L16 - Chemotherapy Flashcards
Imatinib
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor
Tumour selective (targeted)
Fewer side effects
- blocks the catalytic aspect of tyrosine kinase which prevents the formation of abnormal proteins
- prevents chronic myeloid leukaemia
Purines
Adenine and Guanine
Pyridimines
Cytosine and thymine (uracil in RNA)
Factors that affect tumour growth
- growth fraction
- duration of the cell cycle
- rate of cell loss
Number of cells required for detection of tumour
1 x 10^9
Number of cells of tumour not viable for life
1 x 10^12
- short window for detection
When does Chemotherapy work
Only works when cells are in the cell cycle
Fractional cell kill hypothesis
- When chemotherapy drug is administered tumour cells and other rapidly dividing cells decrease e.g. in bone marrow
- The bone marrow cells recover more quickly than tumour cells therefore the next cycle of chemotherapy is given when bone marrow cells have recovered
- Overall, there is minor reduction in bone marrow cells therefore give supportive treatment
Cancers that have a high sensitivity to chemotherapy
Lymphomas Germ cell tumour Small cell lung carcinoma Neuroblastoma Wilm’s tumour
Cancers that have a moderate sensitivity to chemotherapy
Breast Bladder Ovary Cervical Colorectal
Cancers that have a low sensitivity to chemotherapy
Prostate
Renal cell carcinoma
Endometrial
Brain tumours
Cytotoxic agents
Antimetabolites - inhibit DNA synthesis
Alkylating agents - act on DNA to impair replication
Intercalating agents - prevent DNA transcription and duplication
Spindle poisons - prevent mitosis
Alkylating agents mechanism of action
- Forms a ligands bond between 2 DNA strands therefore the DNA cannot uncoil for the replication fork when dividing
- Single strand break occurs - cell dies by apoptosis or necrosis
Platinum compounds
Formation of platinated inter and intrastrand adducts (ligand bonds) causing inhibition of DNA synthesis
Intrastrand adducts:
G-G 55%
G-A 31%
Antimetabolite example and mechanism
Methotrexate:
- inhibits dihydrofolate reductase therefore inhibits purine synthesis
5 - fluorouracil
- thymidylate synthase inhibitor
- inhibits purine synthesis