2. Chemotherapy agents
These are the drugs which are used in treatment of cancer
Types
– Alkylating agents
– Antitumor antibiotics
– Antimetabolites
– Mitotic inhibitors
– Topoisomerase inhibitors
– Enzymes
– Protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors
– Miscellaneous agents
4. Alkylating agents
Examples
• Busulfan
• Carboplatin
• Cisplatin
• Oxaliplatin
• Cyclophosphomide
• Ifosfamide
Adverse effects
• Myelosupression
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Nephrotoxicity
• Ototoxicity
• Alopecia
Mode of action
These are phase non specific
agents
These acts by cross linking and
abnormal base pairing of DNA
strands which inhibit replication of
DNA and inhibits cancer cell
production (Alkylation)
Indications
• Leukaemia
• Lymphoma
• Hodgkins disease
• Multiple myeloma
• Sarcoma
5. Antitumor antibiotics
Examples
• Bleomycin
• Doxorubicin
• Epirubicin
Adverse effects
• Myelosupression
• Cardiotoxicity
• Stomatitis
• Alopecia
• Nausea and Vomiting
Mode of action
These are phase non specific
agents
These acts by sliding between
DNA base pairs and inhibit
synthesis of DNA and inhibits
cancer cell production
(Intercalation)
Indications
• Cancer of bladder, breast and
bone
• Other cancers
6. Antimetabolites
Examples
• Cytarabine
• Fluorouracil
• Methotrexate
• Mercaptopurine
• Gemcitabine
Adverse effects
• Myelosupression
• Hepatotoxicity
• Nephrotoxicity
• Stomatitis
• Mucositis
Mode of action
These are S phase specific agents
These acts by acting as false
substitutions in the production of
nucleic acids
Indications
• Leukaemia
• Cancer of GIT, breast and ovary
7. Antitumor antibiotics
Examples
• Bleomycin
• Doxorubicin
• Epirubicin
Adverse effects
• Myelosupression
• Cardiotoxicity
• Stomatitis
• Alopecia
• Nausea and Vomiting
Mode of action
These are phase non specific
agents
These acts by sliding between
DNA base pairs and inhibit
synthesis of DNA and inhibits
cancer cell production
(Intercalation)
Indications
• Cancer of bladder, breast and
bone
• Other cancers
8. Mitotic inhibitors
Examples
• Paclitaxel
• Vincristine
Adverse effects
• Myelosupression
• Fluid retention
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Alopecia
• Mucositis
Mode of action
These are M phase specific agents
These acts by arresting cell division
by preventing microtubules
Indications
• Myeloma
• Lymphoma
• Leukaemia
• Cancer of lung and breast
9. Topoisomerase inhibitors
Examples
• Etopside
Adverse effects
• Myelosupression
• Hypotension
• Alopecia
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
Mode of action
These are G2 phase specific
agents
These acts by inhibiting
Topoisomerase enzyme which is
involved in DNA replication and
RNA transcription
Indications
• Leukaemia
• Cancer of GIT, breast and ovary
10. Examples
• Aspariginase
Adverse effects
• Allergic reactions
• Nausea and vomiting
• Liver dysfunction
• CNS depression
• Hyperglycaemia
Mode of action
These are G1 phase specific
agents
It acts by breaking asparigine there
by no proteins are available for
cancer cell production
Indications
• Leukaemia
• Non Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Enzymes
11. Examples
• Imatinib
• Nilotinib
Adverse effects
• Myelosupression
• Hepatotoxicity
• Fluid retention
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
Mode of action
These are target agents
These acts by causing apoptosis
and arrest the cancer cell growth
Indications
• Liver carcinoma
• Renal carcinoma
• Prostatic cancer
• Leukaemia
• Lymphoma
Protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors