Types of Chemotherapy
Alkylating agents
Alkylating agents are most active in the resting phase of the cell.
These types of drugs are cell-cycle non-specific. There are several types
of alkylating agents used in chemotherapy treatments:
- Mustard gas derivatives: Mechlorethamine, Cyclophosphamide, Chlorambucil,
Melphalan, and Ifosfamide.
- Ethylenimines: Thiotepa and Hexamethylmelamine.
- Alkylsulfonates: Busulfan.
- Hydrazines and Triazines: Altretamine, Procarbazine, Dacarbazine and Temozolomide.
- Nitrosureas: Carmustine, Lomustine and Streptozocin. Nitrosureas are
unique because, unlike most types of chemo treatments, they can cross the blood-brain
barrier. They can be useful in treating brain tumors.
- Metal salts: Carboplatin, Cisplatin, and Oxaliplatin.
Plant Alkaloids
Plant alkaloids are chemotherapy treatments derived made from
certain types of plants. The vinca alkaloids are made from the periwinkle
plant (catharanthus rosea). The taxanes are made from the bark of the Pacific Yew
tree (taxus). The vinca alkaloids and taxanes are also known as antimicrotubule
agents. The podophyllotoxins are derived from the May apple plant. Camptothecan
analogs are derived from the Asian "Happy Tree" (Camptotheca acuminata). Podophyllotoxins
and camptothecan analogs are also known as topoisomerase inhibitors, which are used
in certain types of chemotherapy. The plant alkaloids are cell-cycle specific.
This means they attack the cells during various phases of division.
- Vinca alkaloids: Vincristine, Vinblastine and Vinorelbine.
- Taxanes: Paclitaxel and Docetaxel.
- Podophyllotoxins: Etoposide and Tenisopide.
- Camptothecan analogs: Irinotecan and Topotecan.
Antitumor Antibiotics
Antitumor antibiotics are chemo treatments made from natural products produced
by species of the soil fungus Streptomyces. These drugs act during multiple
phases of the cell cycle and are considered cell-cycle specific. There are
several types of antitumor antibiotics:
- Anthracyclines: Doxorubicin, Daunorubicin, Epirubicin, Mitoxantrone, and Idarubicin.
- Chromomycins: Dactinomycin and Plicamycin.
- Miscellaneous: Mitomycin and Bleomycin.
Antimetabolites
Antimetabolites are types of chemotherapy treatments that are very
similar to normal substances within the cell. When the cells incorporate these
substances into the cellular metabolism, they are unable to divide. Antimetabolites
are cell-cycle specific. They attack cells at very specific phases in the
cycle. Antimetabolites are classified according to the substances with which
they interfere.
- Folic acid antagonist: Methotrexate.
- Pyrimidine antagonist: 5-Fluorouracil, Foxuridine, Cytarabine, Capecitabine,
and Gemcitabine.
- Purine antagonist: 6-Mercaptopurine and 6-Thioguanine.
- Adenosine deaminase inhibitor: Cladribine, Fludarabine, Nelarabine and
Pentostatin.
Topoisomerase inhibitors
Toposiomerase inhibitors are types of chemotherapy drugs that interfere with
the action of topoisomerase enzymes (topoisomerase I and II). During the process
of chemo treatments, topoisomerase enzymes control the manipulation of the structure
of DNA necessary for replication.
- Topoisomerase I inhibitors: Ironotecan, topotecan
- Topoisomerase II inhibitors: Amsacrine, etoposide, etoposide phosphate, teniposide
Miscellaneous Antineoplastics
Several useful types of chemotherapy drugs are unique:
- Ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor: Hydroxyurea.
- Adrenocortical steroid inhibitor: Mitotane
- Enzymes: Asparaginase and Pegaspargase.
- Antimicrotubule agent: Estramustine
- Retinoids: Bexarotene, Isotretinoin, Tretinoin (ATRA)
Beyond the aforementioned types of chemotherapy, many other types of chemo treatments
exist, such as targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and hormone therapy.
More Chemotherapy Information:
Chemotherapy Terms
Chemotherapy
Protocols - How Chemotherapy Works
How Chemotherapy Is Given
How Doctors Decide Which Chemotherapy Drugs To Give
How Long Chemotherapy Is Given
How To Tell If Chemotherapy Is Working
Cancer Cells & Chemotherapy
Types
of Chemotherapy
Targeted
Therapy
The Immune
System
About
Immunotherapy
Hormone
Therapy
Chemoporotective
Agents
Chemotherapy Resistance
Short & Long Term Side Effects of Chemotherapy
Nadir
Cancer Clinical Trials