Lecture 11.1 - Neoplasia 4

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Questions and Answers

What is a common goal of radiotherapy in treating cancer cells?

To preserve normal cells and damage only cancer cells (correct)

To eliminate only normal cells and preserve cancer cells

To target all proliferating cells regardless of type

To target only cancer cells and not normal cells

What is a potential benefit of using gold nanoparticles in radiotherapy?

They increase the dose of radiation required

They reduce the dose of radiation required

They amplify the effects of radiation and cause more DNA damage (correct)

They have no effect on radiation

What is the mechanism of action of Rituximab in treating leukaemia and lymphoma cells?

It targets a protein called CD20 on the surface of cancer stem cells

It targets a protein called CD20 on the surface of immune cells

It targets a protein called CD20 on the surface of leukaemia and lymphoma cells (correct)

It targets a protein called CD20 on the surface of normal cells

What is a characteristic of cancer cells that makes them more susceptible to radiation?

They are constantly proliferating and dividing Signup and view all the answers

What is a goal of precision medicine in treating cancer?

To classify cancers by molecular abnormalities and site of origin Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential side effect of radiotherapy on the upper abdomen?

Nausea and vomiting Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of peptide-coated gold nanoparticles?

They are stable and biocompatible Signup and view all the answers

Why are gold or platinum nanoparticles used in cancer treatment?

Because they are inert and non-toxic Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of adjuvant treatment in cancer management?

To eliminate subclinical disease after surgical removal of a primary tumour Signup and view all the answers

What is the TNM staging system based on?

Size and extent of metastatic spread of the lesion Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment?

Neoadjuvant treatment is given before surgery, while adjuvant treatment is given after surgery Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of Grade I tumour cells?

Well-differentiated and closely resembling normal tissue structure Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of cancer patients are 'cured' through surgery alone?

49% Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of surgical treatment for cancer?

To remove the entire tumour and surrounding tissue Signup and view all the answers

What type of cancer treatment involves the use of drugs to kill cancer cells?

Chemotherapy Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process of assigning a stage to a cancer based on the TNM system?

Staging Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of neoadjuvant treatment in cancer management?

To reduce the size of a primary tumour prior to surgical excision Signup and view all the answers

What is the mechanism of action of antimetabolite chemotherapy drugs, such as Fluorouracil?

They mimic normal substrates involved in DNA replication Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of using combination chemotherapy compared to single-agent therapy?

It reduces the risk of side effects by allowing for lower doses of each drug Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of fractionation in radiotherapy?

To reduce the risk of side effects Signup and view all the answers

What is a common medium-term side effect of cytotoxic chemotherapy?

Hair loss Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism of action of radiotherapy?

It makes it difficult for cells to replicate Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy?

Adjuvant therapy is used after surgery, while neoadjuvant therapy is used before Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of high-dose chemotherapy?

To destroy bone marrow Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Neoadjuvant Treatment

Given to reduce the size of a primary tumour prior to surgical excision

Chemotherapy

Use of drugs to treat cancer
Classes:
- Antimetabolites (e.g. Fluorouracil) mimic normal substrates involved in DNA replication
- Alkylating and platinum-based drugs (e.g. cyclophosphamide and cisplatin) cross-link the two strands of the DNA helix
- Antibiotics (e.g. doxorubicin and bleomycin) act in several different ways
- Plant-derived drugs (e.g. vincristine) block microtubule assembly and interfere with mitotic spindle formation
Ways of delivering cytotoxics:
- Single agent
- Combination
- Continuous infusion
- Intermittent
- High dose
Side effects:
- Immediate: pain at injection site, sensation of cold, itching, hypersensitivity reaction, allergic reaction, leakage of drug into tissues
- Medium-term: hair loss, low blood count, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, sore mouth, flu-like symptoms, tiredness, weakness, diarrhea, constipation, blood in urine, discolored urine

Radiotherapy

Use of high energy X-rays and similar rays to cause damage to cells and prevent replication
Methods:
- Single dose
- Daily dose
- Daily treatments with fractions to preserve normal tissue and reduce side effects
Side effects:
- Fatigue
- Malnutrition
- Weight loss
- Skin: redness/sunburn-like symptoms
- Head and neck: irritation of mucosal lining, dryness, ulceration
- Chest: heartburn-like symptoms if esophagus is affected
- Upper abdomen: nausea and vomiting
- Lower abdomen: cramps, diarrhea, and urinary problems

Tumour Stage and Grading

Tumour stage measured by size and extent of metastatic spread
TNM system used for most cancers
Staging:
- T: size of tumour
- N: involvement of lymph nodes
- M: presence or absence of distant metastasis
Grading:
- Degree of differentiation exhibited by cells
- How closely cells resemble normal tissue structure
- Grade I: low grade, well differentiated
- Grade II: moderately differentiated
- Grade III: poorly differentiated
- Grade IV: undifferentiated (anaplastic)

Cancer Treatments

Surgery: removal of body tissue, one of main treatments for cancer
Chemotherapy: use of drugs to treat cancer
Radiotherapy: use of high energy X-rays and similar rays to cause damage to cells
Molecular targeted therapies: targeted treatment of cancer cells
Cure rate comparisons:
- 11% of those 'cured' of cancer are treated by chemotherapy
- 49% of those 'cured' of cancer are treated by surgery

Nanoparticles and Target Molecular Therapies

Gold nanoparticles can amplify the effects of radiation and cause more damage to cancer cells
Creating peptide-coated gold designer nanoparticles can target GBM cells preferentially
Target molecular therapies:
- Mab's and Inib's: monoclonal antibodies and targeted inhibitors
- Precision medicine: cancers classified by molecular abnormalities and site of origin

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Description

This quiz covers the different types of treatments for cancer, including neoadjuvant therapy, chemotherapy, and their mechanisms of action.