Anti-neoplastic Agents (Med Chem: 2) Notes Download
Keywords: Download PDF, Notes, PPT, Anti-neoplastic Agents, Cancer, Carcinoma, Sarcoma, Leukemia, Lymphoma, Myeloma, Central Nervous System Cancers, Alkylating Agents, Antimetabolites, Chemotherapy, Nitrogen Mustards, Cyclophosphamide, Methotrexate, 6-Mercaptopurine
This document provides detailed notes on anti-neoplastic agents, including their classification, mechanisms of action, and therapeutic uses in treating various types of cancer.
Anti-neoplastic Agents (Med Chem: 2) Notes
Introduction
Cancer is a disease characterized by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division, attacking surrounding tissues and organs, and spreading to distant body parts through blood and lymph. Cancer is classified into the following categories:
- Carcinoma: Starts in the skin or tissues lining internal organs. Subtypes include adenocarcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and transitional cell carcinoma.
- Sarcoma: Starts in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissues.
- Leukemia: Starts in blood-forming tissues (bone marrow) and produces numerous abnormal blood cells.
- Lymphoma and Myeloma: Starts in the cells of the immune system.
- Central Nervous System Cancers: Starts in the brain and spinal cord tissues.
Anti-neoplastic Agents
Anti-neoplastic or anticancer drugs are used to treat malignancies or cancerous growths. They are used alone (chemotherapy) or in combination with surgery or radiation therapy.
Classification
Anti-neoplastic agents are classified as follows:
- Alkylating Agents
- Nitrogen Mustards: Mechlorethamine (Mustine HCl), Ifosfamide, Cyclophosphamide, Chlorambucil, and Melphalan.
- Ethylenimine: Thiotepa.
- Alkyl Sulfonate: Busulfan.
- Nitrosoureas: Carmustine (BCNU) and Lomustine (CCNU).
- Triazine: Dacarbazine (DTIC).
- Antimetabolites
- Folate Antagonist: Methotrexate (Mtx).
- Purine Antagonist: 6-Mercaptopurine (6-MP), 6-Thioguanine (6-TG), and Azathioprine.
- Pyrimidine Antagonist: 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and Cytarabine (cytosine arabinoside).
Mechanism of Action
Alkylating agents work by adding alkyl groups to DNA, causing DNA strand breaks and preventing cancer cells from proliferating. Antimetabolites interfere with DNA and RNA synthesis by mimicking essential metabolites, disrupting cell division.
Therapeutic Uses
Anti-neoplastic agents are used to treat a wide range of cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, and gastrointestinal cancers. They are often used in combination with other therapies to enhance efficacy.
Side Effects
Common side effects of anti-neoplastic agents include nausea, vomiting, bone marrow suppression, hair loss, and increased risk of infections. Careful monitoring and supportive care are essential during treatment.
Info!
If you are the copyright owner of this document and want to report it, please visit the copyright infringement notice page to submit a report.
