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Anti Cancer Agents - Classification

Anti Cancer Agents | Medical Science Optional Notes for UPSC

Anticancer Agents

Anti Cancer Agents | Medical Science Optional Notes for UPSC

Microtubule Damaging Agents

Anti Cancer Agents | Medical Science Optional Notes for UPSC

Antibiotic Anticancer Agents

Anti Cancer Agents | Medical Science Optional Notes for UPSC

Cell Cycle Non Specific vs Cell Cycle Specific Drugs

Cytotoxic drugs exhibit either cell cycle nonspecific (CCNS) or cell cycle specific (CCS) characteristics.

(a) Cell cycle nonspecific agents have the ability to kill both resting and dividing cells. Examples include mustine, cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, carmustine, dacarbazine, busulfan, L-asparaginase, cisplatin, procarbazine, and actinomycin.

(b) Cell cycle specific drugs exclusively target actively dividing cells at different phases:

  • G1 Phase: Vinblastine
  • S Phase: Methotrexate, cytarabine, fludarabine, 6-thioguanine (6-TG), 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), hydroxyurea, mitomycin C, doxorubicin, daunorubicin.
  • G2 Phase: Daunorubicin, bleomycin, etoposide, topotecan.
  • M Phase: Vincristine, vinblastine, vinorelbine, paclitaxel, docetaxel.

Utilizing cell cycle specific drugs in brief, intermittent courses of treatment is a rational approach. This strategy enables noncycling cells, which are typically less responsive to drugs, to re-enter the cell cycle during intervals between drug courses.

Question for Anti Cancer Agents
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Which type of anticancer agents have the ability to kill both resting and dividing cells?
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The scheduling of cell cycle specific (CCS) drugs commonly follows a course of cell cycle nonspecific (CCNS) drug(s) to enhance the overall cell elimination. CCS drugs demonstrate greater efficacy in hematological malignancies and solid tumors with a substantial growth fraction, whereas CCNS drugs exhibit effectiveness not only in these scenarios but also in solid cancers characterized by a limited growth fraction.

Anti Cancer Agents - Repeats

  1. Provide information on the indications, contraindications, and side effects of Vincristine (1996).
  2. Elaborate on the therapeutic uses and clinical toxicity of vincristine (1997).
  3. Discuss the indications, dosages, side effects, and contraindications of Mitomycin C, Vincristine, and Bleomycin (2002).
  4. Detail the mechanism of action and adverse effects of 'M-phase' specific anti-cancer drugs (2009).
The document Anti Cancer Agents | Medical Science Optional Notes for UPSC is a part of the UPSC Course Medical Science Optional Notes for UPSC.
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FAQs on Anti Cancer Agents - Medical Science Optional Notes for UPSC

1. What are the different classifications of anti-cancer agents?
Ans. Anti-cancer agents can be classified into various categories including microtubule damaging agents, antibiotic anticancer agents, cell cycle non-specific drugs, and cell cycle-specific drugs.
2. What are microtubule damaging agents?
Ans. Microtubule damaging agents are a type of anti-cancer agents that disrupt the formation and function of microtubules in cells. Examples include taxanes and vinca alkaloids.
3. What are antibiotic anticancer agents?
Ans. Antibiotic anticancer agents are a class of drugs that exhibit anti-cancer properties. These drugs are derived from various microorganisms and have been found to have cytotoxic effects on cancer cells. Examples include anthracyclines and bleomycin.
4. What is the difference between cell cycle non-specific and cell cycle-specific drugs?
Ans. Cell cycle non-specific drugs can act on cancer cells at any phase of the cell cycle, whereas cell cycle-specific drugs target cancer cells at specific phases of the cell cycle. Cell cycle non-specific drugs have a broader spectrum of activity, while cell cycle-specific drugs may be more effective in targeting rapidly dividing cells.
5. Can you provide examples of cell cycle non-specific and cell cycle-specific drugs?
Ans. Examples of cell cycle non-specific drugs include alkylating agents (e.g., cisplatin) and anthracyclines (e.g., doxorubicin). Examples of cell cycle-specific drugs include antimetabolites (e.g., methotrexate) and mitotic inhibitors (e.g., paclitaxel).
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