Unit 3 Antineoplastics pt.1

Terminology

Cancer

• Uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells

• Cells divide too fast and don't work right

• They take nutrients from healthy cells

Tumor (Neoplasm)

• A lump of abnormal cells that don't function properly

• Benign = not cancer (stays in one place, less dangerous)

• Malignant = cancer (can spread and harm the body)

• Groups of cells without function

  • 1. Malignant

    • “bad,” cancerous

  • 2. Benign

    • noncancerous, but can still cause complications
      
      

Terminology

types

primary site

• The original place where cancer starts

Metastasis

• Cancer spreads to other parts of the body through blood or lymph

Quick memory trick:

• Primary = first spot

• Metastasis = moves

• Benign = behaves

• Malignant = moves and messes things up

Tumors

• Solid tumors = a lump in one place (like breast or lungs)

• Diffuse tumors = spread out in blood/bone marrow (like leukemia, Hodgkin's disease)

• Solid (breast, lungs)

• Diffuse (leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease)
  
  

Antineoplastics

• Strong drugs that slow or stop cancer cell growth

• Problem: they can't tell cancer cells from healthy cells , so both get damaged

• That's why they can cause many side effects

• Drugs used to inhibit tumor growth or cell reproduction

• Cannot differentiate healthy cells from cancer cells, healthy cells are destroyed as well

• Can be very toxic to the body
  
  

Chemotherapy

• A type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill fast-growing cells

• Given in cycles so healthy cells can recover between treatments

• Also sometimes used for autoimmune diseases

• Drugs used to kill cancer cells (also used for autoimmune conditions)

• Commonly given in cycles to allow a resting period for normal cells to recover
  

Terminology 2

Oncologist vs Hematologist

Oncologist

• Doctor who treats cancer

Hematologist

• Doctor who treats blood diseases (like leukemia, anemia, clotting problems)

Quick memory trick:

• Solid = “stuck in one spot”

• Diffuse = “spread in blood”

• Chemo = “kill fast cells in cycles”

• Oncologist = cancer doctor

• Hematologist = blood doctor

1. Carcinomas = “surface/lining cancers”

• Start in organs or glands (epithelial tissue)

• Most common type of cancer

Examples:

• Stomach → gastric cancer/ gastric adenocarcinoma 

• Liver → hepatocellular carcinoma/hepatocellular carcinoma

• Breast → breast carcinoma

• Kidney → renal cell carcinoma

• Glands → adenocarcinoma

• Skin → basal cell / squamous cell carcinoma

Memory trick:
👉 CARCINOMA = “Covering/Cells lining organs”

Sarcomas

“support tissue cancers”

• Start in connective tissues (bone, fat, vessels)

Examples:

• Bone → osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma

• Fat → liposarcoma

• Blood vessels → angiosarcoma

• Bone: osteosarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma

• Fat: liposarcoma

• Lymph and blood vessels: angiosarcoma

Memory trick:
👉 SARCOMA = “Soft/Support tissues”

3. Leukemia = “blood cancer”

• Cancer of white blood cells in the blood/bone marrow

• Cells grow abnormally in the bloodstream

Memory trick:
👉 LEUK = white blood cells/ Leukemia

4. Lymphomas = “lymph system cancers”

• Cancer of lymph nodes and lymphatic tissue

Types:

• Hodgkin's disease

• Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Memory trick:
👉 LYMPH = lymph nodes

• Hodgkin’s Disease / Non-Hodgkin’s Disease

Types of Cancers

summary

• Carcinoma = organs/skin

• Sarcoma = bones/fat/vessels

• Leukemia = blood

• Lymphoma = lymph system

Locations of Cancers

1

• Oral cavity/pharynx

• Digestive tract

• Urinary system

• Myeloma-cancer that originates in the bone marrow's plasma cells.

