Mastering Cancer Drugs

Cancer Drugs Overview

• Methotrexate is a folic acid analog that inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, retarding DNA/RNA synthesis and protein synthesis.
• 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) blocks thymidykate synthase after activation to 5-FDUMP and is used as a topical treatment for actinic keratosis.
• Cytarabine (ara-C) is a cytosine analog that stalls DNA synthesis upon incorporation and inhibits DNA and RNA polymerase.
• Topoisomerase II inhibitors, such as Etoposide and Teniposide, lead to double-stranded DNA breaks and eventually apoptosis.
• Vinca alkaloids like Vinblastine and Vincristine bind tubulin and prevent mitotic spindle formation.
• Taxoids/Taxanes, like Paclitaxel, induce microtubule stabilization, preventing anaphase.
• Alkylating agents, like Cyclophosphamide, cause irreversible changes in DNA, RNA, and protein.
• Platinum compounds, like Cisplatin, form intra-/interstrand crosslinks in DNA.
• Antitumor antibiotics, such as Doxorubicin, intercalate in DNA, leading to DNA breakage and inhibition of transcription.
• Camptothecins, like Topotecan and Ironotecan, inhibit topoisomerase I, leading to single-strand breaks in DNA and blocking DNA replication and transcription.
• Nuclear hormone receptors, like Tamoxifen and Enzalutamide, are targeted for hormone-related cancers like breast and prostate cancer.
• Novel therapies, such as Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., Imatinib), target specific receptors like BCR ABL and HER2 for certain cancers like CML and breast cancer.