Overview Of Cytostatics

Question 1

Divisions of cytostatics

Answer 1

Cytotoxic drugs (alkylating, antimetabolites, cytotoxic antibiotics, plant derivatives)

Hormones (steroids, aromatase inhibitors, gonadorelin analogues, estrogen/androgen antagonists)

Protein kinase inhibitors

Monoclonal antibodies

Miscellaneous agents (non-classical alkylators)

Question 2

Alkylating cytostatics

Answer 2

Nitrogen mustards (Melphalan, Cyclophosphamide, Chlorambucil, Ifosfamide)

Nitrosureas (Carmustine, Lomustine)

Alkyl sulfonates (Busulfan)

Triazenes (Procarbazine, Dacarbazine)

Platinum compounds (Cisplatinc Carboplatin) but NB they are in a different question and so is Triazenes

• Active in all phases

Question 3

Antimetabolites

Answer 3

Folate antagonists (Methotrexate)

Purine (A&G) analogues (6-MP, Azathioprine)

Pyrimidine (C&T) analogues (5-FU, Cytosine arabinoside, Gemcitabine)

• Active in S-phase

Question 4

Anti cancer antibiotics

Answer 4

Anthracyclines (Doxorubicine, Daunorubicin)

Bleomycin

Mitomycin C

Dactinomycin

• G1, S and G2 phases

Question 5

Plant alkaloids

Answer 5

Vinca Alkaloids (Vincristine, Vinblastine, Vindestine, Vinorelbine)

Podophylotoxin Alkaloids (Etopside)

Taxans (Paclitaxel)

• Mainly in mitotic phase, Etopside in G1+S

Question 6

Miscellaneous agents

Answer 6

Platinum derivatives (Cisplatin, Carboplatin)

Procarbazine

Asparaginase

Retinoids

Question 7

Hormonal therapy

Answer 7

Ablative treatment, inhibits production:
• GnRH-analogues (Goserelin)

Additative/agonists:
• Estrogens (Ethinylestradiol)
• Progestin (Megestrol acetate)
• Somatostatin analogues (Ocreotide)
• Glucocorticoids (Prednisone, Dexamethasone)

Inhibitors of hormone synthesis:
• Aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole)
• 5a-Reductase inhibitors (Finasteride)

Hormone receptor antagonists:
• Anti-Estrogens (Tamoxifen, Raloxifen)
• Anti-Androgens (Flutamide)

Question 8

Biological preparations

Answer 8

Cytokines/Interferons (INF-a, IL-2)

Monoclonal antibodies:
• Anti-Cd20 (Rituximab, Ibrutimab)
• Anti-CD52 (Alentuzumab)
• Anti-VEGF (Bevacizumab)
• Anti-EGFR (Cetuximab)
• Anti-HER2 Rc (Trastuzumab)

Protein kinase inhibitors (Imatinib)

Hematopoietic Growth Factors (GM-CSF, G-CSF, Thrombopoeitin, Erythropoeitin, IL-2)