PHRM240 Chemotherapy MCQs

Obstacles and Recommendations for Successful Chemotherapy

• High growth fraction, non-solid tumors, and large tumor size present challenges in achieving effective chemotherapy.
• Stopping treatment cycles when cancer is undetectable on PET scans, optimizing dosing schedules, and combining drugs with the same mechanism of action are strategies recommended for enhancing chemotherapy success.

Cell Cycle Phase and Drug Characteristics

• Cell cycle phase non-specific drugs do not affect resting cells and can be administered as a single bolus or through prolonged infusion, but their efficacy is schedule dependent.

Role of Glucocorticoids in Cancer Treatment

• Glucocorticoids help manage chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting but can lead to increased cerebral edema and promote weight loss while boosting neutrophil counts.

Strategies for Cytotoxic Chemotherapy

• Implementation of regional drug delivery, intermittent chemotherapy, combination chemotherapy, and optimized dosing scheduling depends on whether the drug is cell cycle phase specific or not.

Gastrointestinal vs. Brain Cell Toxicity

• Gastrointestinal cells are more susceptible to cytotoxic drug toxicity compared to brain cells due to their higher growth fraction and greater abundance.

Mechanisms of Cytotoxic Drug Resistance

• Drug resistance mechanisms include reduced drug intake, activation, or target molecule sensitivity; however, resistance does not involve reduced efflux.

Barriers to Effective Cancer Therapy

• Cytotoxic drugs kill a constant number of cancer cells, and cancer cells can replicate faster than normal cells, complicating treatment efforts.

Impact of Drug Combinations

• Combining cytotoxic drugs with no shared toxicity can enhance response rates but may lead to more injury to normal cells and higher rates of relapse.

Nausea and Vomiting After Chemotherapy

• These adverse effects occur due to inhibition of the chemoreceptor trigger zone, typically presenting 7-10 days after treatment, manageable with premedication like steroids, and can be associated with kidney injury.

Hormonal Agents in Cancer

• Hormonal agents are not classified as cytotoxic drugs because they don't significantly disrupt the cell cycle and are not inherently toxic.

Tamoxifen Mechanism of Action

• Tamoxifen specifically blocks estrogen receptors in breast tissue, therefore hindering estrogen's stimulating effects on tumor growth.

Administration Routes for Chemotherapy

• Intrathecal administration of drugs allows higher doses to target tumor cells directly, preventing the formation of drug-resistant mutations.

Consequences of Hyperuricemia from Chemotherapy

• Hyperuricemia complications primarily affect the kidneys, emphasizing the importance of monitoring renal function during treatment.

Infection Risk During Chemotherapy

• The highest infection risk generally occurs 10 to 14 days after chemotherapy infusion due to immune system suppression effects.

Adverse Effects of Vinca Alkaloids

• Vincristine, a vinca alkaloid, is primarily associated with peripheral sensory and motor neuropathy as an adverse reaction.

Cardiotoxicity from Chemotherapy

• Doxorubicin is known for causing severe, irreversible cardiomyopathy when the maximum cumulative dose is surpassed.

Treatment for Wilms Tumor

• The drug intercalating into DNA that works independently of the cell cycle stage is likely doxorubicin.

Renal and Auditory Toxicity

• Cisplatin can lead to high-frequency hearing loss and declining renal function, common concerns during treatment.

Purpose of G-CSF in Chemotherapy

• G-CSF is administered post-chemotherapy to mitigate the risk and severity of chemo-induced neutropenia and subsequent infections.

Test your knowledge on chemotherapy with these multiple-choice questions from PHRM240. The quiz covers key concepts and obstacles related to successful chemotherapy treatment. Ideal for students studying pharmacy or oncology.