Oncology Flashcards
What types of cancers cause the most deaths yearly?
Lung, stomach, liver, colon, and breast cancer cause the most deaths each year
What are the highest risk factors associated with developing cancer?
Tobacco use is the most important risk factor (22% of global cancer deaths and 71% of lung cancer deaths)
High body mass index
Low fruit and vegetable intake- due to antioxidants
Lack of physical activity
Alcohol use
What are the characteristics that cancer shares?
Uncontrolled proliferation
Local invasiveness
Tendency to metastasis
Changes in some aspect of original cell morphology
What is cancer cure defined as?
The disappearance of any evidence of tumor for 5 years and a high actuarial probability of a normal life span
What are the three principle methods that attempt to cure or palliate cancer?
Surgery
Radiotherapy
Chemotherapy
What does chemotherapy drugs do?
Inhibit rate of growth
Kill cancerous cells
Have minimal effects on non-neoplastic host cells
What do anticancer agents target?
Malignant cells in preference to non-malignant cells-through the molecular differences between them
What are the chemotherapeutic techniques?
Cytotoxic therapy
Endocrine therapy
Immunotherapy
Cytotoxic therapy- MOA
-Affect DNA synthesis
-Classified according to their site of action on the process of DNA synthesis within the cancer cell.
-Most active against cycling/proliferating cells
Normal – hair, skin, stomach lining, blood cells
Malignant- goal is to target these.
-Phase specific killing–drugs that are effective at killing cycling cells during specific parts of the cell cycle.
-Cycle specific–cytotoxic throughout the cell cycle
Cytotoxic drugs have a low selectivity for what non-cancer cells that undergo rapid division?
GI
Bone Marrow
Reproductive
Immune systems
Why can selectivity occur w/some cancers for cytotoxic drugs?
- Malignant tumors have a higher proportion of cells undergoing proliferation than in normal proliferating tissues.
- Normal cells recover from chemotherapeutic inhibition faster than some cancer cells.
- Synchronized cell cycling may leave discrete period of vulnerability to cytotoxic drugs
How do cytotoxic drugs work?
Cytotoxic drugs kill a constant fraction, not a constant number of cells; lays down the foundation for chemotherapeutic dosing schedules.
Cytotoxic drugs- resistance
Genetic resistance
Inherited to the cancer cell line- drugs don’t work on it at all
Acquired during the course of chemotherapy as a result of selection by the agent.
If you don’t give enough or stick to the right therapy then the patient can develop immunity.
Cytotoxic drugs- MOA of resistance
Abnormal transport
Decreased cellular retention- cell doesn’t retain the drug that you are giving
Increased cellular inactivation (binding/metabolism)- binds or metabolizes the drug away
Altered target protein
Enhanced repair of DNA- respond more like normal cells to recover faster.
Altered processing
When where can resistance for cancer chemotherapy occur if cancer is in pharmacologic sanctuaries?
Blood-brain barrier- cancers in here are hardter to treat because of the bateir and you need the meds to get past the BBB so end up doing surgery.
Large solid tumor w/low blood supply and diffusion
What are the cytotoxic agents?
- Alkylating agents
- Antimetabolites
- Cytotoxic antibiotics
- Mitotic (Microtubule) inhibitors
- Miscellaneous agents
Where are alkylating agents capable of introducting alkyl groups into?
Capable of introducing alkyl groups into nucleophilic sites on other molecules through the formation of covalent bonds.
What are the nucleophilic targets of alkylating agents?
Nucleophilic Targets—present in macromolecules and low molecular weight compounds w/in cells:
Sulfhydryl Hydroxyl
Amino Carboxyl
Phosphate Imidazole
What are the macromolecular sites of alkylation damamage of alkylating agents?
DNA
RNA
Various enzymes
DNA synthesis inhibition requires lower drug concentrations than inhibition of RNA and protein synthesis.
Nitrogen mustards- Mechlorethamine (Mustargen)- pharmacokinetics
Plasma half-life after IV injection ~ 10 minutes (really fast)
Little or no intact drug excreted in urine (body destroys really quickly)
Nitrogen mustards- Mechlorethamine (Mustargen)- Indications
Major—Hodgkin’s disease
Treated w/MOPP (meclorethamine, (Oncovin) vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone)
Less reactive nitrogen mustards now preferred for treatment of non-Hodgkins lymphomas, leukemias and various solid tumors.
