Treatment for cancer

Question 1

What is chemotherapy?

Answer 1

A compound targeting DNA, RNA and proteins.

Question 2

What is the aim of a chem drug?

Answer 2

To induce apoptosis.

Question 3

What kind of cells does chem target?

Answer 3

All fast dividing cells

Question 4

How is chem delivered?

Answer 4

Orally or IV.
In cycles.
Often neoadjuvant or adjuvant to surgery

Question 5

Is combination of chem effective?

Answer 5

Yes

Question 6

What are the three main types of chemo?

Answer 6

Alkylating agents and platinum drugs which block DNA replication.
Antimetabolites which are competitive inhibitors of cell division.
Organic drugs.

Question 7

What are the main side effects to chemo?

Answer 7

Nausea and vomiting.

Question 8

What are the three different personalised systemic therapies?

Answer 8

Hormonal therapy
Targeted therapy
Immunotherapy

Question 9

What is hormonal therapy?

Answer 9

Some cancers are linked to hormones i.e. breast cancer. In this case the drug tamoxifen binds to oestrogen receptors preventing cell proliferation.

Question 10

What is targeted therapies?

Answer 10

i.e. EGF receptor inhibitors or CDK 4/6 inhibitors. to target very specific parts of the cell cycle to stop tumour growth.

Question 11

What is immunotherapy?

Answer 11

Cancers often disable the immune system. Immunotherapy aims to get the immune system working again. i..e PE-L1 receptors deactivate T cells.

Question 12

How is radiotherapy delivered?

Answer 12

Along side chemo often

Question 13

What are the 5 Rs of radiotherapy

Answer 13

Radio sensitivity 
Repair 
Re-population 
Re-oxygenation 
Re-assortment

Question 14

Which point in the cycle is a cell more sensitive to radiotherapy?

Answer 14

G2 and M