Anti-Cancer Drugs
Anti-Cancer Drugs
Anti-cancer drugs (pronunciation: /æntiːˈkænsər drʌgz/), also known as Antineoplastic agents or Chemotherapy drugs, are a group of pharmaceuticals specifically designed to interfere with the rapid cell division of cancer cells, thereby inhibiting their growth and proliferation.
Etymology
The term "anti-cancer" is derived from the Greek words "anti" meaning against, and "karkinos" meaning crab, which was used to describe cancer because of the crab-like spread of the disease in the body. The term "drug" comes from the Old French "drogue", possibly derived from the Dutch word "droog" (meaning "dry"), as herbs, powders, and other medicinal substances were often dried for use.
Types of Anti-Cancer Drugs
There are several types of anti-cancer drugs, each with a unique mechanism of action and specific target cells. These include:
- Alkylating Agents: These drugs work by damaging the DNA of cells, which prevents them from reproducing. Examples include Cyclophosphamide and Cisplatin.
- Antimetabolites: These drugs mimic nutrients that the cells need to grow, but when the cells take them in, they cannot divide. Examples include Methotrexate and 5-Fluorouracil.
- Antitumor Antibiotics: These drugs interfere with the enzymes involved in DNA replication. Examples include Doxorubicin and Bleomycin.
- Topoisomerase Inhibitors: These drugs interfere with the enzymes topoisomerase I and II, which help separate the strands of DNA so they can be copied. Examples include Irinotecan and Etoposide.
- Mitotic Inhibitors: These drugs prevent cells from dividing to form new cells. Examples include Paclitaxel and Vincristine.
Related Terms
- Oncology: The branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.
- Radiation Therapy: The use of high-energy radiation to kill or shrink cancer cells.
- Immunotherapy: The use of the body's immune system to fight cancer.
- Targeted Therapy: A type of treatment that uses drugs or other substances to identify and attack specific types of cancer cells.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Anti-Cancer Drugs
- Wikipedia's article - Anti-Cancer Drugs
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