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ONS Chemotherapy Drug Questions
with Detailed Verified Answers
Question:Alkylating Agents
Ans: synthetic chemicals that cause breaks in DNA strands
Non-specific cell cycle
Examples: Busulfan, Cisplatin, Carboplatin, Cyclophosphamide, Ifosfamide,
Melphalan, Oxaliplatin
Question: Common alkylating agents
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Ans: Alkylating agents function by causing a break in the DNA helix strand,
causing interference with DNA replication, which results in cell death.
Alkylating agents are subcategorized into several groups. The most common
alkylating agents, known as nitrogen mustards, typically include the following:
Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan®)
Ifosfamide (Ifex®)
Bendamustine (Treanda®)
Platinum-based chemotherapy agents act similarly to alkylating agents, but
they do not possess an alkyl group molecule to attach to and destroy DNA.
Despite this, they are often termed alkylating agents, or alkylating-like
agents. Common platinum-based drugs include the following:
Cisplatin (Platinol®)
Carboplatin (Paraplatin®)
However, depending on the type of patients that you see, other alkylating
agents may be more common in your workplace. A third subcategory of
alkylating agents is known as the nitrosoureas.
Question: Alkylating Agents:
Dose limiting? Side effects?
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Ans: These agents have many dose-limiting toxiciites that need to be
monitored closely, including the following:
Bone marrow suppression, which can put a patient at risk for infection
Gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities, particularly nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Renal toxicities
Hepatotoxicity
Pulmonary fibrosis
Hypersensitivities
Question: Key points to remember about the alkylating agents and
nitrosoureas:
ONS Chemotherapy Drug Questions
with Detailed Verified Answers
Question:Alkylating Agents
Ans: synthetic chemicals that cause breaks in DNA strands
Non-specific cell cycle
Examples: Busulfan, Cisplatin, Carboplatin, Cyclophosphamide, Ifosfamide,
Melphalan, Oxaliplatin
Question: Common alkylating agents
, Page | 2
Ans: Alkylating agents function by causing a break in the DNA helix strand,
causing interference with DNA replication, which results in cell death.
Alkylating agents are subcategorized into several groups. The most common
alkylating agents, known as nitrogen mustards, typically include the following:
Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan®)
Ifosfamide (Ifex®)
Bendamustine (Treanda®)
Platinum-based chemotherapy agents act similarly to alkylating agents, but
they do not possess an alkyl group molecule to attach to and destroy DNA.
Despite this, they are often termed alkylating agents, or alkylating-like
agents. Common platinum-based drugs include the following:
Cisplatin (Platinol®)
Carboplatin (Paraplatin®)
However, depending on the type of patients that you see, other alkylating
agents may be more common in your workplace. A third subcategory of
alkylating agents is known as the nitrosoureas.
Question: Alkylating Agents:
Dose limiting? Side effects?
, Page | 3
Ans: These agents have many dose-limiting toxiciites that need to be
monitored closely, including the following:
Bone marrow suppression, which can put a patient at risk for infection
Gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities, particularly nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Renal toxicities
Hepatotoxicity
Pulmonary fibrosis
Hypersensitivities
Question: Key points to remember about the alkylating agents and
nitrosoureas:
