Chapter 17: Drugs for Cancer Treatment & Vocab

Neoplasia

Abnormal cell growth not needed for normal development/tissue replacement.

Normal cells undergo changes to their normal DNA result in

Damage/changes in gene expression & loss of normal growth controls.

Metastasize

Overgrow and spread.

Causes of factors

Environmental and personal factors.

Environmental factors that cause cancer

Chemicals, physical agents (radiation and chronic irritation of tissues from inflammatory disease), and certain viruses (oncoviruses)

Personal factors that may cause cancer

Immune function, age, & genetics.

Cancer treatment approaches

Local and Systemic

Local cancer treatment examples

Surgery or radiation

Systemic cancer treatment approaches

Traditional chemotherapy, hormone manipulation, & biologic/targeted agents.

Traditional chemotherapies

Alkylating agents, antimetabolites, antitumor antibiotics, topoisomerase inhibitors, mitotic inhibitors, & miscellaneous agents.

Action of Alkylating Agents

Damages DNA of cancer cells.

What does alkylating agents treat?

Cancers of the lung, breast, and ovaries along with leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin disease, multiple myeloma, and sarcoma.

Expected side effects of Alkylating Agents

Nausea, vomiting, and alopecia.

Adverse effects of Alkylating Agents

Bone marrow toxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity, pulmonary damage & fibrosis, renal toxicity.

Antimetabolites MOA

Impairs cell division by tricking cancer cells into using the antimetabolites instead of the real metabolites.

Uses for antimetabolites

Treat leukemias and cancers of breast, ovary, head & neck, and GI system.

Expected side effects of antimetabolites

Loss of appetite, diarrhea/constipation, headache, & fatigue.

Adverse effects of antimetabolites

Liver damage, bone marrow suppression, or severe GI effects.

Antitumor antibiotics MOA

Binds with DNA to prevent RNA synthesis & anthracycline & nonathracycline.

Uses for Antitumor Antibiotics

Many different cancers

Expected side effects of antitumor antibiotics

Mouth sores, anemia, bruising, & bleeding.

Adverse effects of antitumor antibiotics

Heart failure, bone marrow suppression, & lung damage.

Topoisomerase Inhibitors MOA

Inhibits cell division & growth by preventing DNA replication

Uses of topoisomerase inhibitors

Colorectal, lung, pancreas, ovary, breast, cervix, & blood.

Expected side effects of topoisomerase inhibitors

Mouth sores, diarrhea, loss of appetite/taste sensation.

Adverse effects of topoisomerase

Bone marrow suppression, GI issues, hypersensitivity, & liver/kidney impairment.

Mitotic Inhibitors MOA

Interferes with formation of microtubules, preventing cells from separating.

Uses of mitotic inhibitors

Breast, lung, and ovary cancers along with lymphoma and leukemia.

Expected side effects of Mitotic Inhibitors

Joint pain/stiffness & skin reactions.

Adverse effects of Mitotic Inhibitors

Severe peripheral neuropathy, cardiovascular effects, bone marrow suppression, severe constipation, & hearing loss.

Hormone therapy for breast cancers

Aromatase Inhibitors (Als), Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMS), estrogen receptor antagonists (ERAs), & luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists.

Common side effects of hormone therapy for breast cancer

Return of perimenopausal symptoms (vaginal dryness/hot flashes), bone/muscle/joint pain, breast atrophy, abdominal pain, flatulence, & diarrhea, along with emotional ups and downs.

Adverse effects of hormone therapy for breast cancer

Increases cholesterol level, BP, risk of blood clots, liver enzymes, & causes fluid retention.

Common side effects of hormone therapy for prostate cancer

Gynecomastia, reduced sexual desire/dysfunction, testicular atrophy, hot flashes, fluid retention, peripheral edema, fatigue, & general body aches.

Adverse effects of hormone therapy for prostate cancer

Liver impairment, hypertension, osteoporosis, increased risk of blood clots, & hyperglycemia.