• Genitals

• Respiratory

• Bones/joints

Locations of Cancers

2

• Soft tissue/heart

• Breast

• Eye

• Brain/Nervous

• Endocrine

• Lymphoma- lymph node

• Leukemia-WBC

Cancer Statistics (Big Idea)

• Cancer is the 2nd leading cause of death in the US

• About 1 out of 3 people (men and women) will get cancer in their lifetime

Top Cancer Deaths Evils/Cancer-causing deaths in Males

1. Lung (most deadly)

2. Prostate

3. Colon

Females

1. Lung (most deadly)

2. Breast

3. Colon

Memory trick:
👉 Both start with Lung #1
👉 Colon is always #3

Early Detection (Screening = finding cancer early)

These tests help catch cancer before it spreads:

• SBE = breast self-exam

• Mammogram = breast X-ray

• DRE = prostate check (finger exam)

• Colonoscopy / Hemoccult = colon cancer check

• Pap smear = cervical cancer check

• Annual checkups = general screening

• Cancer = very common + 2nd leading cause of death

• Lung = #1 killer (both men & women)

• Screening = early detection saves lives

• 1 in 3 men will develop some type of cancer in life; 1 in 3 women will develop some type of cancer in life
  
  

Cancer Risk Factors

• Smoking

• Obesity→ cells grow in the wrong way

• Poor nutrition→ body can't repair damaged cells well

• Excessive alcohol consumption→ damages liver + other cells

• HPV→ can cause cervical and other cancers

• Hepatitis C→ chronic damage → liver cancer risk

• Excessive sun/UV exposure→ skin cancer

• Genetics→ cells are more likely to grow abnormally

• Others→ repeated cell damage → cancer risk increases

• These things damage cells or DNA , and over time the body makes abnormal cells that grow uncontrollably → cancer

👉 Cancer risk = DNA damage + poor repair + abnormal growth

“Damage cells → bad repair → cancer grows”

Cell Division (Mitosis = making 2 identical cells)

• Cell division that occurs by normal cells and cancerous cells

• Interphase (cell prepares)

• G1 = cell grows + makes proteins/RNA

• S = DNA is copied/ -DNA synthesis

• G2 = final prep + more proteins

👉 Memory: Grow → Copy → Prep

G0 (resting stage)

• Cell is sleeping / not dividing/dormant

Cell Division (Mitosis = making 2 identical cells)

Mitosis (current division)

PMAT

• P = Prophase → chromosomes form (get visible)

• M = Metaphase → chromosomes line up in the middle

• A = Anaphase → chromosomes pull apart

• T = Telophase → cell splits into 2 cells

👉 Memory trick: “PMAT = Pretty Middle Away Two cells”

• G1, S, G2 = prepare

• Mitosis (PMAT) = divide

• Result = 2 identical cells

Cancer Treatment

• Surgery→physically removes the tumor

• Radiation→uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells in one area

• Chemotherapy→drugs that kill fast-growing cells (cancer + some healthy cells)

• Immunomodulators→help your immune system recognize and attack cancer cells

• Surgery = cut it out

• Radiation = burn it out (targeted)

• Chemo = poison fast cells

• Immunotherapy = boost your immune system

Chemotherapy Goals (Super Easy)

• Find early + treat early → better chance to control cancer

• Shrink tumor / reduce cancer cells each treatment cycle

• Help immune system take over once cancer is smaller

• Cancer is reduced so the patient’s immune system can begin to take over to fight cancerous cells

• Combination chemo

• Higher cancer cell-kill than single agents

---

Combination Chemo

• Uses more than one drug together

• Works stronger than one drug alone → kills more cancer cells

• Early = best results

• Chemo = shrink cancer step by step

• Combo = stronger attack

Common Side Effects from Antineoplastics

These drugs kill fast-growing cancer cells, but they also damage healthy fast-growing cells .

1. Blood problems (bone marrow suppression)

• Anemia = low red blood cells → tired, weak

• Leukopenia = low white blood cells → high infection risk

• Thrombocytopenia = low platelets → easy bleeding/bruising

👉 Memory: “Low blood = low protection”

GI (stomach/mouth issues)

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (NVD)

• Ulcers in the GI tract

• Stomatitis = mouth sores

• Anorexia = no appetite

👉 Memory: “Chemo upsets stomach + mouth”

Hair loss

• Alopecia = hair falls out

👉 Memory: “Fast cells = hair also affected”

4. Nerve damage

• Peripheral neuropathy = tingling, numb hands/feet

👉 Memory: “Chemo can hurt nerves”

