Mechanisms/Drug Classes

Question 1

What is the mechanism of action of the inhibitors of thymidylate synthase?

Answer 1

Inhibition of thymidylate synthase, which decreases cellular availability of dTMP and causing “thymineless” cell death

Question 2

Fluorouracil (5-FU)

Answer 2

Inhibitor of thymidylate synthase

Question 3

Capecitabine

Answer 3

Inhibitor of thymidylate synthase

Question 4

Pemetrexed

Answer 4

Inhibitor of thymidylate synthase

Question 5

What is the mechanism of action of the inhibitors of purine metabolism?

Answer 5

Drug metabolites inhibit IMPDH and other synthetic enzymes, interfering with AMP and GMP synthesis

Question 6

6-Mercaptopurine (6-MP)

Answer 6

Inhibitor of purine metabolism

Question 7

azathiprine

Answer 7

Inhibitor of purine metabolism

Question 8

Pentostatin

Answer 8

Inhibitor of purine metabolism

Question 9

What is the mechanism of action of the inhibitors of ribonucleotide reductase?

Answer 9

Inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase, the enzyme that converts ribonucleotides to deoxyribonucleotides, which inhibits DNA synthesis

Question 10

hydroxyurea

Answer 10

inhibitor of ribonucleotide reductase

Question 11

What it the mechanism of action of purine and pyrimidine analogues that are incorporated into DNA?

Answer 11

Incorporation into DNA and RNA results in inhibition of DNA polymerase, causing cell death

Question 12

thioguanine

Answer 12

Guanine analogue

Question 13

fludarabine phosphate

Answer 13

fluorinated purine nucleotide analogue

Question 14

Cladribine

Answer 14

adenosine analogue

Question 15

cytarabine (araC)

Answer 15

Cytidine analogue

Question 16

5-Azacytidine

Answer 16

Cytidine analogue

Question 17

decitabine

Answer 17

Cytidine analogue

Question 18

gemcitabine

Answer 18

Fluorinated cytidine analogue

Question 19

What is the mechanism of action of alkylating agents (agents that directly modify DNA structure)?

Answer 19

They covalently bind DNA, often cross-link to DNA or associated proteins

Question 20

mechlorethamine

Answer 20

Alkylating agent

Question 21

melphalan

Answer 21

Alkylating agent

Question 22

estramustine

Answer 22

Alkylating agent

Question 23

chlorambucil

Answer 23

Alkylating agent

Question 24

mitomycin

Answer 24

Alkylating agent

Question 25

thiotepa

Answer 25

Alkylating agent

Question 26

carmustine

Answer 26

Alkylating agent

Question 27

dacarbazine

Answer 27

Alkylating agent

Question 28

procarbazine

Answer 28

Alkylating agent

Question 29

temozolomide

Answer 29

Alkylating agent

Question 30

ifosfamide

Answer 30

Alkylating agent

Question 31

What is the mechanism of action of platinum compounds? (agents that directly modify DNA structure)

Answer 31

Cross-link intrastrand guanine bases

Question 32

cisplatin

Answer 32

Platinum compound

Question 33

carboplatin

Answer 33

Platinum compound

Question 34

oxaliplatin

Answer 34

Platinum compound

Question 35

What is the mechanism of action of bleomycin?

Answer 35

Binds oxygen and chelates Fe(II); binds DNA and leads to strand breaks via generation of oxidative intermediates

Question 36

What is the mechanism of action of topoisomerase inhibitors?

Answer 36

Inhibition of topoisomerase I or II causes DNA strand break

Question 37

irinotecan

Answer 37

Topoisomerase inhibitor

Question 38

topotecan

Answer 38

Topoisomerase inhibitor

Question 39

doxorubicin

Answer 39

Topoisomerase inhibitor

Question 40

daunorubicin

Answer 40

Topoisomerase inhibitor

Question 41

epirubicin

Answer 41

Topoisomerase inhibitor

Question 42

etoposide

Answer 42

Topoisomerase inhibitor

Question 43

teniposide

Answer 43

Topoisomerase inhibitor

Question 44

amsacrine

Answer 44

Topoisomerase inhibitor

Question 45

What is the mechanism of action of agents that inhibit microtubule polymerization?

Answer 45

Bind tubulin and prevent microtubule polymerization (esp. during M phase)

Question 46

vinblastine

Answer 46

Inhibits microtubule polymerization

Question 47

vincristine

Answer 47

Inhibits microtubule polymerization

Question 48

eribulin

Answer 48

Inhibits microtubule polymerization

Question 49

What is the mechanism of action of agents that inhibit microtubule depolarization?

Answer 49

Bind polymerized tubulin and inhibits microtubule depolymerization (esp. during M phase)

Question 50

paclitaxel

Answer 50

Inhibits microtubule depolymerization

Question 51

abraxane

Answer 51

Inhibits microtubule depolymerization

Question 52

docetaxel

Answer 52

Inhibits microtubule depolymerization