Anticancer Drugs — Flashcards

Flashcard 101: Cladribine is activated primarily in _____, and works by inhibiting DNA polymerase and ribonucleotide reductase.

Answer: lymphocytes

Extra: Cladribine is a purine analog used in the treatment of Hairy Cell Leukemia. Key points: 1. **Activation**: It is phosphorylated by deoxycytidine kinase to its active form (2-CdATP). This occurs primarily in lymphocytes due to their high kinase/nucleotidase ratio. 2. **Mechanism**: It inhibits **DNA polymerase** and **ribonucleotide reductase**, and causes DNA strand breaks. 3. **ADA Relationship**: Cladribine is notably **resistant** to degradation by Adenosine Deaminase (ADA), which allows it to accumulate in cells. *Note: **Pentostatin** is the drug that works by inhibiting ADA.*

Flashcard 102: Acute promyelocytic leukemia is treated with _____, a vitamin A derivative, as well as arsenic

Answer: all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA)

Flashcard 103: The new FDA-approved immune checkpoint inhibitor for carcinoma endometrium is _____.

Answer: pembrolizumab

Flashcard 104: Patients with Menetrier's disease can be treated with _____ (monoclonal antibody against EGFR)

Answer: cetuximab

Flashcard 105: Which MAPK inhibitor is approved for treatment of plexiform neurofibroma?_____

Answer: Selumetinib

Flashcard 106: _____ is a dual inhibitor of epidermal growth factor (EGFR) and human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER 2) tyrosine kinase.

Answer: Lapatinib

Flashcard 107: Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome is most commonly associated with use of high-dose _____

Answer: busulfan

Flashcard 108: Which drug is used for trastuzumab refractory breast cancer?_____

Answer: Lapatinib/Neratinib

Flashcard 109: Which monoclonal antibody is indicated against VEGF receptor?_____

Answer: Ramucirumab

Flashcard 110: _____ is indicated as a first-line treatment for the management of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma

Answer: Sorafenib