Nitrogen mustards- Mechlorethamine (Mustargen)- dose-limiting toxicities
MYELOSUPPRESSION
Maximal leukopenia and thrombocytopenia occurs w/in 10-14 days post administration—recovery complete 21-28 days.
Lymphopenia and immunosuppression may lead to activation of latent herpes zoster.
Nitrogen mustards- Mechlorethamine (Mustargen)- ADRs
Will affect rapidly proliferating normal tissues and cause: Alopecia, Diarrhea, Oral ulceration.
N/V/ 1-2 hours after inj can last up to 24 hours
Causes blistering—avoid extravasations and spillage
Reproductive toxicities
Amenorrhea
Inhibitor of oogenesis and spermatogenesis
½ premenopausal women and almost all men treated for 6 mo. w/MOPP become sterile.
Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxin)- MOA
Alkylating Agents
Must be activated by P450 enzyme system
Cytotoxic metabolites include (products that are seen when cyclophosphamide is metabolized but if you give a P450 inhibitor then you wont get these)
Phosphoramide mustard
acrolein
What is the most versatile and useful nitrogen mustart?
Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxin)
Broadest spectrum of antitumor activity of all alkylating agents.
Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxin)- Indications
Lymphomas
CVP-cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisone
Substitute cyclophosphamide for mechlorethamine in MOPP becomes COPP
Curative in Burkitt’s lymphoma
Orally used for less aggressive tumors such as:
Nodular lymphomas and myelomas
Breast cancer
CMF-add MTX and 5-fluorouracil
Cancer of testes and cervix
Alterantive to azathiaprine in organ transplants to prevent rejection
Also SLE (nephrotic syndrome), RA
Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxin)- Dose-limiting toxicity
- Bone marrow suppression—affects WBC > platelets
- Occurs maximal 10-14 days post administration
- Recovery occurs 21-28 days
- Impairs function of both humoral and cellular (B & T cells) immune systems
Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxin)- ADRs
- -Increased risk of infection–Alopecia, Cystitis, Dysuria (Decreased urinary frequency, Rarely fibrosis and permanently decreased bladder capacity.)
- -Large IV doses: Impairment of renal fxn, Hyponatremia, Increased urine osmolarity, Subendocardial necrosis, Arrhythmias, CHF, Interstitial pulmonary fibrosis
- -Chronic treatment–Infertility, Amenorrhea, Mutagenesis, carcinogenesis
Ifosfamide- MOA
Alkylating agents Analogue of cyclophosphamide Requires metabolic activation to form 4-hydroxy-ifosfamide Kinetics similar to cyclophosphamide Activity against broad-spectrum tumors Germ cell cancer of the testes-more active than cyclo Lymphomas Sarcomas Ca of lung, breast, and ovary
Ifosfamide- ADRs
Less mylosuppressive than cyclophosphamide
More toxic to the bladder
Alopecia
N/V
Infertility
Secondary tumors like acute leukemia
Neurologic symptoms – Confusion, Somnolence, Hallucinations
What drug can be co-administered w/ ifosfamide to help avoid hemorrhagic cystitis?
Mesna (Mesnex)
What are the antimetabolites?
Folic acid antagonist (Methotrexate)
Antipyrimidines (Fluorouracil and Cytarabine)
Antipurines (Mercaptopurine)
Antimetabolites (Folic acid antagonist (Methotrexate), Antipyrimidines (Fluorouracil and Cytarabine), Antipurines (Mercaptopurine))- MOA
Analogues of normal metabolites acting through competition, replacing the natural metabolite, subverting the cellular processes.
Methotrexate- MOA
Antimetabolite
Competitively antagonizes dihydrofolate reductase preventing regeneration of intermediates (tetrahydrofolate) essential for the synthesis of purine and thymidylate thus inhibiting the synthesis of DNA.
What must you administer daily with methotrexate?
