Medication Summary
The goals of pharmacotherapy are to induce remission, to prevent complications, and to reduce morbidity.
Chemotherapeutic agents
Class Summary
These drugs inhibit cell growth and proliferation. Agents used include cisplatin, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, carboplatin, and paclitaxel.
Cisplatin (Platinol)
Inhibits DNA synthesis and thus cell proliferation by causing DNA cross-links and denaturation of double helix.
Doxorubicin (Adriamycin, Rubex)
Inhibits topoisomerase II and produces free radicals, which may cause the destruction of DNA. Combination of these events can, in turn, inhibit the growth of neoplastic cells.
Carboplatin (Paraplatin)
Analog of cisplatin. Has same efficacy as cisplatin but with better toxicity profile.
Dose is based on following formula:
Total dose (mg) = (target AUC) X (GFR = 25), where AUC (area under plasma concentration-time curve) is expressed in mg/mL/min and GFR (glomerular filtration rate) is expressed in mL/min.
Cyclophosphamide (Neosar, Cytoxan)
Chemically related to nitrogen mustards. As an alkylating agent, the mechanism of action of the active metabolites may involve cross-linking of DNA, which may interfere with growth of normal and neoplastic cells.
Paclitaxel (Taxol)
Mechanisms of action are tubulin polymerization and microtubule stabilization.
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