Anti-Neoplastic Drugs, Corticosteroids, and Vaccines

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering pharmacology topics including anti-neoplastic drug classes, corticosteroids, and types of immunity from the lecture transcript.

Chemotherapy

The use of chemicals to kill cancer cells.

Cell cycle–nonspecific (CCNS) drugs

Anti-cancer drugs that act during any phase of the cell cycle, including the G0 phase (e.g., most alkylating drugs, antitumor antibiotics, and hormones).

Cell cycle–specific (CCS) drugs

Anti-cancer drugs that exert their influence during a specific phase of the cell cycle and are most effective against rapidly growing cancer cells (e.g., antimetabolites, vinca alkaloids).

Bleomycin Sulfate

A glycopeptide antibiotic/antitumor drug that affects cells during the G2 phase, indicated for leukemia, whose major adverse effect is pulmonary fibrosis.

Doxorubicin

An anthracycline class antineoplastic drug that interferes with DNA replication and RNA transcription in all cell cycle phases, associated with cardiotoxicity.

Dexrazoxane

A chemoprotectant administered before anthracyclines (like doxorubicin) to prevent cardiotoxicity.

Vinca Alkaloids

Plant alkaloids derived from the periwinkle plant (including Vinblastine, Vincristine, and Vinorelbine) that block cell division at the M phase leading to cell apoptosis.

Taxanes

Antineoplastic drugs derived from the yew tree (such as Docetaxel and Paclitaxel) that act on the M phase and whose major side effect is peripheral neuropathy.

Alkylating Drugs

Cell cycle–nonspecific (CCNS) anti-cancer drugs that damage cell DNA by cross-linkage of DNA strands, abnormal base pairing, or DNA strand breaks.

Cyclophosphamide

A nitrogen mustard alkylating agent used for various lymphomas, leukemias, and lupus nephritis, whose major adverse effect is hemorrhagic cystitis.

Sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate

An agent whose administration is anticipated in nursing management to help protect against cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis.

Nitrosoureas

A class of alkylating drugs (including Carmustine, Lomustine, and Streptozocin) that cross the blood-brain barrier to treat brain cancer, causing neurotoxicity as a major side effect.

Busulfan

An alkylsulfonate class antineoplastic agent whose major side effect is pulmonary fibrosis.

Antimetabolites

Cell cycle–specific (CCS) anti-cancer drugs that exert their effects during the S phase (DNA synthesis and metabolism) of the cell cycle.

Methotrexate

A folate analogue antimetabolite that inhibits AICAR transformylase, used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, ectopic pregnancies, and various cancers.

Leucovorin

A agent given $12$ to $24\text{ hours}$ after methotrexate administration to reduce AICAR concentrations and diminish adverse toxic effects.

Corticosteroids

A class of $C_{21}$ steroid hormones produced in the adrenal cortex that lower inflammation and suppress immunity by entering cells and changing gene transcription.

Natural Active Immunity

Immunity acquired when a person gets a disease or infection and their own body makes antibodies.

Artificial Active Immunity

Immunity acquired when a person receives a vaccine, prompting their body to make antibodies.

Natural Passive Immunity

Immunity acquired through maternal antibodies passed from another person (e.g., via breast milk or placenta).

Artificial Passive Immunity

Immunity acquired by receiving pre-formed antibodies or immune globulin produced by another person.