Bleomycin (Antitumor Antibiotic)
Major side effect to know:
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Pulmonary fibrosis (thickened and stiff lung walls) is possible when the
lifetime dose of bleomycin exceeds 400 units.
Patients with lymphoma have a higher risk of anaphylaxis with bleomycin.
Two test doses can be administered prior to starting regular therapy.
Other significant side effects of bleomycin include the following:
Hypersensitivity reactions, particularly in patients with lymphoma
Cutaneous reactions
Important patient education teaching points include the following:
Reporting any shortness of breath
Reporting hyperpigmentation of skin, skin tenderness, nail changes, striae,
, or erythema
Protecting skin from sun exposure
Nitrosoureas
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These drugs work in a similar manner to alkylating agents. They inhibit DNA
and RNA synthesis through DNA alkylation and interfere with enzymes that
help copy and repair DNA.
Unlike most chemotherapy agents, nitrosoureas are able to cross the
blood-brain barrier.
Examples of these drugs include: Carmustine, Lomustine, Streptozocin
Side effects include severe myelosuppression with a delayed nadir of 4-6
weeks, nausea and vomiting, alopecia, renal and hepatic toxicities,
mucositis, anorexia, pulmonary fibrosis, and secondary malignancies with
long-term use.
How does biotherapy work?
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Biotherapy works differently than chemotherapy. These drugs help the
immune system to fight cancer by enhancing the body's natural defenses.
They may stop or slow cancer cell growth, or assist the immune system in
destroying the cells, preventing the spread of cancer. In addition, the ability
to target a specific type of cell provides the opportunity to focus therapy
while minimizing damage to healthy cells.
, Targeted Therapy:
Signal Transduction Inhibitors
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Signal transduction inhibitors block signal transduction, which is the
process by which a cell responds to signals from its environment. Cell
growth, function, and apoptosis are regulated through a process called cell
signaling.
Examples:
EGFR inhibitors (e.g., cetuximab, erlotinib)
HER2 inhibitors (e.g., trastuzumab, pertuzumab)
BCR-ABL inhibitors (also called tyrosine kinase inhibitors [TKIs]) (e.g.,
imatinib, dasatinib)
ALK inhibitors (also called multikinase inhibitors) (e.g., crizotinib, ceritinib)
BRAF kinase inhibitors (also called multikinase inhibitors) (e.g., vemurafenib,
dabrafenib)
What is a common side effect of vinca alkaloids?
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Constipation
Vinca Alkaloids - Vincristine, Vinblastine,
How does Cytarabine (antimetabolite) side effects change with dose and rate?
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Major side effect to know:
Give this one a try later!
Pulmonary fibrosis (thickened and stiff lung walls) is possible when the
lifetime dose of bleomycin exceeds 400 units.
Patients with lymphoma have a higher risk of anaphylaxis with bleomycin.
Two test doses can be administered prior to starting regular therapy.
Other significant side effects of bleomycin include the following:
Hypersensitivity reactions, particularly in patients with lymphoma
Cutaneous reactions
Important patient education teaching points include the following:
Reporting any shortness of breath
Reporting hyperpigmentation of skin, skin tenderness, nail changes, striae,
, or erythema
Protecting skin from sun exposure
Nitrosoureas
Give this one a try later!
These drugs work in a similar manner to alkylating agents. They inhibit DNA
and RNA synthesis through DNA alkylation and interfere with enzymes that
help copy and repair DNA.
Unlike most chemotherapy agents, nitrosoureas are able to cross the
blood-brain barrier.
Examples of these drugs include: Carmustine, Lomustine, Streptozocin
Side effects include severe myelosuppression with a delayed nadir of 4-6
weeks, nausea and vomiting, alopecia, renal and hepatic toxicities,
mucositis, anorexia, pulmonary fibrosis, and secondary malignancies with
long-term use.
How does biotherapy work?
Give this one a try later!
Biotherapy works differently than chemotherapy. These drugs help the
immune system to fight cancer by enhancing the body's natural defenses.
They may stop or slow cancer cell growth, or assist the immune system in
destroying the cells, preventing the spread of cancer. In addition, the ability
to target a specific type of cell provides the opportunity to focus therapy
while minimizing damage to healthy cells.
, Targeted Therapy:
Signal Transduction Inhibitors
Give this one a try later!
Signal transduction inhibitors block signal transduction, which is the
process by which a cell responds to signals from its environment. Cell
growth, function, and apoptosis are regulated through a process called cell
signaling.
Examples:
EGFR inhibitors (e.g., cetuximab, erlotinib)
HER2 inhibitors (e.g., trastuzumab, pertuzumab)
BCR-ABL inhibitors (also called tyrosine kinase inhibitors [TKIs]) (e.g.,
imatinib, dasatinib)
ALK inhibitors (also called multikinase inhibitors) (e.g., crizotinib, ceritinib)
BRAF kinase inhibitors (also called multikinase inhibitors) (e.g., vemurafenib,
dabrafenib)
What is a common side effect of vinca alkaloids?
Give this one a try later!
Constipation
Vinca Alkaloids - Vincristine, Vinblastine,
How does Cytarabine (antimetabolite) side effects change with dose and rate?
Give this one a try later!
