Level 1: Vaccines, Anticancer Drugs & Biologic Response Modifiers

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from chapters on vaccines, anticancer drugs, and biologic response modifiers.

Vaccination

Administration of an antigen to stimulate active immunity.

Inactivated Vaccine

A vaccine made from killed pathogens that cannot cause disease but still stimulate immunity.

Attenuated (Live) Vaccine

Contains weakened pathogens that replicate minimally to provoke strong immunity.

Toxoid Vaccine

Uses inactivated bacterial toxins to generate immunity against the toxin, not the organism.

Recombinant Subunit Vaccine

Uses pieces of pathogen proteins produced by genetic engineering to elicit immunity.

mRNA Vaccine

Delivers messenger RNA encoding an antigen so host cells produce the antigen and trigger immunity.

DTaP

Childhood vaccine protecting against diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis.

Hib Vaccine

Protects against Haemophilus influenzae type b infections.

PCV13

13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for childhood protection against Streptococcus pneumoniae.

MMR Vaccine

Live attenuated vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella.

IPV

Inactivated poliovirus vaccine providing immunity to poliomyelitis.

Varicella Vaccine

Live attenuated vaccine preventing chickenpox.

RV Vaccine

Live oral rotavirus vaccine preventing severe rotavirus gastroenteritis.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

Inactivated vaccine preventing hepatitis A viral infection.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

Recombinant vaccine protecting against hepatitis B virus.

Inactivated Influenza Vaccine (IIV)

IM injection flu shot; contraindicated in severe egg allergy.

Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV)

Intranasal spray flu vaccine; live virus formulation.

Live Attenuated Vaccines – Contraindications

Avoid in pregnancy and immunocompromised due to theoretical infection risk.

Mild Vaccine Adverse Reactions

Injection-site pain/swelling and low-grade fever; treat with cold compresses & acetaminophen.

Severe Vaccine Adverse Reaction

Anaphylaxis requiring immediate epinephrine administration.

VAERS

U.S. Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System for post-immunization reactions.

Vaccine Information Sheet (VIS)

Required handout that explains benefits/risks of each vaccine to recipients or parents.

Zoster Vaccine (RZV)

Recombinant shingles vaccine recommended for adults ≥50 years.

HPV Vaccine

Prevents human papillomavirus infection and related cancers; given before sexual activity.

Chemotherapy – Mechanism

Drugs that inhibit cellular reproduction, targeting rapidly dividing cells.

Bone Marrow Suppression

Dose-limiting chemo toxicity causing decreased RBCs, WBCs, and platelets.

Nadir

Lowest blood cell count occurring 7–10 days after chemotherapy.

Anemia (Chemo-induced)

Low RBCs causing fatigue, dyspnea, tachycardia; managed with ferrous sulfate, EPO, or transfusion.

Leukopenia

Low WBC count increasing infection risk; monitor temperature and avoid exposures.

Thrombocytopenia

Low platelets leading to bleeding, petechiae, ecchymosis; assess for blood in urine or stool.

Stomatitis/Mucositis

Inflammation of oral mucosa during chemo; managed with rinses, topical anesthetics, ice chips.

Cyclophosphamide

Alkylating agent whose notable adverse effect is hemorrhagic cystitis.

Doxorubicin

Anthracycline antibiotic with dose-related cardiotoxicity.

Vincristine

Vinca alkaloid with prominent neurotoxicity.

Hormone Antagonists (Cancer)

Drugs that block hormonal stimulation of hormone-sensitive tumors.

Tamoxifen

Selective estrogen receptor modulator used to treat or prevent estrogen-dependent breast cancer.

Interferons (IFN)

Natural immune proteins with antiviral and immunomodulatory functions.

IFN-β 1a

Interferon used for multiple sclerosis; may cause flu-like symptoms pretreated with acetaminophen and diphenhydramine.

Colony-Stimulating Factors (CSF)

Proteins that enhance production of specific bone marrow cells.

Erythropoietin (Epoietin alpha)

CSF that stimulates RBC production to treat chemo- or renal-related anemia.

EPO Black Box Warning

Risk of cardiovascular events when hemoglobin exceeds 11 g/dL or in patients with prior MI/stroke.