1 mg folic acid
Methotrexate- ROA
Orally, IV, IM, IT intrathecal (into the spine)
Methotrexate- Indications
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma Burkitt’s lymphoma Rheumatoid arthritis Psoriasis
Methotrexate- Monitoring
Chest X-ray q 6 months- infiltrates
LFTs q 6 months-long term use may lead to fibrosis
CBC
Methotrexate- Contraindications and cautions
Pregnancy (abortifacient) or breast feeding Liver disease Impaired renal function Immunodeficiency syndrome Pre-existing blood dyscrasias
Methotrexate- ADRs
PULMONARY FIBROSIS HEPATIC FIBROSIS, ACUTE TOXICITY, CIRRHOSIS Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia Neurotoxicity--Malaise, Fatigue, Dizziness, HA, Drowsiness, Seizures N/V/D Alopecia Urticaria Pruritus hyperpigmentation
Fluorouracil (5-FU)- MOA
Antometabolite
Converted into a pyrimidine nucleotide, fluorodeoxyuridine monophosphate, inhibiting thymidylate synthetase impairing DNA synthesis.
Fluorouracil (5-FU)- ROA
IV usually, but can be administered orally or topically
Fluorouracil (5-FU)- Indications
Solid tumors
Malignant skin conditions
Palliative management of colon, rectal, ovarian or breast ca (not curing)
Superficial basal cell carcinoma
Fluorouracil (5-FU)- Contraindications
Bone marrow suppression
Impaired renal function
Fluorouracil (5-FU)- ADRs
Confusion, disorientation, euphoria Myocardial ischemia Nystagmus N/V/D Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis Alopecia, dermatitis
Cytarabine- MOA
Antimetabolite
converted intracellularly to a triphosphate form that inhibits DNA polymerase.
6-Mercaptopurine- MOA
Antimetabolite
MOA: converted into a purine nucleotide that impairs DNA synthesis.
What are the cytotoxic antibiotics?
Dactinomycin (actinomycin D)
Bleomycin (Blenoxane)
Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)
Daunorubicin (Cerubidine)
Cytotoxic antibiotics- Dactinomycin (actinomycin D), Bleomycin (Blenoxane), Doxorubicin (Adriamycin), Daunorubicin (Cerubidine))- MOA
Anthracycline antibiotics (doxorubicin/daunorubicin)-3 major activities depending on the type of cell; work best in the S and G2 phase.
Intercalation in DNA; binding cell membranes; generation of O2 radicals
Dactinomycin prevents transcription by interfering w/RNA polymerase
Bleomycin acts to fragment DNA chains.
Cytotoxic antibiotics- Dactinomycin (actinomycin D), Bleomycin (Blenoxane), Doxorubicin (Adriamycin), Daunorubicin (Cerubidine))- ROA
IV
Doxorubicin can be given intravesically for bladder cancer
Cytotoxic antibiotics- Dactinomycin (actinomycin D), Bleomycin (Blenoxane), Doxorubicin (Adriamycin), Daunorubicin (Cerubidine))- Indications
Dactinomycin is primarily used in pediatric cancers
Doxorubicin is used for acute leukemias, lymphomas and various solid tumors.
Bleomycin is used for lymphomas and some solid tumors.
Cytotoxic antibiotics- Dactinomycin (actinomycin D), Bleomycin (Blenoxane), Doxorubicin (Adriamycin), Daunorubicin (Cerubidine))- ADRs
Generalized cytotoxicity
DOXORUBICIN PRODUCES DOSE-DEPENDENT CARDIOTOXICITY AS A RESULT OF IRREVERSIBLE FREE RADICAL DAMAGE TO THE MYOCARDIUM
BLEOMYCIN MAY CAUSE PULMONARY FIBROSIS
What are the mitotic inhibitors- plant derived products?
Etoposide
Vinca alkaloids
Vincristine
Vinblastine
Vinorelbine
Mitotic inhibitors- Etoposide, Vinca Alkaloids (Vincristine, Vinblastine, Vinorelbine)- MOA
Act by binding tubulin and inhibiting the polymerization of microtubules which is necessary to form the mitotic spindle.
