Cancer and Cell Cycle Kinetics

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the main effect of methotrexate on nucleotide and amino acid synthesis?

It has no effect on their synthesis.

It decreases their synthesis. (correct)

It converts them into non-functional forms.

It increases their synthesis significantly.

Which of the following cancers is not effectively treated with methotrexate?

Choriocarcinoma

Breast cancer

Wilms' tumor (correct)

Acute lymphocytic leukemia

What is a significant adverse effect associated with long-term use of methotrexate?

Hemolytic anemia

Pulmonary infiltrates and fibrosis (correct)

Severe myelosuppression

Neurotoxicity

What is the primary mechanism of action for vincristine?

Blocks mitotic spindle formation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an adverse effect of vincristine?

Areflexia Signup and view all the answers

How does bleomycin primarily damage DNA?

Through oxidative scission Signup and view all the answers

In which phase of the cell cycle does bleomycin act?

G2 phase Signup and view all the answers

What potential benefit does leucovorin provide during methotrexate treatment?

Reduces toxic effects on normal cells Signup and view all the answers

Which phase of the cell cycle do chemotherapeutic agents like 5-Fluorouracil primarily target?

S phase Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism of action for 5-Fluorouracil?

Inhibits thymidylate synthase Signup and view all the answers

For which type of cancer is 5-Fluorouracil most widely used?

Colorectal cancer Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a common adverse effect of 5-Fluorouracil?

Weight gain Signup and view all the answers

Methotrexate primarily inhibits which enzyme?

Dihydrofolate reductase Signup and view all the answers

What category does Methotrexate fall under in cancer treatment?

Antimetabolites Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of cell cycle-specific (CCS) drugs?

They only act during a specific phase of the cell cycle. Signup and view all the answers

Which drug is primarily used for the treatment of lymphomas?

Bleomycin Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following drugs is a pyrimidine analogue used in cancer treatment?

5-Fluorouracil Signup and view all the answers

What is a common adverse effect associated with Bleomycin?

Pulmonary dysfunction Signup and view all the answers

Which mechanism describes how 5-Fluorouracil exerts its effects?

Inhibits thymidylate synthase Signup and view all the answers

Which drug is classified as an alkylating agent?

Cyclophosphamide Signup and view all the answers

What adverse effect is specifically linked to Cyclophosphamide?

Hemorrhagic cystitis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about Imatinib?

It functions as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Signup and view all the answers

Which cancer is NOT a clinical use for Methotrexate?

Testicular carcinoma Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the action of Vincristine?

It interferes with microtubule assembly. Signup and view all the answers

Which mechanism best explains the resistance to fluorouracil in recurrent colon cancer?

Decreased activity of thymidylate synthase Signup and view all the answers

Which drug should be administered to counteract the toxicity of high-dose methotrexate in a patient?

Leucovorin Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary molecular action that mediates the therapeutic effect of doxorubicin?

It intercalates between DNA strands and inhibits topoisomerase II Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a common side effect associated with fluorouracil chemotherapy?

Flu-like symptoms Signup and view all the answers

In what scenario is decreased activity of the cell efflux pump primarily relevant?

Doxorubicin resistance Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary clinical use of trastuzumab?

To manage HER2-overexpressed metastatic breast cancer Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a severe side effect of trastuzumab?

Cardiac dysfunction Signup and view all the answers

What mechanism of action does doxorubicin employ to exert its effects?

Binds to DNA and creates free radicals Signup and view all the answers

Tamoxifen is primarily used to treat which condition?

Breast cancer that has metastasized Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following side effects is commonly associated with doxorubicin?

Alopecia Signup and view all the answers

What is the mechanism of action of trastuzumab?

Targets the HER2 receptor, inducing downregulation Signup and view all the answers

What type of cancer is NOT primarily treated with doxorubicin?

Prostate cancer Signup and view all the answers

What are common side effects associated with tamoxifen?

