Chemotherapy Biotherapy Certification ONS Practice Testq

During which phase of the cell cycle do mitotic inhibitors demonstrate their effects?

1. G1 phase

2. G2 phase

3. S phase

4. M phase

The correct answer is: M phase

Mitotic inhibitors are a class of drugs that specifically target the M phase of the cell cycle, which is when mitosis, or cell division, occurs. These inhibitors work by disrupting the process of spindle formation necessary for chromosomal segregation, effectively preventing the cell from completing mitosis. This action exploits the critical period when cells are preparing to divide, thereby halting the progression of the cell cycle and leading to cell death, particularly in rapidly dividing cancer cells. While the other phases, such as G1, G2, and S, involve important preparations for DNA synthesis and cell division, mitotic inhibitors do not exert their primary effects during these phases. Instead, their action is specifically focused on disrupting the actual process of mitosis, emphasizing their unique role in cancer treatment. Understanding the phase in which these drugs operate is crucial for effectively using them in chemotherapy regimens.