5. IV problem

• Extravasation = chemo leaks out of vein into tissue → can damage skin

• Blood ↓ = infection + bleeding + fatigue

• Stomach/mouth upset

• Hair loss

• Nerve damage

• IV leak risk

Toxicity from Cancer Drugs

• Hepatotoxicity
  
  

• Nephrotoxicity
  
  

• Ototoxicity
  
  

• Cardiac toxicity

Two Types of Cancer Drugs

• Cell Cycle Nonspecific Agents (CCNS)

  • Cytotoxic at any phase of cell cycle 

  • Alkylating
    
    

• Cell Cycle Specific Agents (CCS)

  • Cytotoxic during a specific phase of cell cycle 

  • Antimetabolites, Plant Extracts/Mitotic Inhibitors, Cytotoxic Antibiotics
    
    
    

Two Types of Cancer Drugs

1. Cell Cycle Nonspecific (CCNS)

• Work at ANY stage of the cell cycle

• They don't care what the cancer cell is doing

• They attack the cancer cell anytime

Example:

• Alkylating agents

👉 Memory: CCNS = No Specific stage = attacks anytime

• CCNS drugs = attack the cell whenever they find it 🚫

• CCNS = Any stage = Anytime

Two Types of Cancer Drugs

2. Cell Cycle Specific (CCS)

• Work only during ONE specific stage of the cell cycle

• They wait until the cancer cell reaches that stage, then attack

Examples:

• Antimetabolites

• Plant extracts (Mitotic inhibitors)

• Cytotoxic antibiotics

👉 Memory: CCS = Specific Stage = attacks only at certain times

What's happening?

Cancer cells go through a cell cycle to divide and make more cancer cells.

• CCS drugs = wait until the cell reaches a certain step , then attack 🎯

SUPER QUICK MEMORY

• CCS = One stage = Specific time

Alkylating Drugs (Super Easy Summary)

MOA (How they work)

• Stick to the cancer cell's DNA

• Damage the DNA so the cell can't divide or make new cells

• The cancer cell dies

• CCNS = works at any stage of the cell cycle

👉 Memory: "Glue to DNA → Can't divide → Cell dies."

Side Effects

• Nausea & vomiting

• Myelosuppression = low blood cells (infection, bleeding, fatigue)

• Skin & GI ulcers

• Alopecia = hair loss

👉 Memory: "Kills cancer, but also hurts fast-growing healthy cells."

• MOA: Damages DNA → Stops cell division → Cell dies

• Type: CCNS = works anytime

• Side effects: Nausea, low blood cells, ulcers, hair loss

         Alkylating Agents

DRUG

cisplatin                 

 mechlorethamine   

   busulfan                  Myleran®

   cyclophosphamide  Cytoxan®

  carboplatin             

           

Antineoplastics

• Antimetabolites

MOA (How they work)

• Trick the cancer cell by acting like normal building blocks for DNA

• The cell uses the fake building blocks

• DNA can't be made correctly , so the cell can't divide

• The cancer cell dies

• Works best in the S phase (when DNA is being copied)

• CCS = works only during a specific stage of the cell cycle

👉 Memory: "Fake DNA parts → No DNA → No division → Cell dies."

• 🧬 Cancer cell wants to make more cancer cells.

• 📋 It starts copying its DNA ( S phase ).

• 💊 Antimetabolite pretends to be a normal DNA building block.

• 😮 The cancer cell accidentally uses the fake building block.

• ❌ DNA can't be completed.

• 🚫 Cell can't divide.

• ☠ Cancer cell dies.

Side Effects

• NVD = nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

• Myelosuppression = low blood cells

• GI ulcers

• Mucositis = mouth sores

Special fact:

• Leucovorin (folinic acid) is the rescue drug (antidote) for methotrexate overdose .

👉 Memory: "Methotrexate problem? → Leucovorin saves healthy cells."

• Antimetabolites
  fast summary

Antimetabolites trick cancer cells into using fake DNA building blocks, so DNA can't be copied during the S phase, preventing cell division and causing the cancer cell to die.

