pharmacotherapeutics Flashcards
alkylating agents (cyclophosphamide, cisplatin) MOA
bind to DNA and prevent proper DNA replication.
alkylating agents (cyclophosphamide, cisplatin) major side effects
BONE MARROW SUPPRESSION, Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, alopecia, neuropathy
antimetabolites (methotrexate, fluorouracil) MOA
interferes w DNA and RNA growth by substituting for the normal bldg blocks of DNA and RNA (folate antagonist)
antimetabolites (methotrexate, fluorouracil) major side effects
NEUROTOXICITY, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, alopecia, bone marrow suppression
aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole) MOA
lowers estrogen levels by stopping an enzyme in fat tissue from changing other hormones into estrogen (BREAST CANCER)
aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole) major side effects
fractures, osteoporosis, thromboembolism (MI, stroke), hot flashes, pain, arthralgias, asthenia, N/V, headache
antimicrotubules (vinka alkyloids, cincristine, paclitaxel) MOA
blocks cell growth by stopping mitosis
antimicrotubules (vinka alkyloids, cincristine, paclitaxel) major side effects
peripheral neuropathy, neutropenia
enzyme inhibitors (irinotecan, imatinib) MOA
inhibits enzymes
enzyme inhibitors (irinotecan, imatinib) major side effects
cholinergic toxicity, alopecia, diarrhea
targeted therapies (imatinib) MOA
imatinib inhibits tyrosine kinase to block proliferation and induce apoptosis
targeted therapies (imatinib) major side effects
fluid retention, edema, hepatotoxicity, thrombocytopenia or neutropenia, n/v
gene therapies clinical use
experimental! systemic or local tx of malignancies; often use viral vectors for transfer of genes, also methods to stop angiogenesis; currently best used in combo with chemo, adjuvant therapy
gene therapies major side effects
often less toxic than chemo because delivered local or with specific target; has not shown to be a superior tx, however; still too new
anthracyclines (doxorubicin) clinical use
cytotoxic. messes w the DNA
anthracyclines (doxorubicin) major side effects
common: leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, N/V/D, anorexia
serious: cardiotoxicity, CHF, ventricular arrhythmias
topoisomerase inhibitors (irinotecan, etoposide) MOA
interferes w topoisomerases (which are enzymes that separate the strands of DNA so they can be copied)
topoisomerase inhibitors (irinotecan, etoposide) major side effects
bone marrow suppresion, acute & delayed diarrhea - can be severe
mitotic inhibitors: taxanes (paclitaxel), vinca alkaloids (vincristine) MOA
can stop mitosis or inhibit enzymes from making proteins needed for cell reproduction
mitotic inhibitors: taxanes (paclitaxel), vinca alkaloids (vincristine) major side effects
neutropenia, peripheral neuropathy
corticosteroids clinical use
prednisone: used to treat lymphomas bc it induces lymphocytopenia; treatment of Hodgkin and non-hodgkin lymphomas and to induce remission in ALL.
corticosteroids major side effects
infections (d/t immunosuppression), ulcers, pancreatitis, hyperglycemia, cataracts, glaucoma, osteoporosis, euphoria or psychosis
monoclonal antibodies
stimulate natural immune systems to recognize and attack cancer cells. using Abs created outside the body.
also, Bevacizumab:
- Binds and stops vascular endothelial growth factor from stimulating new blood vessel formation
- Tumors do not receive oxygen and nutrients
monoclonal antibodies major side effects
stroke, heart failure
biologic response modifiers
Immunotherapy, BRMs are used to enhance the activity of the body’s natural defense mechanisms against cancer. Interferons, family of cytokines, bind cell surface receptors to exert effects on enzyme synthesis, suppression of cell proliferation, activation of macrophages, and increased lymphocyte toxicity
biologic response markers common side effects
Common: flu-like sxs, anorexia, pruritis/rash, N/V, URI, alopecia
Serious: Myelosuppression, aplastic anemia, pure red cell aplasia, ITP, TTP, psychosis
hormone therapies (tamoxifen, leuprolide) clinical use
used to slow the growth of cancers which normally grow in response to natural hormones in the body. prevents the cx cells from using the hormone it needs to grow, or preventing the body from making the hormone.
hormone therapies (tamoxifen, leuprolide) major side effects
hot flashes, thromboembolism
