Anticancer drugs characteristics

In view of the substantial current interest in drug actions at the cell membrane and the relationships between such effects and anticancer drug action, it is interesting to note that both vincristine and vinblastine produce crenellation (wrinkling) of cell membranes as a characteristic morphological effect (12). That cytotoxicity produced by treatment with vinblastine may be linked to perturbations of membrane function, suscep-... 

Many other delivery systems have been employed in attempts to improve the delivery of anticancer drugs. The major types include liposomes, microspheres, nanoparticles and immunotoxins. This review concentrates on soluble polymeric carriers. However, basic characteristics of alternate delivery systems have been included to permit the reader the comparison of different delivery systems. 

Answer A. It can help to know which anticancer drugs are cell-cycle specific and which have characteristic toxicities. Bleomycin fits both categories acting mainly in G2, it is cell cycle specific and is distinctive for causing mucocutaneous reactions and pulmonary dysfunction. Busulfan and procarbazine may also cause pulmonary toxicity, but neither drug is cell-cycle specific. 

Table VIII-l-3. Characteristics of Important Anticancer Drugs...

Characteristics Nucleotide analogues Anticancer drugs 6-mercaptopurine Cyclic nucleotides cyclic AMP, cyclic GMP HIV protease inhibitors adefovir Anticancer drugs doxorubicin, etoposide ... 

Table 8.6 Pharmacokinetic characteristics of liposomal anticancer drug formulations...

Bone marrow suppression is a characteristic toxicity of most cytotoxic anticancer drugs. What agents are now available for the treatment of anemia and neutropenia, and for platelet restoration in patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy The Skill Keeper Answer appears at the end of the chapter. 

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