APHON Chemo Agents &
Classifications Questions with
Accurate Answers
cell cycle specific - ANSWERSaffective during specific phase, w/ maximal effect on
rapidly dividing cells
cell cycle non-specific - ANSWERSdisregard phase. dose dependent. effective on slow
growing cancer cells b/c cytotoxic in resting phase as well. degree of cell kill directly
correlates to dose administered
alkylating agents - ANSWERSnon-specific. although most active in resting phase.
cause dna strand breaks
antimetabolites - ANSWERSinterfere w/ cell metabolism by inhibiting enzyme
production or producing nonfunctional end product. interrupts protein synthesis, rna, or
dna
anthracyclines - ANSWERSprevent rejoining of cleaved dna strands by inhibiting
topoisomerase ii (dna untangling enzyme). also forms hydroxyl radicals which attack
dna/cell membrane lipids (cardiotoxic)
give cardioprotective agents alongside
abx are subset but breakdown is usually stable
plant derivatives - ANSWERSvinca alkaloids - vcr, vinblastine, vinorelbine, vindesine
tubulin interactive agets: interfere w/ microtubule formation/function leading to arrest in
mitosis. cell cycle specific
taxanes - ANSWERSplant derivitive that inhibits microtubular disassembly necessary to
finish mitosis
epipodophyllotoxins - ANSWERSetoposide, teniposide
inhibit topoisomerase ii and produce dna-strand breaks
cell cycle specific
camptothecin - ANSWERStopotecan, irinotecan
inhibit topoisomerase i causing dna-strand breaks & cell death
corticosteroids - ANSWERSmodifies transcription process in dna formation
dexamethasone, prednisone
Classifications Questions with
Accurate Answers
cell cycle specific - ANSWERSaffective during specific phase, w/ maximal effect on
rapidly dividing cells
cell cycle non-specific - ANSWERSdisregard phase. dose dependent. effective on slow
growing cancer cells b/c cytotoxic in resting phase as well. degree of cell kill directly
correlates to dose administered
alkylating agents - ANSWERSnon-specific. although most active in resting phase.
cause dna strand breaks
antimetabolites - ANSWERSinterfere w/ cell metabolism by inhibiting enzyme
production or producing nonfunctional end product. interrupts protein synthesis, rna, or
dna
anthracyclines - ANSWERSprevent rejoining of cleaved dna strands by inhibiting
topoisomerase ii (dna untangling enzyme). also forms hydroxyl radicals which attack
dna/cell membrane lipids (cardiotoxic)
give cardioprotective agents alongside
abx are subset but breakdown is usually stable
plant derivatives - ANSWERSvinca alkaloids - vcr, vinblastine, vinorelbine, vindesine
tubulin interactive agets: interfere w/ microtubule formation/function leading to arrest in
mitosis. cell cycle specific
taxanes - ANSWERSplant derivitive that inhibits microtubular disassembly necessary to
finish mitosis
epipodophyllotoxins - ANSWERSetoposide, teniposide
inhibit topoisomerase ii and produce dna-strand breaks
cell cycle specific
camptothecin - ANSWERStopotecan, irinotecan
inhibit topoisomerase i causing dna-strand breaks & cell death
corticosteroids - ANSWERSmodifies transcription process in dna formation
dexamethasone, prednisone
