Pharmacology Flashcards
Surgical excision
Estrogen Receptor Positive Tumors
• Still the definitive treatment, best for primary, non-metastasized tumors
o Goserelin
Estrogen Receptor Positive
– GnRH agonist, used for “chemical castration” in premenopause
• Causes downregulation of FSH/LH receptors to ultimately mute estrogen production
• SQ injection in upper abdominal wall lasting for 28 days
• Will cause an initial “flare” of symptoms for a few days (bone pain/breast tenderness and enlargement); should be treated with analgesics
• Adverse effects:
• Menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings, etc)
• Osteoporosis/osteopenia that may be irreversible
o Raloxifen
Estrogen Receptor Positive
– SERM used to block action of estrogen at the breast (pre/postmenopause)
• Mixed agonist that has both anti/pro-estrogenic effects depending on the tissue
• Monthy IM injection
• Anti-estrogen on mammary tissue = stop breast cancer proliferation
• Pro-estrogen on bone = prevents osteoporosis
• Adverse effects:
• Teratogenic
• Thromboembolic disease (DVT, PE, stroke)
o Tamoxifen
Estrogen Receptor Positive
– SERM used to block action of estrogen at the breast (pre/postmenopause)
• Mixed agonist that has both anti/pro-estrogenic effects depending on the tissue
• Daily PO pill
• Anti-estrogen on mammary tissue = stop breast cancer proliferation
• Pro-estrogen on bone = prevents osteoporosis
• Adverse effects:
• Teratogenic
• Endometrial hypertrophy/cancer with bleeding
• Thromboembolic disease (DVT, PE, stroke)
o Toremifene/Bazodoxiene
Estrogen Receptor Positive
– SERM used to block action of estrogen at the breast (pre/postmenopause)
• 2nd generation SERM (derivative of Tamoxifen)
• Daily PO pill
• Anti-estrogen on mammary tissue = stop breast cancer proliferation
• Pro-estrogen on bone = prevents osteoporosis
• Adverse effects:
• Teratogenic
• Endometrial hypertrophy/cancer with bleeding
• Thromboembolic disease (DVT, PE, stroke)
• Prolongation of QT interval (risk of heart attack/arrhythmia)
o Fulvestrant
Estrogen Receptor Positive
– SERD used to block action of estrogen at the breast (pre/postmenopause)
• Pure estrogen receptor antagonist that stops dimerization and nuclear translocation, thus signaling of the estrogen receptor; also downregulates ERs
• Monthly injection allows for sustained plasma levels
• Adverse effects: Menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings, etc)
o Anastrozole
Estrogen Receptor Positive
– aromatase inhibitor to block adipocyte estrogen production in postmenopause
• Binds to the heme center of CYP19A1 (aromatase) to block it’s action
• Because ovaries no longer are the major source of estrogens, blocking peripheral aromatization of androgens into estrogens mutes estrogen production
• Daily oral pill
• Adverse Effects:
• Menopausal symptoms; but not as bad as tamoxifen
• Teratogenic
o Exemestane
Estrogen Receptor Positive
– aromatase inhibitor to block adipocyte estrogen production in postmenopause
• Binds to the heme center of CYP19A1 (aromatase) to block it’s action
• Because ovaries no longer are the major source of estrogens, blocking peripheral aromatization of androgens into estrogens mutes estrogen production
• Daily oral pill
• Adverse Effects:
• Menopausal symptoms; but not as bad as tamoxifen
• Teratogenic
o Letrozole
Estrogen Receptor Positive
– aromatase inhibitor to block adipocyte estrogen production in postmenopause
• Binds to the heme center of CYP19A1 (aromatase) to block it’s action
• Because ovaries no longer are the major source of estrogens, blocking peripheral aromatization of androgens into estrogens mutes estrogen production
• Daily oral pill
• Adverse Effects:
• Menopausal symptoms; but not as bad as tamoxifen
• Teratogenic
o Pertuzumab
Human Epidermal Growth factor (HER-2) positive tumors
– IgG-kappa humanized antibody blocking HER-2 activity
• Binds to the extracellular juxtraglomerular region of HER2
• Adverse effects
• Hypersensitivity/Alopecia/loss of appetite
• Teratogenic
o Trastuzumab
Human Epidermal Growth factor (HER-2) positive tumors
– IgG-kappa humanized antibody blocking HER-2 activity
• Binds to the extracellular dimerization domain of HER2 (Subdomain II)
• Adverse effects
• Pneumonia/respiratory failure/respiratory distress syndrome (infusion reaction)
• Cardiomyopathy/heart failure
• Teratogenic
o Ado-Trastuzumab Emtasine
Human Epidermal Growth factor (HER-2) positive tumors
– IgG-kappa humanized antibody blocking HER-2 activity
• Bind to the HER2 receptor and is internalized, bringing in a linked microtubule active chemotherapeutic drug to halt cell cycling
• Adverse effects
• Cardiomyopathy/heart failure
• Teratogenic
o Lapatinib
Human Epidermal Growth factor (HER-2) positive tumors
– small molecule Tyrosine kinase inhibitor that inhibits HER-1 and HER-2
• Binds to intracellular domain of ErbB1/ErbB2 to complete with ATP; preventing phosphorylation, thus action of the HER-2 receptor
• Adverse effects
• Liver disease/failure (increased drug levels); LFTs required
o Progesterone receptor positive tumors
o Breast cancers expressing mutated autocrine signaling PR receptors (PR+) can be a potential target for therapy
o Not sure if there’s any drugs here, but apparently PR signals can repress ER+ activity
o Surgical excision – effective in early, non-metastatic disease
o Radiation of solid tumors can help shrink the tumor
Triple negative tumors
o Everolimus
Triple negative tumors
– mTOR inhibitor that stops cell proliferation/angiogenesis/cell metabolism
• Can be used with any type of breast cancer
• Adverse effects
• Immunosuppression – increased infection/neoplastic risk
• Risks related to grafts/transplants
o Anthracycline+doxorubicin+other drugs
Triple negative tumors
• Classic regimen
• Incidence of cardiac issues post-treatment is a concern
• Medroxyprogesterone (Depo-Provera)
Endometrial cancer
– progestin contraceptive which can bind to progestin receptors to block GnRH release; causes cessation of menstrual cycle
• Megestrol
Endometrial cancer
– synthetic oral progestin which suppresses LH release and enhances estrogen degradation; may cause low estrogen/signs of menopause; may also be use in ER+ breast cancer treatment
• Carboplatin
Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma/Testicular Cancer
– DNA intrastrand crosslinks; more myelosuppression, nephro/ototoxicity, less peripheral neuropathy; use amifostine (free radical scavenger) and saline diuresis to minimize these
• Cisplatin
Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma/Testicular Cancer
– DNA intrastrand crosslinks; identical but less myelosuppression and more peripheral neuropathy, thrombocytopenia
• Cyclophosphamide
Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma
– prodrug (needs liver activation) of DNA crosslinker at N-7 guanine residue; myelosuppression, hemorrhagic cystitis; use MESNA to bind toxic metabolites and protect bladder
• Doxorubicin
Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma
– free radical generator to cause DNA strand breaks; myelosuppression, dilated cardiomyopathy; use dexrazoxane (iron chelator) to prevent cardiotoxicity
• Paclitaxel
Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma/Testicular Cancer
– stabilize polymerized microtubules in M-phase of cell division so mitotic spindle cannot breakdown and cell cannot divide; myelosuppression, hypersensitivity