Menopause-like symptoms Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cancer Overview

Cancer involves uncontrolled cell growth and division, invading adjacent tissues and potentially spreading to distant sites.

Cell Cycle Phases

The cell cycle has distinct phases: G1, S, G2, and M.
G1: Cell growth and preparation for DNA replication.
S: DNA synthesis (replication).
G2: Cell growth and preparation for mitosis.
M: Mitosis (cell division).
The specific percentages of each phase are variable (G₁: 40%, S: 39%, G₂: 19%, M: 2%).
Go phase is a quiescent state.

Learning Objectives

Understand cancer cell cycle kinetics.
Classify cell cycle-specific and -nonspecific anticancer drugs.
Explain the mechanism of action of specific anticancer drugs (5-fluorouracil, methotrexate, vincristine, bleomycin).
Identify clinical uses of these drugs.
Understand adverse effects of these drugs.

Cancer Cell Cycle Kinetics

Cell cycle-specific (CCS) drugs selectively target cells in specific phases of the cell cycle.
Cell cycle-nonspecific (CCNS) drugs target cells in both cycling and resting phases.

Cell Cycle-Specific Drugs (CCS): Examples

Antimetabolites (S phase): 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), Capecitabine, Cytarabine (ara-C), Gemcitabine
Taxanes (M phase): Paclitaxel, Albumin-bound paclitaxel, Cabazitaxel
Vinca Alkaloids (M phase): Vinblastine, Vincristine, Vinorelbine
Epipodophyllotoxins (G₁-S phase): Etoposide
Antitumor antibiotics (G₂-M phase): Bleomycin

Antimetabolites (detailed)

Pyrimidine Analogues: 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), Capecitabine, Cytarabine (ara-C).
Purine Analogues: Mercaptopurine (6-MP), Thioguanine (6-TG), Azathioprine
Anti-folates: Methotrexate, Pralatrexate.

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)

An antimetabolite that acts primarily during the S phase.
It inhibits thymidylate synthase, interfering with DNA synthesis.
Common clinical uses include colorectal cancer.
Common adverse effects include myelosuppression, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and neurotoxicity.

Methotrexate

Inhibits dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), reducing purine nucleotide synthesis.
Effective against acute lymphocytic leukemia, choriocarcinoma, breast cancer, and head and neck cancers.
Common adverse effects include Bone marrow suppression, skin and gastrointestinal mucosa toxicity (mucositis).
Leucovorin rescue can be used to reduce toxicity.

Vinca Alkaloids (Vincristine)

Disrupts microtubule assembly during mitosis.
Used for acute lymphocytic leukemia, Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Wilms' tumor, and neuroblastoma.
Adverse effects include neurotoxicity (areflexia, peripheral neuritis, paralytic ileus), lack of myelosuppression.

Bleomycin

A cell-cycle specific (G2) anti-tumor antibiotic.
Causes DNA damage via oxidative process.
Used in Hodgkin's lymphoma and testicular cancer.
Adverse effects include pulmonary dysfunction, hypersensitivity reactions, and mucocutaneous reactions.

Other Drugs and Classes

Cyclophosphamide (CCNS): Alkylating agent used for various cancers.
Doxorubicin: Anthracycline antibiotic, damages DNA via oxygen free radicals and inhibits topoisomerase.
Imatinib: Tyrosine kinase inhibitor, used for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML).
Trastuzumab: Humanized monoclonal antibody that targets HER2, used in breast cancer.

Additional Information

Drug classifications based on cell cycle specificity and mechanism of action.
Specific examples of cancers typically treated with each drug.
Potential adverse effects of each anticancer drug.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz explores cancer biology, focusing on the phases of the cell cycle and the action of anticancer drugs. You'll learn about the specific kinetics of cancer cell cycles, classifications of drugs, and their clinical applications. Test your knowledge on drug mechanisms and their adverse effects.