and flu like symptoms most common