Chemotherapy involves the treatment of cancer using medications. Chemotherapy drugs can also be called "anti-neoplastics" or "anti-cancer" drugs. There are over one hundred medications that are used to treat cancer, and can also include hormone therapy, biologic therapy and targeted therapies. There are various classes of drugs used to treat cancer, and not all drugs fit into a specific category.
Alkylating Agents
Some chemotherapy drugs are classified as alkylating agents, and they damage DNA of cancer cells to stop them from reproducing. These kinds of drugs are used to treat various cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and breast, lung, and ovarian cancers, according to the American Cancer Society. There is a small risk of developing leukemia as a late effect from these drugs, and the risk increases with increased dosages. If you are concerned about this risk, talk with your doctor before starting treatment. There are many different kinds of alkylating agents, including nitrogen mustard, cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), busulfan, thiotepa and temozolomide (Temodar). The platinum drugs (cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxalaplatin) are also grouped with the alkylating drugs at times.
Antimetabolites
Antimetabolite chemotherapy drugs are typically used in the treatment of leukemia, breast and ovarian cancers, and cancers of the intestinal tract. These drugs interfere with both RNA and DNA of the cancer cells. Examples of antimetabolites include 5-fluorouracil, capecitabine (Xeloda), gemcitabine (Gemzar) and cytarabine (Ara-C).
Anti-tumor Antibiotics
Anthracyclines are anti-tumor antibiotics that damage DNA replication. They are prescribed in the treatment of many cancers, but also carry the risk of permanently damaging the heart; there is a lifetime maximum dose a person can get. Daunorubicin, doxorubicin (Adriamycin), epirubicin and idarubicin are all drugs that are anthracyclines. Anti-tumor antibiotics that are not anthracyclines include actinomycin-D, bleomycin and mitomycin-C.
Topoisomerase Inhibitors
Topoisomerases aid in separating DNA so replication can occur, and these drugs interfere with these enzymes. These drugs treat leukemia, lung, ovarian and other cancers. Some of these chemotherapy drugs are etoposide, topotecan and irinotecan.
Plant Alkaloids
These chemotherapy drugs are made from various kinds of plants, and are used in many kinds of cancers. Vinca alkaloids and taxanes are considered plant alkaloids. Drugs in this category are vincristine, vinblastine, paclitaxel, docetaxel, etoposide and irinotecan.