🧱 Real bricks = DNA can be built ✅

🧱❌ Fake bricks (antimetabolites) = DNA falls apart ❌

No DNA → No cell division → Cell dies

• MOA: Fake DNA building blocks → DNA can't be copied → Cell dies

• Works: S phase only (DNA synthesis) = CCS

• Side effects: NVD, low blood cells, ulcers, mouth sores

• Methotrexate overdose → Leucovorin

Antimetabolites

DRUG

methotrexate          

   mercaptopurine       Purinethol®

 

Cytotoxic Antibiotics (Super Easy Summary)

MOA (How they work)

• Cancer cells need to make DNA, RNA, and proteins to grow and divide.

• Cytotoxic antibiotics block this process.

• Without DNA, RNA, and proteins , the cancer cell can't grow or divide .

• The cell dies .

• Works mostly in the G2 phase (the final preparation stage before the cell divides).

• CCS = works only during a specific stage of the cell cycle.

•  kill cells by inhibiting nucleic acid and protein synthesis, mostly active during G2 phase, CCS

👉 Memory: "Block DNA + proteins → Can't prepare → Cell dies."

What's happening?

Think of the cancer cell as a student getting ready for a big test.

• 📚 G2 phase = studying and getting everything ready.

• 💊 Cytotoxic antibiotic = takes away the student's books and notes .

• 😕 The student can't prepare.

• ❌ The student can't move on to the test (cell division).

• ☠ The cancer cell dies.

Side Effects

• ❤ Cardiac toxicity = can damage the heart.

• 🫀 Hepatotoxicity = can damage the liver.

---

SUPER QUICK MEMORY

• MOA: Blocks DNA, RNA & protein production → Cell can't prepare → Cell dies

• Works: G2 phase (preparing to divide) = CCS

• Side effects: Heart damage + Liver damage

         Cytotoxic Antibiotics

drug

doxorubicin            

bleomycin              

  

Antineoplastics

is what

… = Cancer drugs

Their job is to stop cancer cells from growing and dividing.

They:

• 🛑 Stop cancer cells from dividing

• 🧬 Damage DNA or block DNA/RNA

• ☠ Cause cancer cells to die

The problem: They can't tell the difference between cancer cells and healthy fast-growing cells.

So they also damage:

• 🩸 Bone marrow → low blood cells

• 💇 Hair → hair loss

• 👄 Mouth & stomach → sores, nausea, vomiting

Job: Stop cell division → Kill cancer cells

Problem: They also hurt healthy fast-growing cells , causing side effects like:

• Hair loss,Low blood cells,Nausea/vomiting,Mouth sores

Plant Extracts (Mitotic Inhibitors) – Super Easy Summary

MOA (How they work)

During M phase (mitosis) , the cell needs microtubules (tiny "ropes") to pull the chromosomes apart .

🚫 Plant extracts block the microtubules.

Without the microtubules:

• ❌ Chromosomes can't separate

• ❌ The cell can't finish dividing

• ☠ The cancer cell dies

They work during Metaphase (when chromosomes line up in the middle).

👉 Memory: "No microtubules = No moving chromosomes = No mitosis = Cell dies."

Think of it like Tug-of-War 🎯

• 🧬 Chromosomes = players

• 🪢 Microtubules = the ropes

• 💊 Plant extract = cuts the ropes

No ropes ➜ no pulling ➜ no cell division ➜ cancer cell dies.

Side Effects

• Myelosuppression = low blood cells

• Peripheral neuropathy = numbness/tingling in hands and feet

• Neurotoxicity = nerve damage

• Plant Extracts /Mitotic Inhibitors

easy summary

Side Effects

• Myelosuppression = low blood cells

• Peripheral neuropathy = numbness/tingling in hands and feet

• Neurotoxicity = nerve damage

---

SUPER QUICK MEMORY

• MOA: Blocks microtubules → Chromosomes can't separate → Cell can't divide → Cell dies

• Works: M phase (Metaphase) = CCS

• Side effects: Low blood cells + Numbness/tingling + Nerve damage

         Mitotic Inhibitors (plant extracts/alkaloids)

drugs

vinblastine             

vincristine              

etoposide                 Toposar®

paclitaxel               

docetaxel                 Taxotere®

        

Hormonal Antagonists (Super Easy Summary) MOA (How they work)

Some cancers need hormones (estrogen or testosterone) to grow.

