Cancer arises from defects in mechanisms controlling cell growth. Anti-cancer drugs target rapidly dividing cells like tumor stem cells that drive proliferation and metastasis. These drugs are toxic and can damage bone marrow, lymph nodes, gastrointestinal tract, skin, and gonads. Toxicity is managed through pulsed dosing, local administration, and anti-emetics. Methotrexate is an anti-metabolite drug that interferes with DNA and RNA synthesis by inhibiting dihydrofolate reductase. It is used to treat several cancers as well as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, but can cause mucositis, myelosuppression, gastrointestinal issues, and dermatitis. Leucovorin rescue
2. CANCER
Cancer is a disease which is characterized by
“Defect in normal control mechanisms that govern cell survival, proliferation
and differentiation”
TUMOUR STEM CELLS
Small sub-population of cells inside the tumor mass which have the ability to
1-Undergo repeated proliferation
2-Metastatize
3. TOXICITY OF ANTI-CANCER DRUGS
Common toxicity :
1-Bone marrow
2-Lymphoreticular tissue
3-GIT
4-Skin
5-Gonads
6-Hyperurecemia
7- Contraindicated in pregnancy
11. METHOTREXATE
Interfere with DNA, RNA synthesis
Mechanism of action:
1-Inhibits dihydro- folate reductase enzyme
2-Inhibition of synthesis of
tetrahydrofolate (THF)
3-Interferes with formation
of DNA, RNA
