FB - Principles of Pharmacology of Anti-Cancer Drugs

Question 1

What is the mechanism of action of alkylating agents?

Answer 1

They cross-link DNA, inhibiting DNA replication and transcription.

Question 2

What are the major toxicities of alkylating agents?

Answer 2

Myelosuppression, leukemogenesis, alopecia.

Question 3

How do antimetabolites function as cancer drugs?

Answer 3

They interfere with DNA and RNA synthesis by mimicking building blocks.

Question 4

Which antimetabolite is specifically used for treating leukemia ?

Answer 4

Methotrexate

Question 5

What is the primary adverse effect of methotrexate?

Answer 5

Myelosuppression

Question 6

Describe the mechanism of action of vinblastine in cancer therapy

Answer 6

It binds to the polymerising end, preventing elongation of the microtubule thereby inhibiting cell division.

Question 7

Describe the mechanism of action of paclitaxel in cancer therapy

Answer 7

It stabilises the microtubule, preventing shortening or depolymerisation.

Question 8

Name a plant alkaloid used in cancer treatment.

Answer 8

Vinblastine

Question 9

What is a significant side effect of vinblastine?

Answer 9

Peripheral neuropathy

Question 10

What is the role of topoisomerase inhibitors in cancer treatment?

Answer 10

They interfere with transcription and replication of DNA by disruption of appropriate DNA supercoiling

Question 11

Give an example of a type 1 topoisomerase inhibitor

Answer 11

Irinotecan

Question 12

Identify a key toxicity of irinotecan

Answer 12

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea

Question 13

Name a taxane used in cancer treatment

Answer 13

Paclitaxel

Question 14

What are the mechanisms of action of neutralising antibodies in cancer therapy?

Answer 14

It binds to cell surface receptors or extracellular ligands to block cancer cell survival or blood vessel formation.

Question 15

Provide an example of a monoclonal antibody used in cancer

Answer 15

Bevacizumab

Question 16

What is the mechanism of action of checkpoint inhibitors in cancer?

Answer 16

It enhances the immune response against cancer by re-activating T-cell responses

Question 17

Describe effector-mediated mechanisms of cytotoxicity induced by therapeutic antibodies

Answer 17

Complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC)

Question 18

What is adoptive cell transfer?

Answer 18

Engineering patient’s own immune cells to target and kill cancer cells.

Question 19

How does CAR-T cell therapy treat cancer?

Answer 19

T-cells are engineered to express Chimeric-antigen receptors (CARs) that can directly recognize and attack tumor cells.

Question 20

Explain the function of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in cancer treatment.

Answer 20

They block tyrosine kinases involved in cell growth and division signals.

Question 21

Name a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia.

Answer 21

Imatinib

Question 22

Identify a major side effect of imatinib.

Answer 22

Fluid retention and GI symptoms

Question 23

How do cytotoxic antibiotics work in cancer treatment?

Answer 23

They intercalate into DNA, disrupting replication and transcription

Question 24

Explain how radioimmunotherapy treats cancer.

Answer 24

It delivers radiation directly to cancer cells through a radioactive substance linked to an antibody.

Question 25

Which enzyme is targeted by 5-fluorouracil?

Answer 25

Thymidylate synthase