3.3.13.5 Action of Anti-Cancer Drugs

• What is cancer characterized by?

  Uncontrolled cell growth
• Match the cell cycle process with the drug class and its mechanism of action:

  DNA Replication ↔️ Antimetabolites: Interfere with DNA synthesis

  Mitosis ↔️ Taxanes: Stabilize microtubules
• Taxanes stabilize microtubules, disrupting chromosome separation during mitosis.


  True
• Cancer cells divide and multiply rapidly without the normal regulatory mechanisms.
• Steps in the action of taxanes during mitosis:

  1️⃣ Stabilize microtubules

  2️⃣ Disrupt chromosome separation
• Anti-cancer drugs prevent cancer cells from dividing and spreading by disrupting key functions.


  True
• Arrange the following steps to describe the action of topoisomerase inhibitors:

  1️⃣ Block the activity of topoisomerases

  2️⃣ Interfere with DNA coiling and uncoiling

  3️⃣ Prevent DNA replication
• Cancer cells develop into mature, specialized cell types.

  False
• Alkylating agents prevent cancer cells from replicating their genetic material
• Alkylating agents induce apoptosis or stop cell growth
• Topoisomerase inhibitors target enzymes involved in DNA coiling and uncoiling.


  True
• Order the mechanisms by which cancer cells develop drug resistance:

  1️⃣ Increased drug efflux

  2️⃣ Altered drug targets

  3️⃣ Activation of alternative pathways
• Targeted therapies in anti-cancer drug development focus on specific molecular targets
• Cancer cells can invade surrounding tissues and spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system
• What happens to cell division in cancer cells?

  Becomes uncontrolled
• What are the major categories of anti-cancer drugs?

  Alkylating agents, antimetabolites, topoisomerase inhibitors
• Invasion and metastasis refer to the ability of cancer cells to spread to other parts of the body.

  True
• Topoisomerase inhibitors block the activity of enzymes involved in DNA coiling and uncoiling.
• Antimetabolites interfere with DNA synthesis by mimicking essential nucleotides
• Antimetabolites disrupt nucleic acid production by substituting for essential building blocks
• Which drug class targets DNA replication and what is its mechanism of action?

  Antimetabolites, mimic nucleotides
• Alkylating agents attach alkyl groups only to guanine bases in DNA.

  False
• Match the antimetabolite with its primary mechanism of action:

  Methotrexate ↔️ Mimic natural metabolites

  5-Fluorouracil ↔️ Interfere with DNA synthesis

  Gemcitabine ↔️ Disrupt RNA production

  Azathioprine ↔️ Inhibit nucleic acid production
• Doxorubicin is an example of a topoisomerase II inhibitor
• Drug efflux in cancer cells reduces the intracellular concentration of anti-cancer drugs.


  True
• Match the future directions in anti-cancer drug development with their goals:

  Personalized medicine ↔️ Tailor treatments to individual genetics

  Combination therapies ↔️ Target multiple pathways

  Novel delivery methods ↔️ Improve drug efficacy
• Anti-cancer drugs target specific cell cycle processes such as DNA replication and mitosis.


  True
• Antimetabolites interfere with DNA synthesis by mimicking essential nucleotides
• Match the drug category with its mechanism of action:

  Alkylating Agents ↔️ Add alkyl groups to DNA

  Antimetabolites ↔️ Interfere with DNA synthesis

  Topoisomerase Inhibitors ↔️ Block topoisomerase activity
• What do antimetabolites mimic to interfere with DNA synthesis?

  Essential nucleotides
• Which two key cell cycle processes are targeted by anti-cancer drugs?

  DNA replication and mitosis
• What is the mechanism of action for alkylating agents in anti-cancer therapy?

  Add alkyl groups to DNA
• What are the three key characteristics of cancer cells?

  Uncontrolled division, invasion, lack of differentiation
• What is the primary mechanism of action for alkylating agents?

  Add alkyl groups to DNA
• What structural change in DNA is caused by alkylating agents?

  Breakage of DNA strands
• How do antimetabolites halt cancer cell growth?

  Inhibit DNA and RNA synthesis
• What is the result of disrupting DNA coiling and uncoiling by topoisomerase inhibitors?

  DNA damage and cell death
• What strategy is used to overcome drug resistance in cancer cells?

  Combination therapies
• What type of anti-cancer strategy harnesses the body's immune system?

  Immunotherapies