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38. Antineoplastic drugs: Cytotoxic drugs: Difference between revisions

38. Antineoplastic drugs: Cytotoxic drugs (view source)

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Cytotoxic drugs inhibit division of tumor cells and induce their apoptosis, usually by damaging DNA or interfering with mitosis. They’re more effective against rapidly dividing tumor cells.
Cytotoxic drugs inhibit division of tumor cells and induce their apoptosis, usually by damaging DNA or interfering with mitosis. They’re more effective against rapidly dividing tumor cells.


Alkylating agents like cyclophosphamide alkylates and damages DNA. Antimetabolites like methotrexate are structurally similar to important metabolites and can be incorporated into DNA or damage DNA in other ways. Cytotoxic antibiotics like doxorubicin inhibit topoisomerase II and damages DNA by this and other mechanisms. Cytotoxic plant derivatives like vincristine impair the formation of the mitotic spindle.
Alkylating agents like cyclophosphamide alkylates DNA, which damages it. Antimetabolites like methotrexate are structurally similar to important metabolites and can be incorporated into DNA or damage DNA in other ways. Cytotoxic antibiotics like doxorubicin inhibit topoisomerase II and damages DNA by this and other mechanisms. Cytotoxic plant derivatives like vincristine impair the formation of the mitotic spindle.


Antineoplastic agents can be divided into two subtypes:
Antineoplastic agents can be divided into two subtypes: