Chemotherapeutic agents
Chemotherapeutic Agents
Chemotherapeutic agents (pronunciation: kee-moh-thair-uh-pyoo-tik ay-jents) are a group of drugs used in the treatment of cancer. They work by targeting and killing rapidly dividing cells, a characteristic common to cancer cells.
Etymology
The term "chemotherapeutic agents" is derived from the Greek words "chemia" meaning "chemistry" and "therapeia" meaning "treatment". It refers to the use of chemicals for therapeutic purposes.
Types of Chemotherapeutic Agents
Chemotherapeutic agents can be classified into several types based on their mechanism of action. These include:
- Alkylating Agents: These agents work by damaging the DNA of cells, preventing them from dividing and growing.
- Antimetabolites: These agents mimic the building blocks of DNA, tricking the cell into incorporating these false building blocks into its DNA, which leads to cell death.
- Antitumor Antibiotics: These agents interfere with the DNA and RNA, which prevents the cells from growing and dividing.
- Topoisomerase Inhibitors: These agents interfere with the enzymes topoisomerase I and II, which are needed for DNA replication.
- Mitotic Inhibitors: These agents prevent cells from undergoing mitosis (cell division), leading to cell death.
Side Effects
Like all medications, chemotherapeutic agents can cause side effects. These can vary widely depending on the specific agent used, the dosage, and the individual patient's health. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and fatigue. More serious side effects can include anemia, infection, and neutropenia.
Related Terms
- Oncology: The branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.
- Cytotoxic: Toxic to cells.
- Neoplasm: An abnormal growth of tissue, also known as a tumor.
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