🚫 Hormonal antagonists block those hormones from attaching to the cancer cell.

Without the hormone:

• ❌ The cancer cell doesn't get the signal to grow

• 🛑 Cancer growth slows or stops

• They do NOT kill the cancer cell directly.

👉 Memory: "Block the hormone = Block cancer growth."

What's happening? (Easy Example)

Think of the hormone as a key 🔑 and the cancer cell as a locked door 🚪 .

• 🔑 Hormone = key

• 🚪 Receiver = lock

Normally:

• 🔑 Key fits the lock → cancer grows.

With a hormonal antagonist:

• 🚫 The key is blocked.

• ❌ The lock never opens.=🛑 Cancer can't keep growing.

Uses

• Given after surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy

• Helps keep the cancer from coming back

• Often taken for years

• Hormonal Antagonists
  
  Types

a. Anti-estrogens

• Patient teaching/Side effects: similar to menopause, increases risk for thromboembolism

b. Anti-androgens

• Patient teaching/Side effects: gynecomastia, impotency, hot flashes, liver complications

• Hormonal Antagonists

1. Anti-estrogens vs Anti-androgens

• Anti-estrogens

• Block estrogen

• Used for hormone-sensitive breast cancer

Side effects:

• Menopause-like symptoms (hot flashes)

• ↑ Risk of blood clots (thromboembolism)

---

Anti-androgens

• Block testosterone (androgens)

• Used for prostate cancer

Side effects:

• Gynecomastia = enlarged breasts in men

• Impotence

• Hot flashes

• Liver problems

• MOA: Blocks hormones → Cancer doesn't get the "grow" signal

• Does NOT kill cancer cells directly

• Use: Prevent cancer from growing or coming back after treatment

• Anti-estrogen: Menopause symptoms + blood clot risk

• Anti-androgen: Enlarged breasts, impotence, hot flashes, liver problems

Hormonal Antagonists/Blockers

drugs

Anti-estrogens

      tamoxifen               

       raloxifene                Evista®

                     Antiandrogens

                                 bicalutamide           Casodex®

                         flutamide        

Monoclonal Antibodies (Super Easy Summary)

MOA (How they work)

These are man-made immune system proteins that act like guided missiles 🎯 .

They:

• 🎯 Find specific cancer cells

• 🏷 Tag/mark them

• 🛡 Call other immune cells to attack them

• 🚫 Block cancer cells from growing and multiplying

Unlike chemotherapy, they target specific cells.

👉 Memory: "Find it → Mark it → Immune system destroys it."

What's happening?

Think of a cancer cell as a criminal hiding in a crowd .

• 🕵 Monoclonal antibody finds the criminal.

• 🏷 Puts a bright sticker on them.

• 👮 Other immune cells see the sticker and attack.

Result:

• ☠ Cancer cells are destroyed.

• 🛑 Cancer growth slows or stops.

Side Effects

• 🤢 Nausea

• 🤮 Vomiting

• 🔴 Rash

• Monoclonal Antibodies

• easy summary

Guided missiles for cancer

MOA: 🎯 Find cancer cells → Mark them → Immune system kills them → Block cancer growth

Side effects: Nausea, vomiting, rash .

are man-made immune proteins that target specific cancer cells, block their growth, and help the immune system destroy them.

Monoclonal antibodies

drugs

trastuzumab            Herceptin®

  rituximab                Rituxan®

Combination Chemotherapy (Super Easy Summary)

What is it?

• Uses 2 or more chemotherapy drugs together to fight cancer.

• Goal = kill more cancer cells than using just one drug.

Rules for Combination Chemo

✅ 1. Each drug must work against that cancer.

• Every drug should be able to kill the patient's type of cancer.

✅ 2. Each drug should attack differently.

• Each drug works in a different way or at a different stage of the cell cycle .

• This helps kill more cancer cells .

✅ 3. Each drug should have different side effects.

• They should affect different organs so one organ doesn't get all the damage.

Combination chemo = Teamwork 🏆

• ✔ Different drugs

• ✔ Different ways of attacking

• ✔ Different side effects

• 🎯 Result = kills more cancer cells with less damage to one organ

Immune System (Super Easy Summary)

What is the immune system?

