24. Chap 16.1, 16.2, 16.3 Anti-cancer and chemotherapy drugs

What is the goal of chemotherapy for cancer cells?

Selective toxicity of neoplastic cells

What are the primary methods of chemotherapy? (2)

Disrupt DNA/RNA function

Inhibit mitosis and initiate cell death

What are the groups of different chemo drugs? (5)

Direct effect on DNA

Direct effect on mitosis

Hormones

Targeted therapies

Immunotherapies

Miscellaneous

What are the names of the chemo drugs the directly affect DNA synthesis and function? (5 types of drug)

Alkylating agents

Antitumor antibiotics

Platinum drugs

Topoisomerase inhibitors

Antimetabolites

How do alkylating agents affect cancer cells?

Bind strongly to DNA bases and form cross links ("handcuffs") to the strands, preventing DNA replication and translation and breaking down the DNA chain

How do antitumor antibiotics affect cancer cells?

They insert into a DNA strand and inhibit transcription, breaking up the DNA chain

How do platinum containing drugs affect cancer cells?

Form strong cross-links in DNA, inhibit cell replication

How do topoisomerase inhibitors affect cancer cells?

Inhibit topoisomerase, an enzyme needed for DNA replication.

Breaks down DNA chain

How many types of topoisomerase inhibitors are there?

Two types, Type I and Type II

How do antimetabolites affect cancer cells? (2 ways)

Either impair DNA synthesis by inhibiting enzymes or acting as "bogus" ingredients

What is the purpose of microtubules in cell division?

They assist in mitosis to make sure the cell completely divides

What do vinka alkaloids do to microtubules?

Inhibit formation of microtubules, decreasing cell division

What do taxanes do to microtubules?

Inhibit breakdown of microtubules, decreasing cell division

What are the potential effects of anti-cancer hormones on certain types of cancers? (act in these 3 ways)

Inhibit production of a hormone

Block or reduce effects of a hormone

Inhibit cell growth or induce death in certain cells

Why do most conventional anticancer drugs exert severe and potentially toxic side effects?

Because the drugs don't discriminate between healthy tissues and cancerous cells

What are some common targeted therapies for cancer? (2)

Monoclonal antibodies

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors

How do monoclonal antibodies (MABs) selectively affect tumor cells?

Targets tumor cells by binding to specific antigen

What are the effects of MABs on tumor cells? (3)

Block signaling pathways that cause mitosis

Initiate apoptosis

Inhibit angiogenesis

What does tyrosine kinase do for a cell?

It's a receptor on the cell surface that signals for the cell to divide

Sometimes abnormal in cancer cells

How do tyrosine kinase inhibitors affect cancer cells?

Inhibits receptor activation, prevents receptor from initiating signals that cause cell division

What is the common suffix for tyrosine kinase inhibitor drugs?

-inib

How do immunotherapies (biological therapies) help the body fight cancer?

Encourage body's immune system to deal with cancer cells

What are some types of immunotherapies? (3)

Cytokines

MABs

Others

How can cytokines be used as immunotherapies to fight cancer? (2 ways)

Directly activate pathways that inhibit cell division or promote cell death

Encourage cytotoxic immune cells to attack cancer cells

How can MABs be used as immunotherapies? (2 ways)

Sensitize cancer cells to attacks from T lymphocytes

Inhibit proteins that are suppressing the immune system

Name other types of immunotherapies (3)

Anticancer vaccines

Adoptive cell transfer

Genetic modification of T cells (into "serial killer" cells)

How do asparaginase drugs fight cancer cells?

Deprives tumor cells of asparagine

How do histone deacetylase inhibitors fight cancer cells?

Affect proteins that package DNA in cells

How do retinoids fight cancer cells?

Enhance cell differentiation

What are some of the common side effects of chemo drugs? (7)

Hair loss

GI problems

Anemia

Fatigue

Neurotoxicity

Cardiotoxicity

Skin rashes

What are some of the ways that PT can help during a pt's chemo process? (2)

Can help manage pain

Can help increase fitness before, during and after chemo

What are some of the key ways to prevent cancer? (5)

Regular exercise

Stop smoking

Eat a low-fat, high-fiber diet

Use sunscreen

Detect early