This prevents mitosis and arrests dividing cells at metaphase.
Mitotic inhibitors- Etoposide, Vinca Alkaloids (Vincristine, Vinblastine, Vinorelbine)- ROA
The vinca alkaloids are administered intravenously
Etoposide orally or IV
Mitotic inhibitors- Etoposide, Vinca Alkaloids (Vincristine, Vinblastine, Vinorelbine)- Indications
Mitotic inhibitors are used for:
Acute leukemia
Lymphomas
Some solid tumors
Mitotic inhibitors- Etoposide, Vinca Alkaloids (Vincristine, Vinblastine, Vinorelbine)- ADRs
Phlebitis or cellulitis if drug extravasates
N/V/D, alopecia
Vincristine produces little or no bone marrow suppression
Does cause:
NEUROLOGICAL EFFECTS
CAUSING PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY
LEADING TO PARASTHESIAS
LOSS OF REFLEXES AND WEAKNESSES
Recovery from these side effects does occur but slowly.
Mitotic inhibitors- Etoposide, Vinca Alkaloids (Vincristine, Vinblastine, Vinorelbine)- Contraindications
Never give vinca alkaloids intrathecally, is usually fatal.
Taxanes- Paclitaxel (Taxol)- MOA and Indication
Mitotic inhibitors
Promotes polymerization and stabilization of microtubulesdysfunctionalcell death
Tx ovarian and breast cancer
Premedicate with benadryl and dexamethasone to prevent hypersensitivty rxn (dyspnea, urticaria, hypotension)
Taxanes- Paclitaxel (Taxol)- Dose-limiting toxicity
Dose-limiting toxicity= neutropenia; treat with filgastim (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor)
V/D uncommon; alopecia; peripheral neuropathy are side effects that you can see.
Procarbazine- MOA and ROA
Methylhydrazine derivative w/monoamine oxidase inhibitor actions and cytotoxicity.
It inhibits DNA and RNA synthesis by a mechanism that is unclear.
ROA- Oral
Procarbazine- Indications
Hodgkin’s disease- part of MOPP
Procarbazine- ADRs
- Disulfiram-type reaction with ETOH
- N/V/D, neurotoxic (hallucinations to paresthesias), bone marrow depression (increased risk of infection)
L-Asparaginase (Elspar)- MOA
Enzyme
- Catalyzes the hydrolysis of l-asparagine to aspartic acid and ammonia.
- L-glutamine also undergoes hydrolysis by this enzyme.
- Depletion of exogenous asparagine and glutamine inhibits protein synthesis in cells lacking asparagine synthetase
L-Asparaginase (Elspar)- Indications
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia-complete remission in 50-60% of patients
- Lack of cross-resistance and bone marrow toxicity make the enzyme useful in combo tx.
- Also used in some types of lymphoma
L-Asparaginase (Elspar)- ADRs
- Foreign protein– Hypersensitivity rxn, Urticaria, Anaphylaxis
- GI–Nausea, Anorexia,Wt. Loss
- Hepatotoxicity
- CNS– Drowsiness/ Confusion, Impaired mentation/ Coma
- Hyperglycemia w/inhibition of insulin synthesis
- L-Asparaginase lacks bone marrow, GI and hair follicle toxicity.
What is a benefit of L-Asparaginase (Elspar)?
It does not cause allopecia
Cisplatin (Platinol)- MOA
Inorganic complex w/a broad range of antitumor activity
MOA:
Binds to DNA at nucleophilic sites, such as the N7 and O6 of guanine, producing alterations in DNA structure and inhibition of DNA synthesis.
Adjacent guanine residues on the same DNA strand are preferentially cross-linked. Very similar to alkylating agents.
Also binds to proteins.
Is not phase specific in the cell cycle.
Cisplatin (Platinol)- pharmicokinetics
> 90% protein bound
Does not cross BBB (cannot be used in brain tumors)
Renally excreted (need dose adjustments for renal failure patients)
Cisplatin (Platinol)- indications
W/bleomycin and vinblastine or etoposide produces cures in most pts. w/metastic testicular cancer or germ cell cancer of the ovary.
