24 Questions
What is a common goal of radiotherapy in treating cancer cells?
To preserve normal cells and damage only cancer cells
What is a potential benefit of using gold nanoparticles in radiotherapy?
They amplify the effects of radiation and cause more DNA damage
What is the mechanism of action of Rituximab in treating leukaemia and lymphoma cells?
It targets a protein called CD20 on the surface of leukaemia and lymphoma cells
What is a characteristic of cancer cells that makes them more susceptible to radiation?
They are constantly proliferating and dividing
What is a goal of precision medicine in treating cancer?
To classify cancers by molecular abnormalities and site of origin
What is a potential side effect of radiotherapy on the upper abdomen?
Nausea and vomiting
What is a characteristic of peptide-coated gold nanoparticles?
They are stable and biocompatible
Why are gold or platinum nanoparticles used in cancer treatment?
Because they are inert and non-toxic
What is the primary purpose of adjuvant treatment in cancer management?
To eliminate subclinical disease after surgical removal of a primary tumour
What is the TNM staging system based on?
Size and extent of metastatic spread of the lesion
What is the primary difference between neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment?
Neoadjuvant treatment is given before surgery, while adjuvant treatment is given after surgery
What is the definition of Grade I tumour cells?
Well-differentiated and closely resembling normal tissue structure
What percentage of cancer patients are 'cured' through surgery alone?
49%
What is the primary goal of surgical treatment for cancer?
To remove the entire tumour and surrounding tissue
What type of cancer treatment involves the use of drugs to kill cancer cells?
Chemotherapy
What is the term for the process of assigning a stage to a cancer based on the TNM system?
Staging
What is the primary goal of neoadjuvant treatment in cancer management?
To reduce the size of a primary tumour prior to surgical excision
What is the mechanism of action of antimetabolite chemotherapy drugs, such as Fluorouracil?
They mimic normal substrates involved in DNA replication
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
What is the purpose of fractionation in radiotherapy?
To reduce the risk of side effects
What is a common medium-term side effect of cytotoxic chemotherapy?
Hair loss
What is the primary mechanism of action of radiotherapy?
It makes it difficult for cells to replicate
What is the difference between adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy?
Adjuvant therapy is used after surgery, while neoadjuvant therapy is used before
What is the purpose of high-dose chemotherapy?
To destroy bone marrow
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
This quiz covers the different types of treatments for cancer, including neoadjuvant therapy, chemotherapy, and their mechanisms of action.
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