How does chemotherapy affect cell-cycle?

Chemotherapy kills cells that are in the process of splitting into 2 new cells. Body tissues are made of billions of individual cells. Once we are fully grown, most of the body’s cells don’t divide and multiply much. They only divide if they need to repair damage.

What part of cell-cycle do chemotherapy drugs target?

Antimetabolites are cell cycle specific. Antimetabolites are most effective during the S-phase of cell division because they primarily act upon cells undergoing synthesis of new DNA for formation of new cells. The toxicities associated with these drugs are seen in cells that are growing and dividing quickly.

Why is the cell cycle important for chemotherapy drugs?

The scheduling of chemotherapy is set based on the type of cells, rate at which they divide, and the time at which a given drug is likely to be effective. This is why chemotherapy is typically given in cycles. Chemotherapy is most effective at killing cells that are rapidly dividing.

Which phase of the cell cycle is chemo most effective?

By contrast, the S phase is the synthetic phase of the cell cycle. DNA replication is most active in this phase and many chemotherapy agents work in this phase. G 2 represents a time when mostly RNA (and some protein) is actively produced. Mitosis, or actual cell division, occurs during the M phase.

How does chemotherapy related to cell cycle?

Chemotherapy works with the cell cycle Every time any new cell is formed, it goes through a usual process to become a fully functioning (or mature) cell. The process involves a series of phases and is called the cell cycle. Chemotherapy drugs target cells at different phases of the cell cycle.

What is a typical chemo cycle?

You may receive chemotherapy in cycles. A cycle is a period of chemotherapy treatment followed by a period of rest. For instance, you might receive chemotherapy every day for 1 week followed by 3 weeks with no chemotherapy. These 4 weeks make up one cycle. The rest period gives your body a chance to recover and build new healthy cells.

What are the different types of chemotherapy?

Three common types of chemotherapy include intravenous (IV) chemotherapy, oral chemotherapy and subcutaneous or intramuscular injections. Single course or multiple course chemotherapy might be administered alone or in combination with other treatments, depending on the cancer type and how far it has progressed.

Does chemotherapy damage DNA?

Chemotherapy can cause some damage to dna but it is usually difficult to detect and it is quickly repaired by the defense mechanisms that normal cells have. Cancer cells lack such repair capabilities and as a result can not repair the damage and are eliminated via a process called apoptosis ( also called programmed cell death).