Question

Chemotherapy agents Classify the following descriptions to explain the mode of action of various chemotherapy agents. Some answer choices will be used more than once. Prevent cell division, either directly or indirectly Integrate into DNA causing it to break Integrate into DNA preventing DNA replication Can have long-term negative impacts Can also be called antibiotics and interfere with enzymes involved in DNA replication or transcription Target cells during the s phase Prevent spindle formation during mitosis Disable the topolsomerase enzyme preventing DNA replication Alkylating Agents Antimetabolites Topoisomerase Inhibitors Alkaloids and Taxanes

Answer 1

1. Alkylating agents: Alkylating agent is a chemical that attaches an alkyl group to DNA or proteins. Alkylating agents can attack DNA at any point in the cell cycle. Alkylation of DNA impairs replication and can break DNA strands.

a. Prevent cell division directly or indirectly.

b. Integrate into the DNA causing it to break.

c. Integrate into DNA, and preventing replication.
d. Can have long term negative impacts.

2. Antimetabolites: Antimetabolites are analogs of the natural metabolites participating in various biochemical reactions.

a. Can also be called antibiotics and interfere with enzymes involved in DNA replication or transcription.

b. Targets cell during the S-phase.
c. Integrate into DNA, and preventing replication.

d. Prevent cell division directly or indirectly.

3. Topoisomerase inhibitors: Topoisomerase helps in DNA replication by catalysing breaking and joining of the DNA phosphodiester bonds during DNA replication. Topoisomerase inhibition would interfere with the process of DNA replication and transcription.

a. Integrate into the DNA causing it to break.
b. Targets cell during the S-phase.
c. Disable the Topoisomerase enzyme, preventing DNA replication.
d. Prevent cell division directly or indirectly.

4. Alkaloids and Taxanes: These are also known as anti microtubules agents. Vinca alkaloids prevents beta tubular polymerisation in a dividing cell. Taxanes prevents cell division by stabilisation of cellular microtubules, thereby, inhibiting cell division.
a. Prevent spindle formation during mitosis.
b. Prevent cell division directly or indirectly.