The ovaries are female reproductive organs that respond to hormonal changes in the body to develop and change during puberty, over the course of the menstrual cycle, and during menopause. Ovarian cancer develops when cells within the ovary acquire genetic mutations that cause dysregulation of cell growth within the ovary, eventually leading to the development of a tumor. A number of drugs have been developed to kill ovarian cancer cells.
Doxorubicin
Doxorubicin, sold under the brand name Adriamycin, is a chemotherapy agent which is classified as an anthracycline antibiotic. It affects the DNA to prevent cell division to slow or stop the growth of a tumor. Specifically, doxorubicin is similar in structure to the components of DNA, and gets incorporated into strands of DNA during cell division, damaging the DNA. The severely damaged DNA prevents the cancer cells from making the proteins they need to divide, stopping tumor growth and eventually killing the cell.
Doxorubicin is used to treat advanced ovarian cancer, and can also be used to treat other forms of cancer including breast and bone cancer, and some forms of leukemia. Florida State University reports that common side effects of doxorubicin are hair loss, skin hyperpigmentation, sores in the mouth and the possibility of heart damage.
Paclitaxel
Paclitaxel is a chemotherapy drug used to treat advanced ovarian cancer by working to prevent cell division, or mitosis. During mitosis, the proteins that make up the structural support for the cell must re-organize to accommodate the splitting of one cell into two. The protein structures push the cell apart so it can split into two down the middle. Paclitaxel prevents the action of specific structural proteins, called microtubules, to prevent cell division.
Paclitaxel affects normal cells along with cancer cells, which can lead to side effects. Macmillan Cancer Support reports that use of paclitaxel lowers white blood cell count, leaving the patient vulnerable to infection. Paclitaxel also causes sores in the mouth, fatigue and low red blood cell count.
Cisplatin
Cisplatin, sold under the brand name Platinol, is used to treat advanced ovarian cancer. It is a type of chemotherapy drug which is classified as a DNA-damaging agent. Cisplatin works by adding molecules onto DNA and forming cross-linking bonds between parts of DNA, which damage DNA functioning. Without proper DNA function, the cancer cell cannot make the proteins it needs to grow and survive, so the cell stops dividing and dies. Unlike many other drugs, which target cancer cells in specific phases of growth, cisplatin affects cancer cells in any growth phase.
Like other chemotherapy agents, cisplatin has a number of side effects, since it affects normal cells along with cancerous cells. The University of Pennsylvania reports that common side effects include lower white and red blood cell counts, as well as decreased platelet numbers within the blood. Other side effects may include fatigue, nausea and kidney changes.
