How do chemotherapies work?

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to destroy cancer cells. It usually works by keeping the cancer cells from growing, dividing, and making more cells. Because cancer cells usually grow and divide faster than normal cells, chemotherapy has more of an effect on cancer cells.

How do antimetabolites act as antineoplastic agents?

Antimetabolites are a class of anticancer drugs defined as compounds, structurally similar to natural purine or pyrimidine base, nucleoside or nucleotides, molecules needed to carry out primary metabolic reactions that by virtue of their similarity act as analogues of a normal metabolites, interfere with the normal …

How do antitumor antibiotics work?

Antitumor antibiotics are cell cycle nonspecific. They act by binding with DNA and preventing RNA (ribonucleic acid) synthesis, a key step in the creation of proteins, which are necessary for cell survival. They are not the same as antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections.

How does cytotoxic chemotherapy work?

Cytotoxic means toxic to cells. A cytotoxic drug is a substance that results in cell damage or cell death. During the chemotherapy process, the chemotherapy drug enters the blood stream and circulates throughout the body, targeting rapidly dividing cells.

How does an antimetabolite work on a cell?

They work by mimicking the molecules that a cell needs to grow. Cells are tricked into taking in the drugs and then using the antimetabolites instead of their normal building blocks of genetic material: RNA and DNA. With the drugs on board, the cells can no longer copy their DNA, so they can’t divide into new cells.

Why are antimetabolites called cytotoxic drugs?

Antimetabolites are called a “cytotoxic” type of drug because they kill cells. They work by mimicking the molecules that a cell needs to grow. Cells are tricked into taking in the drugs and then using the antimetabolites instead of their normal building blocks of genetic material: RNA and DNA.

When is the most effective time to give antimetabolites?

Most are phase-specific, acting during the S-phase of the cell cycle. In general, these agents have been most effective when cell proliferation is rapid. Their efficacy is furthermore greater over a prolonged period of time, so they are usually given continuously or at least over several days.

How are antimetabolites used to treat skin cancer?

Antimetabolites used for skin cancers are available as creams that you rub on the affected skin are once or twice a day. The benefit of taking antimetabolite drugs to treat cancer is that the drugs kill cancer cells, which can help you live longer and make your tumor stop growing or shrink.