Hematology Oncology: Medications, Mechanisms, and Uses

Hematology oncology

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Introduction

Cancer treatment, especially in the field of hematology oncology, involves a variety of medications designed to target cancer cells in different ways. Below is a detailed list of commonly used cancer medications, including their mechanisms, uses, and side effects. This comprehensive guide aims to provide insights into the various drugs employed in treating cancer, based on established medical sources and clinical guidelines.

Chemotherapy Drugs

Cisplatin

• Mechanism: Cisplatin causes DNA crosslinking, leading to apoptosis (cell death) .

• Uses: Treats various cancers, including testicular, ovarian, bladder, and lung cancers .

• Side Effects: Nephrotoxicity (kidney damage), neurotoxicity (nerve damage), ototoxicity (hearing loss), nausea, vomiting.

Cyclophosphamide

• Mechanism: Alkylating agent that causes DNA crosslinking and prevents cell division .

• Uses: Used for breast cancer, ovarian cancer, leukemia, and lymphoma .

• Side Effects: Myelosuppression (bone marrow suppression), hemorrhagic cystitis (bladder inflammation), alopecia (hair loss), nausea, vomiting.

Doxorubicin

• Mechanism: Intercalates DNA, inhibiting topoisomerase II and causing DNA damage .

• Uses: Effective against breast cancer, bladder cancer, Kaposi’s sarcoma, lymphoma, and leukemia .

• Side Effects: Cardiotoxicity (heart damage), myelosuppression, alopecia, nausea, vomiting.

Paclitaxel

• Mechanism: Stabilizes microtubules and inhibits cell division .

• Uses: Used for ovarian, breast, and non-small cell lung cancers .

• Side Effects: Myelosuppression, peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage), hypersensitivity reactions, alopecia.

Targeted Therapy

Imatinib (Gleevec)

• Mechanism: Tyrosine kinase inhibitor that blocks BCR-ABL kinase .

• Uses: Treats chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) .

• Side Effects: Fluid retention, muscle cramps, rash, fatigue, gastrointestinal disturbances.

Trastuzumab (Herceptin)

• Mechanism: Monoclonal antibody targeting HER2/neu receptor .

• Uses: Used for HER2-positive breast cancer and gastric cancer .

• Side Effects: Cardiotoxicity (heart damage), infusion reactions, pulmonary toxicity.

Rituximab (Rituxan)

• Mechanism: Monoclonal antibody targeting CD20 on B-cells .

• Uses: Treats non-Hodgkin lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) .

• Side Effects: Infusion reactions, immunosuppression, risk of infections.

Immunotherapy

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda)

• Mechanism: PD-1 inhibitor that enhances the immune response against cancer cells .

• Uses: Treats melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), head and neck cancers, and more .

• Side Effects: Fatigue, rash, diarrhea, immune-related adverse events (e.g., colitis, hepatitis).

Nivolumab (Opdivo)

• Mechanism: PD-1 inhibitor that boosts the immune system to attack cancer cells .

• Uses: Used for melanoma, NSCLC, renal cell carcinoma, and Hodgkin lymphoma .

• Side Effects: Fatigue, rash, cough, immune-related adverse events.

Hormonal Therapy

Tamoxifen

• Mechanism: Selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that blocks estrogen receptors .

• Uses: Used for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer .

• Side Effects: Hot flashes, increased risk of endometrial cancer, thromboembolic events.

Anastrozole (Arimidex)

• Mechanism: Aromatase inhibitor that lowers estrogen levels .

• Uses: Used for postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer .

• Side Effects: Bone density loss, joint pain, hot flashes, nausea.

Biologic Therapy

Bevacizumab (Avastin)

• Mechanism: Monoclonal antibody that inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) .

• Uses: Treats colorectal cancer, NSCLC, renal cell carcinoma, and glioblastoma .

• Side Effects: Hypertension, bleeding, thrombosis, gastrointestinal perforation.

Cetuximab (Erbitux)

• Mechanism: Monoclonal antibody targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) .

• Uses: Used for colorectal cancer and head and neck cancer .

• Side Effects: Acneiform rash, infusion reactions, hypomagnesemia.

Conclusion

The medications listed above are pivotal in the treatment of various types of cancer. Each drug has a unique mechanism of action, offering different benefits and risks. These treatments are part of a multidisciplinary approach to cancer care, aiming to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Sources:

1. National Cancer Institute. Cisplatin. Available at: NCI

2. American Cancer Society. Chemotherapy Drugs. Available at: ACS

3. Mayo Clinic. Cisplatin (Intravenous Route) Description and Brand Names. Available at: Mayo Clinic

4. National Library of Medicine. Cyclophosphamide. Available at: NLM

5. American Cancer Society. Cyclophosphamide. Available at: ACS

6. Mayo Clinic. Cyclophosphamide (Oral Route) Side Effects. Available at: Mayo Clinic

7. National Cancer Institute. Doxorubicin. Available at: NCI

8. American Cancer Society. Doxorubicin. Available at: ACS

9. Mayo Clinic. Doxorubicin (Intravenous Route) Side Effects. Available at: Mayo Clinic

10. National Cancer Institute. Paclitaxel. Available at: NCI

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12. Mayo Clinic. Paclitaxel (Intravenous Route) Side Effects. Available at: Mayo Clinic

13. National Cancer Institute. Imatinib (Gleevec). Available at: NCI

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22. National Cancer Institute. Pembrolizumab (Keytruda). Available at: NCI

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28. National Cancer Institute. Tamoxifen. Available at: NCI

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31. National Cancer Institute. Anastrozole (Arimidex). Available at: NCI

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34. National Cancer Institute. Bevacizumab (Avastin). Available at: NCI

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39. Mayo Clinic. Cetuximab (Intravenous Route) Side Effects. Available at: Mayo Clinic