Most chemotherapy treatment plans include several chemotherapy drugs to get the most effective treatment for the type of cancer that you have. By using a combination of different drugs, you will be able to destroy a greater number of the cancerous cells.
The drugs selected for your chemotherapy treatment have been tested in clinical trials and proven to be the most effective for destroying particular types, stages and grades of cancer. Other considerations for selecting chemotherapy drugs include your age, health and tolerance of side effects.
Types of Chemotherapy
Alkylating medications - Alkylating medications work by blocking DNA replication of the cancer cells. This interferes with the tumor's ability to grow. Alkylating agents can destroy cancerous cells during any phase of the cell's cycle. These medications are most commonly used for cancer of the lungs, breasts, and ovaries.
Nitrosoureas medications - Nitrosoureas use alkylation to hinder DNA "repairing" enzymes required for cell survival; therefore, they are called alkylating agents. Because they can cross the blod-brain barrier, they are typically used for brain tumors.
Antimetabolite medications - Antimetabolites are effective in blocking the enzymes cancerous cells need to survive and grow. They work by interfering with DNA and RNA growth. Antimetabolites are only effective during the Synthesis (S) phase of the cell cycle. (It is during the synthesis phase that DNA is duplicated before the cell divides.)
Anti-tumor Antibiotic medications - Anti-tumor Antibiotics work by interfering with the cancerous cell's DNA. This interference blocks enzymes, disrupts cell division, and changes the cell membrane of the cancerous cells.
Mitotic Inhibitor medications - Mitotic inhibitors inhibit cell division of the cancerous cells, or interfere with the enzyme production required for cell reproduction. Mitotic inhibitors work during the Mitosis (M) phase of the cell cycle.
Sources: Mayo Clinic and American Cancer Society
Updated: 01/14/05
