A 42-year-old man with non-small cell lung cancer is enrolled in a clinical trial for a new chemotherapeutic drug. The drug prevents microtubule depolymerization by binding to the beta subunit of tubulin. The mechanism of action of this new drug is most similar to which of the following?
ABleomycin
BIrinotecan
CVincristine
DCladribine
EPaclitaxel
A 71-year-old woman presents to her hematologist-oncologist for follow up after having begun doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide in addition to radiation therapy for the treatment of her stage 3 breast cancer. Her past medical history is significant for preeclampsia, hypertension, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and hypercholesterolemia. She currently smokes 1 pack of cigarettes per day, drinks a glass of wine per day, and denies any illicit drug use. The vital signs include: temperature 36.7°C (98.0°F), blood pressure 126/74 mm Hg, heart rate 111/min, and respiratory rate 23/min. On physical examination, the pulses are strong and irregular, she has a grade 3/6 holosystolic murmur heard best at the left upper sternal border, clear bilateral breath sounds, and erythema over her site of radiation. Which of the following statements regarding doxorubicin is true?
ADoxorubicin has a maximum lifetime dose, due to the risk of cardiac toxicity
BDoxorubicin has a maximum lifetime dose, due to the risk of pulmonary toxicity
CDoxorubicin will increase her risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE)
DDoxorubicin frequently causes an acneiform rash
EDoxorubicin frequently causes cystitis
A 38-year-old woman is diagnosed with a stage IIIa infiltrating ductal carcinoma involving the left breast. The tumor is ER/PR positive, HER-2 negative, poorly differentiated Bloom-Richardson grade 3. 4/20 regional nodes are positive. The patient undergoes a lumpectomy with axillary lymph node dissection, followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy to the left breast and axilla. Her chemotherapy regimen involves doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and paclitaxel. Following completion of the intensive phase, she is started on tamoxifen as an adjuvant therapy. 6 months later, she presents with increasing fatigue, orthopnea, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. Physical examination reveals the presence of an S3 gallop, jugular venous distension (JVD), pedal edema, and ascites. She is diagnosed with congestive cardiac failure and admitted for further management. An echocardiogram confirms the diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy with severe systolic dysfunction and an ejection fraction of 10%. Her medical history prior to the diagnosis of breast cancer is negative for any cardiac conditions. The baseline echocardiogram prior to starting chemotherapy and a 12-lead electrocardiogram were normal. Which of the following is most likely responsible for her current cardiac condition?
ACyclophosphamide
BRadiation therapy
CMyocarditis
DDoxorubicin
ETamoxifen
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