the molecular pathology of newer anti-cancer agents Flashcards
how does conventional chemotherapy work?
- vinblastine is an antimicrotubule agent
2.etoposide inhibits topoisomerase II
3.ifosamide binds directly to DNA inhibits DNA synthesis by cross linking
4.cisplatin binds directly to DNA inhibits DNA synthesis by cross linking
what is vinblastine
an antimicrotubule agent
what does etoposide do?
inhibits topoisomerase II
what does ifosamide do?
cisplatin binds directly to DNA inhibits DNA synthesis by cross linking
what does cisplatin bind to?
cisplatin binds directly to DNA inhibits DNA synthesis by cross linking
side effects of conventional chemotherapy
- myelosuppression
– hair loss
– diarrhoea
which cancers is conventional chemotherapy good for?
fast dividing tumours
-germ cell tumours of testis
– acute leukaemias
– lymphomas
– embryonal paediatric tumours
– choriocarcinoma
which cancers is conventional chemotherapy not good for?
most other tumours
what does targeted chemotherapy do?
exploits some difference between cancer cells and normal cells to target drugs to the cancer cells
– more effective – less side effects
describe Herceptin
It is a drug that binds to the Her2 protein on the outside of the cell membrane.
what codes for the Her2 protein?
the HER2 gene
where is the Her2 protein found?
tumours overexpress a growth factors recepetor on their cell surface called Her2 protein
what does Herceptin do?
binds to the protein on the surface of the cancer cells reduces their rate of growth.
what do anti-oestrogen drugs do>
block oestrogen receptors on cancer cells which inhibit their growth
