Targeted Therapy

Question 1

What are two types of targeted cancer therapies?

Answer 1

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors and anti-monoclonal antibodies

Question 2

What is the suffix for tyrosine kinase inhibitors?

Answer 2

End in -ibs

Question 3

What is the suffix for monoclonal antibodies?

Answer 3

-mab

Question 4

Why can monoclonal antibodies be used as a carrier for the delivery of anti-tumour agents?

Answer 4

Tumours have increased vascular permeability so these macromolecular mAbs can pass into the tissue, whereas normal tissues have blood vessels with intact endothelium which doesn’t facilitate the entry of the mAbs so the action is specific.

In addition, tumours cells often don’t have lymphatic drainage and therefore the mAbs will also accumulate in solid tumours

Question 5

How may fragment antigens work in the treatment of cancer?

Answer 5

> Block growth factor receptors by antagonising ligand receptor binding (blocks tyrosine kinase)
Activating death receptors by cross-linking target surface antigens on tumour cells or acting as an agonist at apoptotic receptors –> intracellular Ca2+ influx –> activation of caspase 2 and 9 involved in apoptosis
Preventing angiogenesis

Question 6

Which two caspases are involved in cellular apoptosis?

Answer 6

Caspase 2 and 9

Question 7

Name two selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERMs)

Answer 7

Tamoxifen and toremeifene

Question 8

Name a oestrogen receptor inhibitor and destroyer

Answer 8

Fulvestrant

Question 9

Name three oestrogen synthesis inhibitors (aromatase inhibitors)

Answer 9

Anastrazole, letrozole and exemestane