Antineoplastics
Antineoplastics
Antineoplastics (pronunciation: an-ti-ne-o-plas-tics) are a category of drugs used primarily in the treatment of cancer. The term is derived from the Greek words 'anti' meaning against, and 'neoplasia' meaning new growth.
Etymology
The term 'antineoplastic' is derived from the Greek words 'anti' meaning against, and 'neoplasia' meaning new growth. It refers to the property of these drugs to inhibit or prevent the growth and proliferation of neoplastic cells, or cancer cells.
Types of Antineoplastics
Antineoplastics can be classified into several types, including alkylating agents, antimetabolites, antitumor antibiotics, topoisomerase inhibitors, and mitotic inhibitors. Each of these types works in a different way to stop cancer cells from growing and dividing.
Alkylating Agents
Alkylating agents are a type of antineoplastic that works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells to prevent them from reproducing.
Antimetabolites
Antimetabolites are antineoplastics that mimic the building blocks of DNA to prevent cancer cells from growing.
Antitumor Antibiotics
Antitumor antibiotics are a type of antineoplastic that interferes with the DNA and RNA of cancer cells, which prevents them from growing and dividing.
Topoisomerase Inhibitors
Topoisomerase inhibitors are antineoplastics that interfere with the action of topoisomerase enzymes, which are needed for DNA replication.
Mitotic Inhibitors
Mitotic inhibitors are a type of antineoplastic that prevents cancer cells from undergoing mitosis, or cell division.
Side Effects
Like all medications, antineoplastics can cause side effects. These can include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and fatigue. More serious side effects can include anemia, infection, and bleeding.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Antineoplastics
- Wikipedia's article - Antineoplastics
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