Chemotherapy treatment for cancer dates back to the 1940s when it was first used to treat a patient with lymphoma. Since that time, many new chemotherapy treatment options have become available. Chemotherapy works by halting the growth, replication and division of cancer cells. Chemotherapy medications are divided into classes based on how they work, and at what point in the cell's life cycle they attack.
Anti-tumor Antibiotics
Anti-tumor antibiotics work by interfering with enzymes that are responsible for DNA and RNA production. Without the ability to make DNA and RNA, the cell is unable to replicate itself for division and tumor growth. Because these medications effect the cell at any point in its life cycle, they are particularly effective. The Core Cirrucuum of Oncology Nursing lists daunorubicin, doxorubicin, epirubicin, and idarubicin, bleomycin, mitomycin C, doxorubicin liposome, and dactinomycin as commonly used anti-tumor antibiotics.
Topoisomerase inhibitors
According to the American Cancer Society these medications effect the enzyme topoisomerase, which the cancer cell needs to separate DNA strands. Without this enzyme the cell is unable to split DNA and thus unable to divide. Commonly used topoisomerase inhibitors include irinotecan, topotecan hydrochloride, and mitoxantrone.
Alkylating Agents
Chemocare.com states that these medications work during the cancer cell's resting phase before it begins its replication process. The Core Curriculum for Oncology Nursing states that these medications interfere with DNA production in three ways: they incorrectly cross DNA strands, break DNA strands, and pair DNA proteins incorrectly. All of these actions cause cell death. Alkylating agents include carboplatin, cisplatin, oxaliplatin, dacarbazine, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, chlorambucil, busulfan, altretamine, melphalan, and mechlorethamine hydrochloride.
Nitrosoureas
Nitrosoureas belong to a subgroup of alkylating agents. According to the Core Cirruculum of Oncology Nursing they work slightly differently to interfere with DNA replication, which makes cells unable to repair damage. These medications work at any time in the cell's life cycle. Nitrosoureas in use include carmustine, estramustine, streptozocin and lomustine.
Plant Alkaloids
Plant alkaloids make up a group of chemotherapy agents that work during the division cycle of the cell. These medications work by effecting enzymes that are needed for the cell to divide. Without cell division the cancer cell is unable to grow and old cells begin to die. The Core Cirruculum of Oncology Nursing lists vinblastine, vincristine, vinorelbine, paclitaxel, docetaxel, etoposide, and as commonly used plant alkaloids.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are not traditional chemotherapy medications. These steroids have multiple uses such as treating nausea and allergic reaction. The American Cancer Society states that corticosteroids are sometimes used to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. The Core Cirruculum of Nursing Oncology states that the mechanism for killing cancer cells is unknown. Commonly used corticosteroids include prednisone, hyrocortisone, methylprednisolone, and dexamethasone.
Antimetabolites
The antimetabolites attempts to kill cancer cells when they are replicating DNA and RNA for division. The American Cancer Society states that antimetabolites substitute abnormal enzymes for normal enzymes needed for cell replication. This poor substitute makes the cell unable to replicate. Common currently used antimetabolite chemotherapy agents include 5 fluorouracil, methotrexate, gemcitabine, fludarabine, pemetrexed, floxuridine, and cytarabine.
References
- Chemocare.com: Types of Chemotherapy Agents
- American Cancer Society: What are the different kinds of chemotherapy?
- "Core Cirriculum for Oncology Nursing"; Itano, J. Ph.D., Taoka, K. MSN; 2005
