Chemotherapy inhibits the process of cell division so specific cancers can be targeted and destroyed. Healthy cells, however, may also be damaged in the process and cause side effects. Advanced chemotherapy treatments have limited many of those side effects. The types of chemo chosen for treatment depends on the aggressive nature of the cancer and each person’s condition.
Alkylating Agents
Alkylating agents prevent cancer cells from reproducing by directly damaging the cells' DNA, the major component of genetic material, according to the American Cancer Society. Damage occurs because the process affects all phases of the cell cycle. The treatment may cause long-term damage to bone marrow and increase the risk of acute leukemia in rare cases. Alkylating agents treat acute and chronic leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, lymphoma, sarcoma, multiple myeloma, lung cancer, breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
Antimetabolites
These drugs substitute the normal building blocks of DNA and RNA—which manufactures proteins—and damage cells in the process. The treatment is used on a variety of cancers, including leukemias, breast and ovarian tumors, and cancers in the intestinal tract.
Antitumor Antibiotics
The patient’s own immune system is used to interfere with cell production through antitumor antibiotics. The agents block certain enzyme and cancer cell changes, the Mayo Clinic says. The antibiotics treat prostate cancer, breast cancer, lymphoma and leukemia. They may damage the heart when applied in high doses.
Mitotic Inhibitors
Cancer cell division is slowed and enzymes necessary for cell reproduction are hindered with mitotic inhibitors. The process can damage cell production in all phases. The drugs increase the risk of peripheral nerve damage. Mitotic inhibitors treat lung cancer, breast caner, myelomas, lymphomas and leukemias.
Topoisomerase Inhibitors
These inhibitors interfere with topoisomerases, enzymes that separate strands of DNA so they can be copied. The drugs target certain leukemias, lung cancer, ovarian cancer and gastrointestinal cancer. Treatment with some inhibitors may increase the risk of acute myelogenous leukemia.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are among the hormone-like drugs that treat lymphoma, leukemia and multiple myeloma. The drugs kill or slow the growth of cancer cells, the American Cancer Society says. Corticosteroids can also prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.
Immunotherapy
Treatment for many cancers includes immunotherapy that enhances the recognition of cancer cells for the body’s immune system. The cells are then easier to kill. Cellular therapy uses cells in the immune system to selectively kill cancer cells. In some cancer treatments, specially engineered antibodies can target cancer for the immune system to destroy.
