Treating cancer Flashcards
What does carcinoma target?
epithelial cells
What does sarcoma target?
connective tissue
What do leukaemias target?
haemopioetic tissue
What do malignant cells do to bone marrow?
Replace it resulting in deficiency o erythrocytes, loss of platelets and deficiency of white cells.
What is adjuvant chemotherapy?
Anticancer drugs are uses to attack metastases following surgery and/or radiation
What is neo-adjuvant chemotherapy?
Anticancer drugs are given prior to surgery or radiation to shrink tumour bulk
What is maintenance chemotherapy?
Lower doses to prolong remission
What does a resistance for apoptosis mean for normal body cells?
It may be a prerequisite for cancer
What is required to produce uncontrolled proliferations?
- Activation of proto-oncogenes to oncogenes
2. Inactivation of tumour supressant genes (anticoncogenes)
What are pharmacological sanctuaries?
Some tumour cells can hide behind the blood-brain barrier where anticancer drugs cannot reach
how could multi-anticancer drug resistance occur?
Enhanced p-glycoprotein activity
What are cytotoxic drugs?
- Alkylating agents, form covalent bonds with DNA
- Antimetabolites which block metabolic pathways of DNA synthesis
What do alkylating agents do?
Form covalent bonds to nucleophilic substances within the cell. Such as the carbonium ion which is highly reactive with amine, hydroxyl and sulfhydryl groups.
What is the main molecular target for alkylating agents?
Guanine - causes interchain cross-linking which interferes with transcription an replication.
Give 4 general unwanted effects of alkylating agents
- Depression of bone marrow
- Gastrointestinal disturbances
- Depression of gametogenesis
- Acute non-lymphocytic leukaemia and other malignancies.
