Cancer drugs

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

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Cancer drugs, also known as antineoplastic drugs, are used in the treatment of malignancies, or cancerous growths. These drugs can be classified into several categories based on their mechanism of action, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and hormonal therapy. They are a key component of cancer treatment, often used in combination with surgery, radiation therapy, and other treatments to improve patient outcomes.

Chemotherapy[edit | edit source]

Chemotherapy involves the use of cytotoxic drugs that kill or inhibit the growth of cancer cells by interfering with their division and replication. These drugs can affect both cancerous and healthy cells, leading to a range of side effects.

  • Alkylating agents - Work by damaging DNA, preventing cancer cells from reproducing. Examples include cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide.
  • Antimetabolites - Mimic the building blocks of DNA, interfering with the cell's ability to repair and replicate DNA. Examples include methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil.

Targeted Therapy[edit | edit source]

Targeted therapy focuses on specific molecules and signaling pathways that are crucial for cancer cell growth and survival, offering the potential for more effective and less harmful treatments.

  • Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) - Block the action of enzymes called tyrosine kinases, which are involved in many cell functions including cell signaling, growth, and division. Examples include imatinib and gefitinib.
  • Monoclonal antibodies - Designed to target and bind to specific proteins on the surface of cancer cells, marking them for destruction by the immune system. Examples include trastuzumab and rituximab.

Immunotherapy[edit | edit source]

Immunotherapy enhances the body's natural defenses to fight cancer. It includes treatments that work in different ways, such as stimulating the immune system to attack cancer cells more effectively.

  • Checkpoint inhibitors - Target proteins that help cancer cells avoid immune system attack. Examples include pembrolizumab and nivolumab.
  • Cancer vaccines - Stimulate the immune system to attack cancer cells. Examples include sipuleucel-T.

Hormonal Therapy[edit | edit source]

Hormonal therapy is used to treat cancers that are sensitive to hormones, such as breast and prostate cancer. It works by blocking the body's natural hormones or by altering their effects on cancer cells.

Glossary[edit | edit source]

  • Antineoplastic drugs - Medications used to treat cancer by inhibiting the growth of malignant cells.
  • Cytotoxic - Referring to substances that are toxic to cells, preventing their replication or growth.
  • DNA - Deoxyribonucleic acid, a molecule that carries the genetic instructions used in the growth, development, functioning, and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses.
  • Tyrosine kinases - Enzymes that catalyze the transfer of a phosphate group from ATP to a protein in a cell, playing a significant role in cell signaling.
  • Monoclonal antibodies - Antibodies that are made by identical immune cells, clones of a unique parent cell, targeted against a specific antigen.
  • Checkpoint inhibitors - A form of immunotherapy that blocks proteins that stop the immune system from attacking cancer cells.
  • Cancer vaccines - Vaccines that either treat existing cancer or prevent development of cancer.
  • Estrogen - A hormone playing a key role in the reproductive system of female mammals.
  • Androgens - Steroid hormones that regulate the development and maintenance of male characteristics.

List of cancer drugs[edit | edit source]


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External links[edit source]

Cancer Terms A - Z[edit source]

Cancer encompasses a broad spectrum of diseases with varied manifestations, terminologies, and implications for treatment. The terminology associated with oncology is extensive, reflecting the complexity and specificity of the field. Below is a curated list of terms that are pivotal to the understanding of cancer. This compilation is by no means comprehensive, as the lexicon of cancer terms is vast, encompassing thousands of specialized items. To explore specific cancer-related terms, please select from the alphabetized list below.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | #

Alphabetic list of antineoplastic agents - 0-9 - A1 - A2 - A3 - A4 - A5 -A6 - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - JK - L - M - NO - PQ - R - S - T - UVW - XYZ


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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD