Pharmacotherapy and Cancer Treatments

This set of flashcards covers key terms and concepts related to pharmacotherapy and cancer treatments, focusing on chemotherapy, its mechanisms, and specific drugs used.

Combination Chemotherapy

A treatment regimen that uses multiple drugs to increase the likelihood of affecting cancer cells in all phases of the cell cycle.

Cell Cycle Nonspecific (CCNS) drugs

Chemotherapy drugs that target cancer cells regardless of the phase of the cell cycle.

Cell Cycle Specific (CCS) drugs

Chemotherapy drugs that interfere with processes occurring during a specific phase of cell division.

Anticancer Drugs

Medications that slow or stop the growth of cancer cells and may affect both cancerous and normal cells.

Nadir

The lowest point of blood cell counts typically occurring 7-10 days after treatment.

Bone Marrow Suppression

A reduction in the ability of the bone marrow to produce blood cells, leading to low RBC, WBC, or platelets.

Anemia

A condition characterized by a deficiency in red blood cells or hemoglobin.

Leukopenia

A decrease in white blood cells, increasing susceptibility to infection.

Thrombocytopenia

A condition characterized by low platelet count, leading to increased risk of bleeding.

Vincristine

A plant alkaloid that stops cell division during mitosis and is used in chemotherapy.

R-CHOP

A combination chemotherapy regimen used to treat non-Hodgkin lymphoma, consisting of Rituximab, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine, and Prednisone.

Epoetin Alfa

A medication used to stimulate red blood cell production in patients with anemia.

Targeted Therapies

A type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to specifically target cancer cell receptors.

Bevacizumab

A monoclonal antibody used to inhibit blood vessel growth (angiogenesis) in tumors.

Rituximab

A monoclonal antibody used to treat certain types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia by targeting the CD20 protein on B cells.

Disulfiram-like reaction

A reaction occurring with certain drugs when taken with alcohol, causing unpleasant symptoms like flushing, headache, and nausea.

Superinfection

A secondary infection that occurs when antibiotics disrupt the normal microbiota, allowing opportunistic pathogens to thrive.