Some activity against carcinomas of the head and neck, bladder, cervix, prostate and lung.
Cisplatin (Platinol)- ADRs
- RENAL TOXICITY
- Severe N/V possibly needing hospitalization
- Mild bone marrow toxicity– Leukopenia, Thrombocytopenia, Anemia is common and may require transfusions of RBCs
- Hearing loss in high frequencies in 10-30%
- Peripheral neuropathies, paresthesias, leg weakness
- Excessive urinary excretion of Magnesium.
Carboplatin (Paraplatin)- MOA
Analogue of cisplatin
Carboplatin (Paraplatin)- Kinetics
Plasma half life 3-5 hours (shorter than cisplatin)
No significant protein binding
Renally excreted
Carboplatin (Paraplatin)- Indications
Ovarian carcinomas
Small cell lung cancers
Germ cell cancers of the testis
Most cancers resistant to cisplatin are cross-resistant to carboplatin.
What is the advantage of using carboplatin over cisplatin?
reduced toxicity of the kidneys, peripheral nerves and hearing.
Less N/V
BUT More myelosuppressive
Carboplatin (Paraplatin)- ADRs
Anemia
Abnormal liver fxn
Occ. Allergic rxns
What is the major dose limiting toxicity of many chemotherapeutic drugs including alkylating agents, anthracyclines, and antimetabolites?
Myelosuppression
Limits many chemo regimens to dosing intervals of every 2-3 weeks or longer
Particularly affected are short lived WBCs and platelets (get leukopenia and thrombocytopenia)
Suppression of the ANC below what increases the risk of infection?
<500 is really bad
What might decreased myelosuppression?
May be decreased by employing a colony stimulating factor following chemotherapy
CSFs appear to act as intracellular signals to activate certain target cells
What are the CSFs that stimulate neutraphils?
GM-CSF sargramostim (Leukine and Prokine)
G-CSF filgrastim (Neupogen)
PEG filgrastim (Neulasta)
What are the CSFs that stimulate RBC?
Erythropoietin (EPO) and darbepoetin (Aranesp)
Use when Hgb is less than 10 and stop therapy when 12.
CSFs- ADRs
- All can cause bone pain
- GM-CSF may also cause rashes, fever and occasionally dyspnea and/or pulmonary edema
What is febrile neutropenia?
Fever (> 38.3◦C) in conjunction with an ANC < 1000
How can febrile neutropenia be prevented?
-Sterile technique when accessing central lines
-CSFs
Indicated when patient is receiving a chemotherapy regimen with a significant (> 40%) risk of febrile neutropenia
What is the antibiotic treatment of febrile neutropenia?
Management: Hospitilization Broad-spectrum abx Cefepime Piperacillin + tazobactam Imipenem or meropenem Aminoglycoside + antipseudomonal penicillin (e.g. piperacillin) Monotherapy no employed for severe infections
What is the CSF treatment of febrile neutropenia?
Prophylaxis: continuation until ANC recovery for patients receiving a chemo regimen with high potential of causing FN
(If not instituted in a prophylactic manner) Begin at onset of FN
What is the antifungal therapy of febrile neutropenia?
- An fungicidal agent is usually initiated in patients with FN who are still febrile and neutropenic after 4-7 days of broad spec abx, or who develop sepsis unresponsive to broad spec abx
- Most invasive fungal infections are due to candidiasis or aspergillosis
- Amphotericin B (conventional or Liposomal- liposomal is how its prepared, its harder to dose due to preperation) (DOC)
What is an extravasation injury?
Escape of chemotherapy agents into subcutaneous tissue, resulting in tissue injury
What are the two types of extravasation injury?
Those that do not bind to tissue nucleic acids
Cause immediate tissue damage but are quickly metabolized or inactivated (similar to a burn)- need to be stopped
Vincristine, Vinblastine, mechlorethamine, and carmustine
Those that bind tissue nucleic acids
Cause immediate tissue injury and lodge in the tissues, binding to DNA and creating a more prolonged course
Results in most destructive damage, necrosis or skin and tissues
Anthracyclines (daunorubicin, doxorubicin), dactinomycin, mitomycin C
These are all chemotherapy abx.