• 🛡 The body's defense system .

• Its job is to find and destroy germs, viruses, and cancer cells .

Main Parts

• 🦠 Macrophages = "Eat" germs and abnormal cells (engulf them).

• 🩸 Bone marrow = makes blood and immune cells.

• 🟢 Lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils = help filter germs and fight infection.

• 🛡 Lymphocytes = the main immune cells.

Lymphocytes 1. T Cells

• 🎯 Attack and kill infected or cancer cells directly.

👉 Memory: T = Takes them out

2. B Cells

• 🏭 Make antibodies.

Antibodies stick to germs so the immune system can destroy them.

👉 Memory: B = Builds antibodies

Immune System (Super Easy Summary)

easy summary

Cytokines

• 📢 Chemical messengers made by T cells, B cells, and macrophages.

• They tell immune cells what to do and help them communicate.

Examples:

• Interleukins = tell immune cells to grow and work.

• Interferons = help fight viruses and slow cancer cell growth.

👉 Memory: Cytokines = Coaches giving immune cells instructions.

---

SUPER QUICK MEMORY

🛡 Immune System = Protects your body

• 🍽 Macrophages = Eat invaders

• 🎯 T cells = Kill infected/cancer cells

• 🏭 B cells = Make antibodies

• 📢 Cytokines = Send instructions to immune cells

Immunomodulators (Super Easy Summary)

What are they?

• 💊 Drugs that boost (stimulate) the immune system .

• They help your body fight infections and cancer better .

Used for:

• Low white blood cells ( myelosuppression )

• AIDS

• Cancer

• Other immune system disorders

👉 Memory: "Immunomodulators = Boost your immune system."

1. Interferons How they work (MOA)

• Proteins naturally made by the immune system .

• Help the immune system fight viruses and cancer cells .

👉 Memory: "Interferons = Help fight viruses and cancer."

Side Effects

• 🤒 Flu-like symptoms,🥶 Chills, 💪 Muscle aches,🌡 Fever

2. Interleukins How they work (MOA)

• Proteins made by immune cells.

• 🚀 Activate T cells to kill cancer cells.

• 🏭 Stimulate B cells to make antibodies.

👉 Memory: "Interleukins = Turn on T cells and B cells."

Side Effects

• 🤒 Flu-like symptoms

• 🌡 Fever

• 💧 Fluid retention (swelling)

Immunomodulators (Super Easy Summary)

easy fast summary

Immunomodulators = Boost the immune system

• Interferons = Fight viruses & cancer

• Interleukins = Activate T cells + B cells

• Common side effects = Flu-like symptoms + fever

Colony-Stimulating Factors (Super Easy Summary)

What are they?

• 💊 Drugs that help the bone marrow make more blood cells .

• Often given after chemotherapy because chemo lowers blood cell counts.

👉 Memory: "Chemo lowers blood cells → Colony-stimulating factors build them back up."

Types 1. GM-CSF

• Helps make more white blood cells (especially granulocytes and macrophages).

• Also helps support blood cell recovery.

👉 Memory: GM-CSF = Grow More immune cells.

---

2. G-CSF

• Helps make more neutrophils (a type of white blood cell).

• Prevents neutropenia (low neutrophils).

• Lowers the risk of infection and fever after chemotherapy.

👉 Memory: G-CSF = Grow Granulocytes (neutrophils).

Side Effects

• 🤕 Headache

• 🦴 Joint/bone pain

• 💉 Injection site soreness

Colony-Stimulating Factors (Super Easy Summary)

easy fast summary

• Colony-stimulating factors = Help bone marrow make more blood cells

• GM-CSF = More immune cells

• G-CSF = More neutrophils → Prevent infection after chemo

• Side effects: Headache, bone/joint pain, injection site pain

IMMUNOMODULATORS

Interferons 

         Interleukins 

Goals With Immunomodulators

Immunomodulators = Help your immune system fight cancer.

Goal 1: Decrease cancer growth/ Decrease proliferation of cancer cells

• 🛑 Slow or stop cancer cells from multiplying.

