OVERVIEW
This page is dedicated to compiling Step 1 study notes for the topic of cancer drugs mechanisms of action. This page is likely disorganized as it was made in haste.
ANTIMETABOLITES:
Purine analogs:
- Azathioprine: decreases de novo purine synthesis
- 6-mercaptopurine: decreases de novo purine synthesis
- Cladribine: inhibits DNA polymerase, DNA strand breaks
Pyrimidine analogs:
- Cytarabine (arabinofuranosyl cytidine): inhibition of DNA polymerase
- 5- fluorouracil: inhbiits thymidylate synthase which causes decreases in dTMP production and decreased DNA synthesis.
Folic acid analog:
- Methotrexate: folic acid analog that inhibits dihydrofolate reductase. Decreases dTMP and by proxy DNA synthesis.
ALKYLATING AGENTS:
All of these medications cross link DNA in various ways:
- Busulfan
- Cyclophspamide
- Ifosfamide
ANTITUMOR ANTIBIOTICS:
Bleomycin: Induces free radical formation (breaks in DNA strands).
Dactinomycin (actinomycin D): intercalates in DNA
Doxorubicin, daunorubicin: Generates free radicals and intercalates in DNA (breaks in DNA = decreased replication)
NOTES
Cross linkers of DNA:
- Cisplatin
- Carboplatin
Microtubule inhibitors:
- Paclitaxel
- Vinblastine
- Vincristine
Page Updated: 04.15.2017