APHON EXAM SCRIPT 2026 FULL
SOLUTIONS VERIFIED CORRECT
RESPONSES HIGH SCORING
◉ Tumor burden
Answer: Size of the tumor as determined by the number of cells
present.
◉ A higher growth fraction
Answer: Results in a higher cell kill with exposure to cell cycle
specific agents.
◉ The higher the tumor cell burden
Answer: The greater the probability of the development of drug
resistance
◉ Gompertzian function
Answer: As the tumor burden increases, the rate of growth slows or
levels off.
◉ 6 essential alterations in normal cell physiology that dictate
malignant growth
, Answer: 1. Self-sufficiency in growth signals 2. Insensitivity to
growth-inhibitory signals 3. Avoidance of apoptosis 4. Limitless
replication potential 5. Sustained antiangiogenesis 6. Tissue invasion
and metastasis
◉ 6 cell characteristics of malignant cells in easier terms
Answer: Mutated DNA alters instructions for function 2. Parasitic to
host and has no beneficial function 3. Uncontrolled reproduction 4.
Invades surrounding tissues and mets 5. Immortal 6. Call birth is
greater then cell death
◉ 6 mechanisms of drug resistance by the cell
Answer: 1. Decreased drug uptake by the cell 2. Increased removal of
the drug out of the cell r/t changes in the cell membrane 3.
Detoxification of the drug in the cell r/t metabolic changes 4.
Increased repair of DNA 5. Alterations in the structure of drug
receptor sites 6. Decreased sensitivity to apoptosis.
◉ MDR1
Answer: Multidrug resistance gene 1. May occur prior to exposure of
chemo or after. Caused by the presence of P-glycoprotein
◉ How should chemo be administered to maximize effectiveness?
Answer: At the maximum tolerated doses with the shortest possible
interval
SOLUTIONS VERIFIED CORRECT
RESPONSES HIGH SCORING
◉ Tumor burden
Answer: Size of the tumor as determined by the number of cells
present.
◉ A higher growth fraction
Answer: Results in a higher cell kill with exposure to cell cycle
specific agents.
◉ The higher the tumor cell burden
Answer: The greater the probability of the development of drug
resistance
◉ Gompertzian function
Answer: As the tumor burden increases, the rate of growth slows or
levels off.
◉ 6 essential alterations in normal cell physiology that dictate
malignant growth
, Answer: 1. Self-sufficiency in growth signals 2. Insensitivity to
growth-inhibitory signals 3. Avoidance of apoptosis 4. Limitless
replication potential 5. Sustained antiangiogenesis 6. Tissue invasion
and metastasis
◉ 6 cell characteristics of malignant cells in easier terms
Answer: Mutated DNA alters instructions for function 2. Parasitic to
host and has no beneficial function 3. Uncontrolled reproduction 4.
Invades surrounding tissues and mets 5. Immortal 6. Call birth is
greater then cell death
◉ 6 mechanisms of drug resistance by the cell
Answer: 1. Decreased drug uptake by the cell 2. Increased removal of
the drug out of the cell r/t changes in the cell membrane 3.
Detoxification of the drug in the cell r/t metabolic changes 4.
Increased repair of DNA 5. Alterations in the structure of drug
receptor sites 6. Decreased sensitivity to apoptosis.
◉ MDR1
Answer: Multidrug resistance gene 1. May occur prior to exposure of
chemo or after. Caused by the presence of P-glycoprotein
◉ How should chemo be administered to maximize effectiveness?
Answer: At the maximum tolerated doses with the shortest possible
interval
