Conventional chemotherapeutic agents
M Phase of Cell cycle
mitotic splindles pull DNA apart
G0 phase
resting
G1/G2 phase
restriction point (checkpoint)
S phase
macromolecules synth for cell division; DNA precursors
tumor cell growth fraction
micrometastases
normal cells susceptible to toxic side effects
bischloroethyl amines
class of anti-tumor alkylating agents; chloroethyl groups are electrophilic and interact with nucleotides
mechlorethamine (nitrogen mustard)
*prototype of alkylating agents; bischloroethyl amine highly reactive DNA alkylating agent (IV-reacts with H20), can cause necrosis
cyclophosphamide
less reactive (po) bischloroethyl amine; DNA alkylating activity after activation in liver or tumor tissues (prodrug)
nitrosoureas
class of alkylating agents; little cross-resistance with other alkylating agents; cross BBB (useful for brain cancers)
procarbazine
metabolized to alkylating and free radical intermediates; effective against Hodgkin’s in MOPP regimen; little cross-resistance with antineoplastic agents; leukemogenic (5-10% risk with MOPP); mutagen
MOPP
chemo regimen for Hodgkin’s : mechlorethamine, vincristine (Oncovin), procarbazine, prednisone
methotrexate
folic acid analog
DHFR inhibitor: blocks synthesis of DNA/RNA/PRO precursors; stops dihydrofolate from becoming tetrahydrofolate–which inhibits thymiylate synthetase; accumulates in cells as a polyglutamate derivative; S phase specific
resistance to methotrexate
cells: -amplify DHFR gene
- mutate DHFR gene
- decreased uptake
- increased efflux (MRP 2/4)
- leucovorin “rescue:” source of tetrahydrofolate, bypasses block of DHFR, sometimse used in intervals of recovery
6-mercaptopurine
How do cells develop resistance to purine antagonists
-activated by conversion to NMPs/NTPs via HGPRT; cells down-regulate HGPRT enzyme
6-thioguanine
fluorouracil (5-FU)
capecitabine
-oral prodrug of fluorouracil
-contains hydrophobic chain, helps enter cells. MUST BE CONVERTED to 5FU via thymidine phosphorylase
-may be preferentially activated in tumor tissues
Use: colon ca, refractory breast ca
cytarabine
resistance to cytarabine
mutational loss of deoxycytidine kinase
daunorubicin/doxorubicin
-antitumor antibiotics:anthracyclines
-3 member ring
-widely used with broad spectrum
-DNA intercalation, interferes with DNA topoisomerase II binding, DNA scission
dose limiting: irreversible cardiac toxicity at high doses