Antineoplastic Agents Mechanisms of Action
Kill cells by apoptosis and necrosis
Normal cells affected by antineoplastic agents
Kills normal cells with a high grade fraction
Cell Cycle Specific Agents
Depend on the duration of exposure
G1: steroid hormones, asparaginase
S: antimetabolites like methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, 6-mercaptopurine
Often feature myelosuppression
G2: bleomycin, etopside
M: vinca alkoids like vincristine, taxanes like paclitaxel
Cell Cycle Non-specific Agents
Cumulative dose is important
Cell Cycle Specific Agents: Glucocorticoid
Cell Cycle Specific Agents: Gonadal Hormones
Cell Cycle Specific Agents: Gonadal Hormone Antagonists
Cell Cycle Specific Agents: Gonadotropin Releasing Analogs
Cell Cycle a Specific Agents: Aromatase Inhibitors
Cell Cycle specific Agents: L-asparaginase
Cell Cycle Specific Agents: Methotrexate
Note: folinic acid is routinely given to decrease toxicity, glucarpidase (enzymatically inactivates methotrexate) given to patients with overdose of MTX secondary to decreased MTX clearance from renal insufficiency
Cell Cycle Specific Agents: 6-Mercaptopurine
Note: resistant cells may lack HGPRT, other purine analogs like thioguanine, adenosine, pentostatin, and azathioprine
Cell Cycle Specific Agents: Cytarabine
Note: resistant cells may lack such kinases
Cell Cycle Specific Agents: 5-Fluorouracil
Cell Cycle Specific Agents: bleomycin
Cell Cycle Specific Agents: Etoposid
Cell Cycle Specific Agents: Vincristine and Vinblastine
Cell Cycle Specific Agents: Paclitaxel
Cell Cycle Non-Specific Agents: cisplatin
Cell Cycle Non-Specific Agents: cyclophosphamide
Prototype: cyclophosphamide
Cell Cycle Non-Specific Agents: Carmustine
Cell Cycle Non-Specific Agents: procarbazine
Cell Cycle Non-Specific Agents: doxorubicin
Cell Cycle Non-Specific Agents: Daunorubicin