oncology 3

Question 1

alkylating agents function

Answer 1

Inducing binding within DNA strands and by preventing DNA function and replication.
end result: cell reproduction and protein synthesis are arrested

Question 2

antimetabolites function

Answer 2

• structurally similar to these endogenous metabolites and compete with these compounds during DNA/RNA biosynthesis
  – interrupt cellular pathways that synthesize DNA and RNA

Question 3

antibiotics function

Answer 3

• 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

Question 4

4. antimicrotubule agents

Answer 4

Disrupt the normal function of the spindle apparatus (mitotic spindle) and prevent the cell from dividing and proliferating
- bind to microtubule

Question 5

5. topoisomerase inhibitors

Answer 5

• 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.

Question 6

6. anticancer hormones

Answer 6

several forms of cancer are hormone sensitive, because they tend to be exacerbated by certain hormones and attenuated by others

Question 7

AGENTS THAT TARGET CELL SURFACE GLYCOPROTEINS, GROWTH FACTOR RECEPTORS, AND LIGANDS

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

platinum coordination complexes

Answer 8

Form strong cross-links between and within DNA strands,
thereby preventing DNA translation and replication.
* Distorting the DNA structure and causing cellular damage

Question 9

cytokines

Answer 9

stimulate the immune mechanisms by increasing proliferation and activity of immune cells that destroy abnormal cell proliferation
(cancer cells) without harming normal cells

Question 10

chemotherapy effects

Answer 10

• alopecia
• GI toxicity
• myelosuppression
• fatigue
• cardiotoxicity
• pulmonary toxicity
• renal toxicity
• hepatic toxicity
• neuropathies

Question 11

myelosuppression

Answer 11

• The inhibition of bone marrow cells
  Fewer red cells → anemia
  Fewer white cells (leukopenia)→ infections and fever
  Fewer platelets → bleeding

Question 12

neutropenia
- gram positive infections
- gram negative infections

Answer 12

• reduced number of neutrophils
• gram positive infections are most common
• gram negative infections are the most serious

Question 13

fatigue

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

cardiotoxicity

Answer 14

manifestation of cardiomyopathy [heart failure, arrhythmias, myocarditis]

Question 15

insidious cancer cells

Answer 15

expel drugs out of cell with a glycoprotein and inactivate drugs
- can repair DNA strand in cancerous cells

Question 16

renal toxicity

Answer 16

Many chemo agents, antibiotics, and other drugs used in cancer treatment are metabolized and excreted by the kidneys.

Question 17

tumor lysis syndrome

Answer 17

Cytotoxic drugs destroy malignant cells → release large amounts of intracellular ions and metabolic byproducts → kidneys are unable to tolerate the sudden load

Question 18

what two factors mediate the effects of chemotherapy?

Answer 18

• granulocyte colony stimulating factor [G-CSF]
• granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor [GM-CSF]
  **these are used for prolonged neutrophil count loss

Question 19

erythropoietin is used to…

Answer 19

treat anemia to boost production of RBCs

Question 20

adoptive cell therapy - immunotherapy
function and steps

Answer 20

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

Question 21

hematopoietic cell transplantation - immunotherapy

Answer 21

aka bone marrow transplantation
from donors

Question 22

targeted therapy - immunotherapy
- name the 2 tools used

Answer 22

aims to destroy specific cancer cells w/o disturbing healthy cells
1. monoclonal antibodies
2. small molecules

Question 23

antiangiogenic therapy

Answer 23

aims to disrupt o2 supply to tumors
angiogenesis inhibitors block the formation of new blood vessels supplying cancer cells

Question 24

hormonal therapy

Answer 24

for certain types of cancers affected by specific hormones
ex. breast cancer

Question 25

palliative treatment utilized when…

Answer 25

when curative measures are no longer possible or available

Question 26

prognosis - cured definition

Answer 26

a person who is alive and without evidence of cancer for at least 5 years

Question 27

durable remission

Answer 27

response is maintained for a long period of time

Question 28

no evidence of disease meaning

Answer 28

• may be used when all signs of the disease have disappeared but before end of 5 years