What is the prevention for extravasation injuries?
- Indwelling central venous catheters are the best preventative measure
- Flexible catheters are suggested
- Best to admin through free flowing IV
- Assure catheter is in vein just prior to admin- with xray
- Stop infusion upon any complaint of burning, stinging, or if local swelling occurs
- Intermittent ice packs and raise extremity
What are the antidotes for extravasation injuries?
Controversial- but are still used
DMSO- dimethyl sulfoxide
Hyaluronidase: vinca alkaloid extravastion
Surgery- usually involves cutting off tissue.
Consult plastic surgery
What is mucositis?
Mucosal injury from chemotherapy (Mucositisis the painfulinflammationandulcerationof themucous membraneslining thedigestive tract, usually as an adverse effect ofchemotherapyandradiotherapytreatment for cancer.)
What is involved with mucositis?
- Chemo or radiation interferes with mitosis
- Usually lasts 3-5 days, seen 5-7 days after chemo or radiation
- Most commonly associated with high dose methotrexate, 5-FU and anthracyclines
- Virtually all patients who receive radiation to the head and neck
What is the grading system for mucositis?
Grade 0- no mucositis
Grade 1- painless ulcers, erythema, or mild soreness
Grade 2- painful erythema, edema, or ulcers but can eat
Grade 3- the patient has painful erythema, edema, or ulcers and cannot eat
Grade 4- the patient requires parenteral or enteral support
What mucousa is the most often affected in mucositis?
Mucosa most often affected is non-keratinized
Labial, buccal, soft palate, floor of mouth, ventral surface of tongue
How do you prevent mucositis?
Correct any oral disease (poor hygiene, periodontal disease etc.)
CSFs following myelosuppressive chemotherapy may decrease severity and duration of mucositis
(Not initiated to treat mucositis but may help)
Amifostine
Prevention of mucositis
Prodrug converted to an active sulfhydryl compound, that protects normal cells by scavenging free radicals and binding to active metabolites
Decreases frequency nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, and myelosuppression from cisplatin
ADR: hypotension, N/V, may decrease effect of chemo or radiation
Palifermin
Prevention of mucositis
Synthetic keratinocyte growth factor (single course therapy ~ $9,900)
What are the places that tumors inhibit that drive hormone dependent tumors and should be removed surgically?
Glands
Adrenals
Pituitary
What are the hormone derivatives?
Prednisone Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) Flutamide (Eulexin) Buserelin (Suprefact) Leuprolide (Lupron) Estrogens
Prednisone- Indications
Adrenalcorticol steroids
Indications in cancer use
Inhibit the growth of cancers of the lymphoid tissues and blood
Treat some of the complications associated with cancer
Tamoxifen (Nolvadex)- MOA
Estrogen Antagonist (hormone derivative)
- Normally estrogens bind to cytoplasmic protein receptors forming hormone-receptor complex which induces the synthesis of ribosomal RNA and messenger RNA.
- Binds to estrogen receptors and competes w/endogenous estrogens.
- The drug-receptor complex has little or not estrogen agonist activity.
- Tamoxifen directly inhibits growth of human breast cancer cell that contain estrogen receptors.
Tamoxifen (Nolvadex)- Indications
Synthetic antiestrogen used in the treatment of breast cancer.
Tamoxifen (Nolvadex)- kinetics
- Slowly absorbed-maximum serum levels achieved 4-7 hours after oral admin.
- Drug concentrate where estrogen receptors are located such as: Ovaries, Uterus, Vaginal epithelium, Breast
- Drug is metabolized through hydoxylation (not a lot of drug indications) and glucuronidation of the aromatic rings.
- Excretion in the feces.
Tamoxifen (Nolvadex)- ADRs
- Hot flashes
- Vaginal dryness or discharge
- Nausea
- Exacerbation of bone pain and hypercalcemia may occur.
What percent of women with ER-Positive will have a remission with tamoxifen?
60% of women w/ER-positive will have a remission as opposed to 10% w/ER-negative tumors.
Flutamide (Eulexin)- MOA
Hormone derivative
- Nonsteroidal antiandrogen that competes w/testosterone for binding to androgen receptors.
