Exam 3: Cancer Pharmacology

Question 1

“Guardian of the genome”:

Answer 1

P53 tumor suppressor gene

Question 2

Two-hit hypothesis:

Answer 2

Both alleles for tumor suppressor gene must mutate for gene to lose function

Question 3

MoA of methotrexate:

Answer 3

Prevents reduction of FH2 to FH4, interfering with DNA synthesis

Question 4

MoA of doxorubicin:

Answer 4

Inhibits topoisomerase II, which relaxes the DNA coil, thus interfering with DNA replication

Question 5

MoA of cyclophosphamide:

Answer 5

Attach alkyl groups to guanines, causing guanines on the helix to link and “stick” DNA in its coil, interfering with DNA replication

Question 6

MoA of vincristine:

Answer 6

Binds to microtubules, preventing their polymerization and arresting the cell in metaphase

Question 7

MoA of tamoxifen:

Answer 7

Antagonizes estrogen at the receptor level

Question 8

Two ways monoclonal antibodies work:

Answer 8

Block growth signals

Stop new blood vessels from forming

Question 9

MoA of cetuximab:

Answer 9

Binds to mutated growth factor receptor and prevents its downstream signalling

Question 10

MoA of bevacizumab/Avastin:

Answer 10

Inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor A, thus blocking angiogenesis

Question 11

MoA of tyrosine kinase inhibitors:

Answer 11

Prevent the phosphorylation of the tyrosine kinase, which prevents the signaling cascade that leads to cell proliferation

Question 12

Define BCR-Abl:

Answer 12

Philadelphia chromosome

Chromosome 22 translocates with chromosome 9

Question 13

BCR-Abl associated with this cancer:

Answer 13

CML

Question 14

Example of a tyrosine kinase inhibitor:

Answer 14

Gleevec (imantinib)