Goal 2: Increase phagocytic activity

• 🍽 Help macrophages "eat" more germs and cancer cells.

Goal 3: Increase lymphocyte killing

• 🎯 Make T cells stronger so they kill more cancer cells.

---

Immunomodulators = Boost the immune system to fight cancer

• 🛑 Stop cancer from growing

• 🍽 Help macrophages eat cancer

• 🎯 Help T cells kill cancer

Antiemetics (Super Easy Summary)

MOA (How they work)

• 🤢 Prevent or stop nausea and vomiting.

• 🧠 They block the brain's vomiting center (CTZ) so you don't feel like throwing up.

👉 Memory: "Block the brain's vomit signal = No nausea, no vomiting."

---

Why are they used?

• Given before or during chemotherapy to prevent nausea and vomiting.

Side Effects

• 😴 Sleepiness (sedation)

• 🤕 Headache (HA)

• 😫 Fatigue (tiredness)

• 😟 Nervousness

• 💉 If given by IV push (IVP) , dilute it and push it slowly to reduce side effects.

SUPER QUICK MEMORY

• MOA: Blocks the brain's vomiting center (CTZ) → Prevents nausea & vomiting

• Uses: Prevent chemo-induced nausea

• Side effects: Sleepy, headache, tired, nervous

• IV: Dilute + push slowly

ANTIEMETICS

drugs

    ondansetron                             

  promethazine         Phenergan® 

Cancer Prevention (Super Easy Summary)

How can you lower your risk of cancer?

🩺 1. Get regular checkups

These help find cancer early , when it's easier to treat.

• SBE = breast self-exam

• Mammogram = breast screening

• DRE = prostate exam

• Pap smear = cervical cancer screening

• Blood work

• Colon cancer screening

👉 Memory: "Find it early = Better chance of treatment."

🚭 2. Don't smoke or use tobacco

• Smoking damages your cells and DNA, increasing cancer risk.

❤ 3. Practice safe sex

• Helps prevent viruses like HPV , which can lead to some cancers.

🥗 4. Eat healthy

• Low-fat, high-fiber diet

• Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

• Limit red meat , since eating a lot may increase the risk of some cancers.

☀ 5. Wear sunscreen

• Protects your skin from UV rays , which can damage DNA and cause skin cancer.

SUPER QUICK MEMORY

Prevent cancer by:

• 🩺 Get screened

• 🚭 Don't smoke

• ❤ Practice safe sex

• 🥗 Eat healthy (low fat, high fiber, less red meat)

• ☀ Wear sunscreen

Easy phrase to memorize:

"Screen early, don't smoke, eat healthy, stay safe, and protect your skin."

Immunosuppressants (Super Easy Summary)

What are they?

• 💊 Drugs that slow down (suppress) the immune system .

Why are they used?

• 🫀 Prevent the body from rejecting organ or bone marrow transplants

• Help treat autoimmune diseases (when the immune system attacks the body), such as:

  • Systemic lupus erythematosus

  • Rheumatoid arthritis

  • Crohn's disease

👉 Memory: "Immune system is too active → Immunosuppressants calm it down."

MOA (How they work)

• 🛑Turn down T-cell activity

• 🔥 Reduces inflammation

• 🛡 Decrease the immune response

👉 Memory: "Calm the immune system."

Immunosuppressants (Super Easy Summary)

Side Effects

Side Effects

Because the immune system is weaker:

• 🦠 Higher risk of infections ⭐ (most important)

• 🩺 Kidney damage (nephrotoxicity)

• 🫀 Liver damage (hepatotoxicity)

• 🧠 Tremors, headache, CNS problems

• ⬆ High blood pressure (HTN)

• 🦷 Gingival hyperplasia = swollen/overgrown gums

• 🧔 Hirsutism = extra hair growth

• 🤢 Nausea, upset stomach (GI upset)

---

Immunosuppressants = Calm the immune system

• MOA: ↓ T cells + ↓ inflammation

• Use: Transplants + autoimmune diseases

• Big side effect: High risk of infection

• Other side effects: Kidney damage, liver damage, HTN, tremors, swollen gums, extra hair growth, nausea

IMMUNOSUPPRESSANTS

drug

cyclosporine

infliximab   (Remicade®)