Chemotherapy, often called chemo, is a method of destroying cancer cells via medication. It has been used since the 1950s. Several different drugs are currently available and used to treat different forms of cancer. Doctors usually administer the medication intravenously, though some patients take chemo drugs orally at home.
Alkylating Agents
Preventing reproduction of , alkylating agents include nitrogen mustards, nitrosoureas, alkyl sulfonates, triazines and ethylenimines. Used for chronic leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin disease, multiple myeloma, sarcoma and other lung, breast and ovary cancers, this drug works in all of the cell cycle phases. Damage to the bone marrow can result from use as this medication damages DNA. Higher doses of alkylating agents posses elevated risks of developing acute leukemia.
Anthracyclines
Working in all phases of the cell cycle, anthracylines attempt to prohibit replication of DNA enzymes. High doses can result in permanent heart damage, which is why lifetime dose limits are in place for this medication. Daunorubicin, doxorubicin, epirubicin and idarubicin are examples of these anti-tumor antibiotics. Similar to doxorubicin, mitoxantrone is another anti-tumor antibiotic used to treat lymphoma, leukemia and cancers of the breast and prostate.
Topoisomerase Inhibitors
Enzymes called topoisomerases help separate DNA strands, enabling their duplication. Topoisomerase inhibitors such as topotecan, irinotecan, etoposide and teniposide interfere with those enzymes. Treating ovarian, lung and gastrointestinal cancers as well as specific leukemias, topoisomerase inhibitors are successful chemotherapy medications.
Antimetabolites
Hindering the growth and division of DNA and RNA, antimetabolites are cell specific chemotherapy drugs. Commonly used to treat breast, ovary and intestinal tract tumors, these drugs damage cells during the S phase. Capecitabine, 6-mercaptopurine, methotrexate, gemcitabine, cytarabine, fludarabine, 5-fluorouracil and pemetrexed are all antimetabolites.
Mitotic Inhibitors
Mitotic inhibitors include paclitaxel, docetaxel, ixabepilone, vinblastine, vincristine and vinorelbine. These drugs prohibit the creation of proteins necessary for cell reproduction and are used to treat breast and lung cancers, myelomas, lymphomas and leukemias. Risk of peripheral nerve damage may require limits placed on dosage. Mitotic inhibitors originate from natural sources, often plant alkaloids.
Corticosteroids
Effective in treating lymphoma, leukemias and multiple myeloma, steroids kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. When used for that purpose corticosteroids are rendered as a method of chemotherapy, not so when used to prevent allergic reactions and vomiting prior to chemo. Corticosteroid medications include prednisone, methylprednisolone and dexamethasone.
Side Effects
Common side effects associated with chemotherapy include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and loss of appetite. Hair loss, fatigue, pain, fever and mouth sores frequently occur as well. Late side effects are also possible depending on the chemo medication taken. Heart and kidney problems, infertility, lung and nerve damage and risk of a second cancer are some late known to transpire.
Tags: used treat, cancer cells, side effects, breast ovary, cell cycle, Mitotic inhibitors