Chemotherapy Biotherapy Certification ONS Practice Testq

Which drug classification is known for cell cycle specificity?

1. Antimetabolites, topoisomerase inhibitors, vinca plant alkaloids

2. Antitumor antibiotics

3. Alkylating agents

4. Hypoxic cell sensitizers

The correct answer is: Antimetabolites, topoisomerase inhibitors, vinca plant alkaloids

The classification of drugs known for cell cycle specificity includes antimetabolites, topoisomerase inhibitors, and vinca plant alkaloids. These agents have specific targets in the cell cycle, allowing them to influence cancer cell proliferation at different stages. Antimetabolites mimic the building blocks of DNA and RNA, disrupting the synthesis of nucleic acids during the S-phase of the cell cycle, where DNA replication occurs. Topoisomerase inhibitors interfere with enzymes that are crucial for DNA unwinding and replication, affecting the S and G2 phases. Vinca plant alkaloids, on the other hand, disrupt microtubule formation during mitosis, specifically targeting the M-phase of the cell cycle. This specificity is important in cancer treatment as it helps to maximize the effectiveness of the drugs by targeting rapidly dividing cancer cells while sparing normal cells that are not in the same cycle phase. In contrast, the other classifications, such as antitumor antibiotics and alkylating agents, have differing mechanisms of action that do not align with the specificity for certain phases of the cell cycle, making them less precise in targeting cells based on their cycle phases. Hypoxic cell sensitizers are designed to enhance the effectiveness of treatment in low oxygen conditions but do