Misc Anticancer Agents Flashcards
Which of the following statements is incorrect?
A. Demethylation always restores normal gene function
B. DNA methylation is often used for gene silencing and regulation
C. Azacitidine is teratogenic
D. Endocrine (hormone) therapy seldom causes major organ toxicity
E. Prostate cancer can be detected early using PSA
(A) Demethylation can SOMETIMES restore normal gene function while selectively killing cells that have stopped responding to the body’s cellular proliferation control process
True or False - If hormones are withdrawn or antagonized, tumors that are derived from tissues that are dependent on endogenous hormones for growth and function will be expected to regress?
True
Which of the following statements regarding hormone anticancer therapy is incorrect?
A. Useful in the Tx of certain leukemias and lymphomas
B. Alternative therapy for tumors that derive from tissues dependent on endogenous hormones for growth and function
C. Most common hormone dependent cancers are prostate cancer and breast cancer
D. PSA test cannot differentiate between cancer and other prostate problems
E. All of the above are true
(D) PSA test CAN differentiate between cancer and other prostate problems and is essential for screening for prostate cancer
Which of the following statements regarding hormone agonists is incorrect?
A. They suppress production of testosterone in the testis and/or block its effect at tissue receptors
B. Hormone agonists resemble LHRH (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone)
C. Slow onset of therapeutic effects
D. Common SE are hot flashes, loss of libido, impotence
E. All of the above are true
(E) all of the above are true
*A - Even though they are hormone AGONISTS, they block the effects of testosterone at the receptor. This occurs b/c of a negative feedback mechanism which results in a decreased number of receptors
All of the following are Hormone agonists, except?
A. Leuprolide B. Goserelin C. Buserelin D. Toremifene E. All of the above are hormone agonists
(D) Toremifene is NOT a hormone agonist, it is a SERM used in breast cancer Tx
True or False - 5a-reductase inhibitors, 17a-hydroxylase inhibitors (ketaconazol), and aromatase inhibitors can all be used in combination with traditional anticancer meds to Tx cancer?
True
Which androgen antagonist is orally available, has long plasma half-life (1 week), and is used in the Tx of non-metastatic prostate cancer?
Bicalutamide (Casodex ®)
Which SERM with poor oral availability that is administered IM should you NOT give to pregnant women, patients on anticoagulants, or patients with thrombocytopenia?
Fulvestrant (Faslodex ®)
Which androgen antagonist used in the Tx of prostate cancer has an active metabolite that can also bind to and block the androgen receptor?
Flutamide (Eulexin ®)
Which SERM, that can be used successfully for years without resistance issues, is less potent than Tamoxifen b/c it’s halogenated?
Toremifene (Fareston ®)
Which anticancer agent administered SQ is used in the Tx of myelodysplastic syndrome?
Azacitidine (Vidaza ®)
Which androgen antagonist, used in Tx of metastatic prostate cancer, has an intermediate plasma half-life in-between Bicalutamide and Flutamide?
Nilutamide
Which SERM is used in the Tx of estrogen-dependent breast cancer AFTER primary Tx with chemo or surgery
Tamoxifen
Which SERM, used in Tx of breast and uterine cancer where Tamoxifen failed, undergoes hydrolysis generating Acolbifene which is 200x more potent than Tamoxifen?
EM-800
Which of the following statements regarding enzyme therapy is incorrect?
A. Normal cells are able to synthesize their own asparagine
B. Effective as a monotherapy
C. Adding asparaginase enzyme therapy keeps proliferation of leukemia under control by increasing asparagine concentration
D. malignant lymphocytic leukemia cells can’t synthesize their own asparagine
E. Both B & C
(E) both B and C are false - Aspariginase is NOT effective as a monotherapy and is used in combination with other drugs. Also aspariginase will DEPLETE serum asparaginase and the leukemia cells will no longer be able to survive
*D - malignant lymphocytic leukemia cells need exogenous asparagine to survive b/c they can’t produce it themselves