- Flutamide prevents the stimulation of tumor growth that may occur as a result of the transient increase in testosterone secretion after the initiation of leuprolide therapy.
Flutamide (Eulexin)- indications
Used to treat cancer of the prostate in conjunction w/pharmacologic castration produced by the gonadotropen-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist Leuprolide
Drug is well absorbed orally
Flutamide (Eulexin)- ADRs
- Hot flashes- usually males don’t experience this but they can do to the anti-testosterone effects
- Loss of libido
- Impotence
- N/D
Buserelin (Suprefact) and Leuprolide (Lupron)- MOA
Hormone derivative
- Peptide analogues of the hypothalmic hormone, Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH).
- Chronic exposure of the pituitary to theses agents abolishes gonadotropin release and results in markedly decreased estrogen and testosterone production by the gonads.
Buserelin (Suprefact) and Leuprolide (Lupron)- indication and ADRs
Indication
Palliative hormonal therapy of prostate cancer
ADRs
Hot flashes
Buserelin (Suprefact) and Leuprolide (Lupron)- Therapeutic note
Leuprolide is a potent LH-RH agonist for the first several days to a few weeks after initiation of therapy. It initially stimulates testosterone production. Therefore it should be used in combination w/flutamide.
Estrogens
Hormone derivative
- Diethylstilbestrol (a form of estrogen- used to be used for menopause)
- Has an antiandrogenic effect used to suppress androgen-dependent prostatic cancers.
What are the approaches for immunomodulating agents?
- Tumor specific monoclonal antibodies to target drugs specifically to cancerous cells .
- Vaccines to provide non-specific immunostimulation.
- Vaccines prepared using tumor cells from similar cancers to raise an adaptive immune response against the cancer.
- Drugs for immunostimulation
- Cytokines to regulate the immune response to target cancer. Cytokines include interferon alpha, interleukin-2, and tumor necrosis factor.
- Use of recombinant colony stimulating factors to reduce the level and duration of neutropenia
- Recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor promoting the development of hematopietic stem cells in the marrow. Raises WBC but has not been shown to increase overall survival.
What is the function of interferons?
Immunomodulating agent
Can reduce the rate of some cancerous tumors and leukemias
What is the function of interleukins?
Immunomodulating agent
Activate lymphocytes to destroy cancer cells
Interferon Alfa 2b (Intron A)- MOA
Recombinant DNA derived from the interferon alfa-2b gene of human WBCs
MOA: binding to plasma membrane receptor but unclear.
Plasma half-life 2-3 hours after parenteral administration
Interferon Alfa 2b (Intron A)- Indications
RARE FORM OF CHRONIC LEUKEMIA (PRIME INDICATION)
HAIRY CELL LEUKEMIA- REMISSIONS IN 60-80% OF PATIENTS (PRIME INDICATION)
Remissions lasting a few months in 10-20% of patients being treated for:
Lymphomas
Multiple myeloma
Melanoma
Renal cell carcinoma
Ovarian carcinoma
Interferon Alfa 2b (Intron A)- ADRs
FEVER
FLULIKE SYNDROME–Muscle aches, Fatigue, HA, Anorexia, N/D
Other effects
Leukopenia
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Interleukins- Aldesleukin (IL-2, Proleukin) and Human recombinant interleukin-2 protein- MOA
enhancement of T-lymphocyte cytotoxicity,
induction of natural killer cell activity
induction of interferon gamma production.
Interleukins- Aldesleukin (IL-2, Proleukin) and Human recombinant interleukin-2 protein- ADRs
- FATALITY RATE OF 5%
- SEVERE HPOTN IN 85% OF PATIENTS WHICH -MAY LEAD TO MIs, PULMONARY EDEMA, AND STROKES (HPOTN is thought to be due to a capillary leak syndrome.)
- N/V/D
- Stomatitis
- Anorexia
- Altered mental status
- Fevers and fatigue.
- Avoid in patients w/cardiac, pulmonary, renal, hepatic or CNS condition.
What antiemetics are commonly used in cancer patients?
Ondansetron and dexamethasone
