This document discusses different types of antineoplastic agents (anticancer drugs) used to treat cancer. It describes the goals of cancer treatment and types of agents that work during specific or non-specific phases of the cell cycle. It covers principles of chemotherapy including timing, combination therapy, and drug classifications. Major side effects of chemotherapy like bone marrow depression and nausea/vomiting are outlined. Specific drug classes are then described in more detail, including alkylating agents, antimetabolites, hormonal agents, antibiotics, and radioactive drugs.

1. ANTICANCER DRUGS

2. ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENT
• GOAL OF TREATMENT: to
treat cancer cells and
conserve normal cells by
interfering with cancer cell
reproduction
• USE
• Cure
• Relieve symptoms
• Prevent complication
• Reduce tumor size before
surgery
• TYPES OF AGENT
• Cell cycle specific: respond
during a specific cycle of
the cell
• Cell cycle non-specific:
respond during any phase
• Recovery period is needed
to allow normal cell to
regenerate 
chemotherapy may be
given for several month
then stopped for a period
of time

3. ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENT
• PRINCIPLE OF
CHEMOTHERAPY
• Timing of dose around the
cell cycle and in relation to
other drugs is critical
• Combination therapy is
more effective
• Effectiveness of the drug
relies on the number of
cells in division
• Classification of agent
according to tissue
response if infiltration
occurs
• Vesicant : cause blister,
tissue sloughing, necrosis
• Non-vesicant : no severe
tissue destruction, usually
administered first
• Irritant : cause
thrombophlebitis, cellulitis,
possible necrosis

4. ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENT
• HANDLING OF THE DRUGS
• Use gloves, protective
garment, mask
• Prime IVF with saline
solution
• Disposed all used in
preparation and
administration in container
labeled “HAZARDOUS
WASTE”
• DURING ADMINISTRATION
• Choose appropriate site 
distal to proximal, avoid
sites over joints
• Consider sequence,
delivery, vesicant property
• Check for blood return in IV
• Avoid extravasation

5. ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENT
MAJOR SIDE
EFFECTS
• Bone Marrow
Depression
• Leukopenia : decrease
WBC
• Assess for infection 
monitor temperature
• Thrombocytopenia :
decrease platelet
• Assess for bleeding 
petechiae
• Anemia : monitor H&H
• Pallor of skin
• Increased fatigue
• Shortness of breath

6. ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENT
• Nausea & Vomiting
• Stomatitis
• Alopecia
• CLASSIFICATION OF
DRUGS
• Alkylating agent
• Antimetabolites
• Antibiotics
• Hormonal agent
• Radioactive agent

7. ALKYLATING AGENTS
• Disrupt structure of
DNA
• Cell cycle nonspecific
• COMMON DRUGS
• Busulfan – Myleran
• Chlorambucil –
Leukeran
• Cisplatin – Platinol
• Mechlorethamine -
Mustard
• USE
• Leukemia
• Hodgkin’s
• CA of breast, ovaries,
testes, prostate

8. ALKYLATING AGENTS
• ADVERSE EFFECTS
• Bone marrow
depression  severe
side effect
• N & V
• alopecia
• NURSING
CONSIDERATION
• Cause infertility
problem
• Mustard is a vesicant
• Cisplatin is irritant

9. ANTIMETEBOLITES
• Cell cycle specific
• Inhibit DNA and RNA
synthesis
• COMMON DRUGS
• Cytarabine – Cytosar-U
• Fluxuridine – FUDR
• Fluorouracil – 5FU
• Mercatopurine –6-MP
• Methotrexate - MTX
• USE
• Effective in rapidly
proliferating cancer
• Leukemia
• Ca of the breast, GIT, neck,
cervix
• ADVERSE EFFECT
• Bone marrow depression
• stomatitis

10. ANTIMETEBOLITES
NURSING CONSIDERATION
• Can cause nephrotoxicity  monitor lab results
• Encourage fluid intake
• May take folic acid increase protection of normal
cell

11. HORMONAL ANTINEPLASTIC AGENTS
• Cytostatic : alter
hormonal environment
of tumor
• USE: CA of
• Prostate
• Breast
• Endometrium
• Renal system
• COMMON AGENTS
• Androgen
• Estrogen
• Pogesterone
• Corticosteroids
• ADVERSE EFFECTS
• N & V
• alopecia

12. RADIOACTIVE DRUG
• Emits radiation
• To destroy specific cell
• Cell specific
• USES:
• Leukemia
• Thyroid CA
• SIDE EFFECT
• Bone marrow depression
• NURSING CONSIDERATION
• Require isolation
precaution  prevent
radiation contamination

13. ANTIBIOTICS
• Cell cycle specific
• Non cell cycle specific
• Binds with DNA
• USE
• Hodgkin’s
• Testicular carcinoma
• Breast and bladder CA
• COMON DRUGS
• Doxorubicin –
Adriamycin
• Bleomycin – Blenoxane
• Plicamycin = Mithracin

14. ANTIBIOTICS
• ADVERSE EFFECT
• Bone marrow
depression – severe
side effect
• N & V
• Alopecia
• NURSING IMPLICATION
• Al are vesicant except
bleomycin  irritant
• Teach sign of infection

17. Thank
you