oncology 3 Flashcards
alkylating agents function
Inducing binding within DNA strands and by preventing DNA function and replication.
end result: cell reproduction and protein synthesis are arrested
antimetabolites function
- structurally similar to these endogenous metabolites and compete with these compounds during DNA/RNA biosynthesis
– interrupt cellular pathways that synthesize DNA and RNA
antibiotics function
- incorporated into the DNA strand: intercalated (inserted)
between base pairs in the DNA strand. - cause a disruption or lysis of the DNA strand.
- prevent the synthesis of DNA and to a lesser degree RNA and protein
synthesis
- antimicrotubule agents
Disrupt the normal function of the spindle apparatus (mitotic spindle) and prevent the cell from dividing and proliferating
- bind to microtubule
- topoisomerase inhibitors
- topoisomerase catalyzes the cutting and re-ligating of DNA strands during the unwinding/rewinding process of DNA replication.
- The inhibitors render the cell unable to replicate.
- anticancer hormones
several forms of cancer are hormone sensitive, because they tend to be exacerbated by certain hormones and attenuated by others
AGENTS THAT TARGET CELL SURFACE GLYCOPROTEINS, GROWTH FACTOR RECEPTORS, AND LIGANDS
Bind to targets on or in cancer cells and transmit intracellular
signals resulting in cell death, deliver chemotherapeutic agents
to the disease site, or prevent cell growth and proliferation.
platinum coordination complexes
Form strong cross-links between and within DNA strands,
thereby preventing DNA translation and replication.
* Distorting the DNA structure and causing cellular damage
cytokines
stimulate the immune mechanisms by increasing proliferation and activity of immune cells that destroy abnormal cell proliferation
(cancer cells) without harming normal cells
chemotherapy effects
- alopecia
- GI toxicity
- myelosuppression
- fatigue
- cardiotoxicity
- pulmonary toxicity
- renal toxicity
- hepatic toxicity
- neuropathies
myelosuppression
- The inhibition of bone marrow cells
Fewer red cells → anemia
Fewer white cells (leukopenia)→ infections and fever
Fewer platelets → bleeding
neutropenia
- gram positive infections
- gram negative infections
- reduced number of neutrophils
- gram positive infections are most common
- gram negative infections are the most serious
fatigue
Persistent, distressing, subjective sense of physical, emotional,
and/or cognitive tiredness related to cancer or cancer treatment
that is not relieved by rest and is disproportional with recent
activity.
cardiotoxicity
manifestation of cardiomyopathy [heart failure, arrhythmias, myocarditis]
insidious cancer cells
expel drugs out of cell with a glycoprotein and inactivate drugs
- can repair DNA strand in cancerous cells
renal toxicity
Many chemo agents, antibiotics, and other drugs used in cancer treatment are metabolized and excreted by the kidneys.
tumor lysis syndrome
Cytotoxic drugs destroy malignant cells → release large amounts of intracellular ions and metabolic byproducts → kidneys are unable to tolerate the sudden load
what two factors mediate the effects of chemotherapy?
- granulocyte colony stimulating factor [G-CSF]
- granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor [GM-CSF]
**these are used for prolonged neutrophil count loss
erythropoietin is used to…
treat anemia to boost production of RBCs
adoptive cell therapy - immunotherapy
function and steps
functions: enrich the cytotoxic T cells
steps:
1. isolate the T cells with and around tumor
2. ex vivo expansion them
3. infuse back into the patient
hematopoietic cell transplantation - immunotherapy
aka bone marrow transplantation
from donors
targeted therapy - immunotherapy
- name the 2 tools used
aims to destroy specific cancer cells w/o disturbing healthy cells
1. monoclonal antibodies
2. small molecules
antiangiogenic therapy
aims to disrupt o2 supply to tumors
angiogenesis inhibitors block the formation of new blood vessels supplying cancer cells
hormonal therapy
for certain types of cancers affected by specific hormones
ex. breast cancer
palliative treatment utilized when…
when curative measures are no longer possible or available
prognosis - cured definition
a person who is alive and without evidence of cancer for at least 5 years
durable remission
response is maintained for a long period of time
no evidence of disease meaning
- may be used when all signs of the disease have disappeared but before end of 5 years
