Alkylating agents used in chemotherapy to fight cancer cells


Alkylating agents

Alkylating agents alter DNA structure with the poorly understood procedure for alkylation, which ends in cross-linking and strand breaking of DNA and destruction of their template.

Destruction of the DNA genetic template terminates replication of the information required for cellular division and results in cell lysis. The alkylating agents are referred to as radiomimetic simply because they mimic those things of radiotherapy on the cells.

Nitrosoureas

Nitrosoureas are alkylating agents that also destroy DNA so that synthesis can't occur, but they're unique in that they're lipid-soluble and cross the blood-brain barrier in to the central nervous system.

Antitumor antibiotics

Most antitumor antibiotics are isolated from fermented broths of numerous Streptomyces bacteria. The focus of the cytotoxicity may be the DNA. These drugs hinder DNA-directed RNA synthesis by intercalating between your base pairs of DNA and generating toxic oxygen-free radicals, causing single- or double-stranded DNA breaks.

Hormones and hormone antagonists

Hormones and hormone antagonists really are a diverse group of drugs that are beneficial in cancer therapy. Some hormones affect the cellular environment and modify the permeability of the cell membrane in ways that will affect cell growth.

These drugs, that are hormonal or hormone-like agents, inhibit tumor proliferation by blocking or antagonizing the naturally sourced substance that stimulates tumor growth.

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This article was sent to us by: Norman Howell at 07252011

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