Antineoplastic Drugs and their Classification

Definition

An antineoplastic drug is a medication used to treat cancer by preventing or slowing the growth of cancer cells.

Classification

Antineoplastic drugs can be classified into several categories:

• Alkylating agents: damage DNA and prevent cell division (e.g. cyclophosphamide, busulfan)
• Antimetabolites: interfere with DNA synthesis and cell growth (e.g. methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil)
• Antitumor antibiotics: inhibit DNA synthesis and cell growth (e.g. doxorubicin, bleomycin)
• Plant-derived agents: inhibit cell growth and division (e.g. paclitaxel, vinblastine)
• Hormonal agents: inhibit hormone-dependent tumor growth (e.g. tamoxifen, leuprolide)
• Targeted therapies: inhibit specific molecular targets involved in cancer growth and progression (e.g. trastuzumab, imatinib)
• Biologic response modifiers: stimulate the immune system to fight cancer (e.g. interferon, interleukin-2)

Mechanisms of Action

Antineoplastic drugs work through various mechanisms, including:

• Inhibiting cell proliferation
• Inducing apoptosis (cell death)
• Inhibiting angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation)
• Enhancing immune response
• Inhibiting DNA repair

Side Effects

Antineoplastic drugs can cause a range of side effects, including:

• Myelosuppression (bone marrow suppression)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Hair loss
• Fatigue
• Increased risk of infection
• Organ damage

Administration

Antineoplastic drugs can be administered through various routes, including:

• Oral
• Intravenous
• Intramuscular
• Subcutaneous
• Topical

Resistance and Toxicity

Antineoplastic drugs can lead to resistance and toxicity due to various factors, including:

• Genetic mutations
• Gene amplification
• Increased efflux pumps
• Dose-related toxicity
• Organ damage

Monitoring and Dose Adjustment

Regular monitoring of treatment response and side effects is crucial to adjust doses and minimize toxicity. This includes:

• Blood cell counts
• Liver and kidney function tests
• Tumor marker assessments
• Imaging studies

These notes provide an overview of antineoplastic drugs, their classification, mechanisms of action, side effects, administration, resistance, and toxicity, as well as the importance of monitoring and dose adjustment.

Definition

• Antineoplastic drugs are medications used to treat cancer by preventing or slowing the growth of cancer cells.

Classification

• Alkylating agents damage DNA and prevent cell division, e.g. cyclophosphamide, busulfan.
• Antimetabolites interfere with DNA synthesis and cell growth, e.g. methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil.
• Antitumor antibiotics inhibit DNA synthesis and cell growth, e.g. doxorubicin, bleomycin.
• Plant-derived agents inhibit cell growth and division, e.g. paclitaxel, vinblastine.
• Hormonal agents inhibit hormone-dependent tumor growth, e.g. tamoxifen, leuprolide.
• Targeted therapies inhibit specific molecular targets involved in cancer growth and progression, e.g. trastuzumab, imatinib.
• Biologic response modifiers stimulate the immune system to fight cancer, e.g. interferon, interleukin-2.

Mechanisms of Action

• Inhibiting cell proliferation.
• Inducing apoptosis (cell death).
• Inhibiting angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation).
• Enhancing immune response.
• Inhibiting DNA repair.

Side Effects

• Myelosuppression (bone marrow suppression).
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Hair loss.
• Fatigue.
• Increased risk of infection.
• Organ damage.

Administration

• Oral administration.
• Intravenous administration.
• Intramuscular administration.
• Subcutaneous administration.
• Topical administration.

Resistance and Toxicity

• Genetic mutations can lead to resistance and toxicity.
• Gene amplification can lead to resistance and toxicity.
• Increased efflux pumps can lead to resistance and toxicity.
• Dose-related toxicity.
• Organ damage can lead to toxicity.

Monitoring and Dose Adjustment

• Blood cell counts are used to monitor treatment response and side effects.
• Liver and kidney function tests are used to monitor treatment response and side effects.
• Tumor marker assessments are used to monitor treatment response.
• Imaging studies are used to monitor treatment response.
• Regular monitoring is crucial to adjust doses and minimize toxicity.