what are the latest cancer drugs?

Answer 1

There are a number of different cancer fighting drugs that are available depending on the type and severity of cancer that is present. The following information is from wikipedia.org and may be helpful to you. I'd also suggest looking at eMedicine.com from additional information. Of course the best information on this topic would be from a medical oncologist during a consultation regarding a specific cancer in an individual patient.

Alkylating agents (L01A)

Alkylating agents are so named because of their ability to add alkyl groups to many electronegative groups under conditions present in cells. Cisplatin and carboplatin, as well as oxaliplatin are alkylating agents.


Other agents are mechloethamine, cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil. They work by chemically modifying a cell's DNA.

Anti-metabolites (L01B)

Anti-metabolites masquerade as purine ((azathioprine, mercaptopurine)) or pyrimidine - which become the building blocks of DNA. They prevent these substances becoming incorporated in to DNA during the "S" phase (of the cell cycle), stopping normal development and division. They also affect RNA synthesis. Due to their efficiency, these drugs are the most widely used cytostatics.

Plant alkaloids and terpenoids (L01C)

These alkaloids are derived from plants and block cell division by preventing microtubule function. Microtubules are vital for cell division and without them it can not occur. The main examples are vinca alkaloids and taxanes.

Vinca alkaloids (L01CA)

Vinca alkaloids bind to specific sites on tubulin, inhibiting the assembly of tubulin into microtubules (M phase of the cell cycle). They are derived from the Madagascar periwinkle, Catharanthus roseus (formerly known as Vinca rosea). The vinca alkaloids include:

* Vincristine
* Vinblastine
* Vinorelbine
* Vindesine

Podophyllotoxin (L01CB)

Podophyllotoxin is a plant-derived compound used to produce two other cytostatic drugs, etoposide and teniposide. They prevent the cell from entering the G1 phase (the start of DNA replication) and the replication of DNA (the S phase). The exact mechanism of its action still has to be elucidated.

The substance has been primarily obtained from the American Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum). Recently it has been discovered that a rare Himalayan Mayapple (Podophyllum hexandrum) contains it in a much greater quantity, but as the plant is endangered, its supply is limited. Studies have been conducted to isolate the genes involved in the substance's production, so that it could be obtained recombinantively.

Taxanes (L01CD)

Taxanes are derived from the Yew Tree. Paclitaxel is derived from the bark of the European Yew Tree while Docetaxel is derived from the pine needle of the Pacific Yew Tree. Taxanes enhance stability of microtubules, preventing the separation of chromosomes during anaphase. Taxanes include:

* Paclitaxel
* Docetaxel

Topoisomerase inhibitors (L01CB and L01XX)

Topoisomerases are essential enzymes that maintain the topology of DNA. Inhibition of type I or type II topoisomerases interferes with both transcription and replication of DNA by upsetting proper DNA supercoiling.

* Some type I topoisomerase inhibitors include camptothecins: irinotecan and topotecan.

* Examples of type II inhibitors include amsacrine, etoposide, etoposide phosphate, and teniposide. These are semisynthetic derivatives of epipodophyllotoxins, alkaloids naturally occurring in the root of mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum).

Antitumour antibiotics (L01D)

The most important immunosuppressant from this group is dactinomycin, which is used in kidney transplantations.


Monoclonal antibodies

These work by targeting tumour specific antigens, thus enhancing the host's immune response to tumour cells to which the agent attaches itself. Examples are trastuzumab (Herceptin) and rituximab (Rituxan).

Hormonal therapy

Several malignancies respond to hormonal therapy. Strictly speaking, this is not chemotherapy. Cancer arising from certain tissues, including the mammary and prostate glands, may be inhibited or stimulated by appropriate changes in hormone balance.

* Steroids (often dexamethasone) can inhibit tumour growth or the associated edema (tissue swelling), and may cause regression of lymph node malignancies.
* Prostate cancer is often sensitive to finasteride, an agent that blocks the peripheral conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone.
* Breast cancer cells often highly express the estrogen and/or progesterone receptor. Inhibiting the production (with aromatase inhibitors) or action (with tamoxifen) of these hormones can often be used as an adjunct to therapy.
* Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH), such as goserelin possess a paradoxic negative feedback effect followed by inhibition of the release of FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone), when given continuously.

Some other tumours are also hormone dependent, although the specific mechanism is still unclear.

Answer 2

Viet, So sorry to hearken to about you mom. My mom exceeded from lung cancer in Jan. 2007. Ask about Tarceva - that is a clean drug and is meant to artwork properly with those who're no longer in level 4. also, you should have self belief your Oncologist as a previous answerer stated, yet you also should be proactive. do no longer imagine that the dr. is going to allow you to recognize each and every thing... ask questions, do learn, learn. expertise is ability. i'm hoping that you and your mom share many many chuffed years jointly!

Answer 3

Good luck.