Drugs/Meds 📝

Mechanism: Add alkyl groups to DNA bases, causing crosslinks → DNA can’t unwind → replication stops → cell death. Clinical: Broadly used in leukemia, lymphoma, solid tumors. They’re non-cell-cycle specific, meaning they can kill cells in any phase.

Mechanism: Mimic normal nucleotides → interfere with DNA/RNA synthesis. Clinical: Often S-phase specific; used in leukemia, GI cancers, breast cancer.

Mechanism: Inhibit topoisomerase enzymes → DNA can’t unwind or reseal → breaks accumulate → apoptosis.

Mechanism: Block microtubule polymerization or depolymerization → mitosis is halted. Clinical: Often M-phase specific; used in breast, ovarian, leukemia, lymphoma.

a drug that blocks PARP enzymes involved in single-strand DNA break repair, leading to accumulation of DNA damage. In cells deficient in homologous recombination (e.g., BRCA-mutant cells), this results in synthetic lethality.

a monoclonal antibody that blocks PD-1, restoring T-cell activity against tumors brand name Keytruda

An antibiotic obtained from the bacterium Streptomyces peuceticus that is used as an anticancer drug Nicknamed “Red Devil”