FB - Principles of Pharmacology of Anti-Cancer Drugs Flashcards
What is the mechanism of action of alkylating agents?
They cross-link DNA, inhibiting DNA replication and transcription.
What are the major toxicities of alkylating agents?
Myelosuppression, leukemogenesis, alopecia.
How do antimetabolites function as cancer drugs?
They interfere with DNA and RNA synthesis by mimicking building blocks.
Which antimetabolite is specifically used for treating leukemia ?
Methotrexate
What is the primary adverse effect of methotrexate?
Myelosuppression
Describe the mechanism of action of vinblastine in cancer therapy
It binds to the polymerising end, preventing elongation of the microtubule thereby inhibiting cell division.
Describe the mechanism of action of paclitaxel in cancer therapy
It stabilises the microtubule, preventing shortening or depolymerisation.
Name a plant alkaloid used in cancer treatment.
Vinblastine
What is a significant side effect of vinblastine?
Peripheral neuropathy
What is the role of topoisomerase inhibitors in cancer treatment?
They interfere with transcription and replication of DNA by disruption of appropriate DNA supercoiling
Give an example of a type 1 topoisomerase inhibitor
Irinotecan
Identify a key toxicity of irinotecan
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
Name a taxane used in cancer treatment
Paclitaxel
What are the mechanisms of action of neutralising antibodies in cancer therapy?
It binds to cell surface receptors or extracellular ligands to block cancer cell survival or blood vessel formation.
Provide an example of a monoclonal antibody used in cancer
Bevacizumab
What is the mechanism of action of checkpoint inhibitors in cancer?
It enhances the immune response against cancer by re-activating T-cell responses
Describe effector-mediated mechanisms of cytotoxicity induced by therapeutic antibodies
Complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC)
What is adoptive cell transfer?
Engineering patient’s own immune cells to target and kill cancer cells.
How does CAR-T cell therapy treat cancer?
T-cells are engineered to express Chimeric-antigen receptors (CARs) that can directly recognize and attack tumor cells.
Explain the function of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in cancer treatment.
They block tyrosine kinases involved in cell growth and division signals.
Name a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia.
Imatinib
Identify a major side effect of imatinib.
Fluid retention and GI symptoms
How do cytotoxic antibiotics work in cancer treatment?
They intercalate into DNA, disrupting replication and transcription
Explain how radioimmunotherapy treats cancer.
It delivers radiation directly to cancer cells through a radioactive substance linked to an antibody.
Which enzyme is targeted by 5-fluorouracil?
Thymidylate synthase
